Formatting

[E.A Rumfield]

Maybe no the right word but what do people think about stylistic line spacing? I noticed a lot of poets use this, although with a lot more tact. Is it a publisher choice? Do you feel it adds or takes away from the poem? I would post an example but the site seems to correct that.

[hallaig]

Think its OK if it stands for a pause or long breath or break. If it's there for the sake of it, it's just stupid. In my opinion.

[OrphanPip]

Think its OK if it stands for a pause or long breath or break. If it's there for the sake of it, it's just stupid. In my opinion.

Well it can clearly be used for more than simply signifying a pause. Just sticking to English poetry it could be a reflection of influences from Chinese or Ancient Greek poetics, using syllabic lines. Dadaist sometimes used unconventional typography as part of their unconventional use of language itself. Then of course you have the sort of George Herbert style of poems, like "Easter Wings," where the typography also reflects the meaning of the poem. Herbert kind of hits you over the head with it, but there are a number of ways that typography can be used to produce meaning.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f3/GeorgeHerbertEasterWingsPatternPoem1633.jpg

[JBI]

It is dated by now if you ask me. If you do it, there better damn well be a reason for it. Especially if you are making concrete pictures.

[OrphanPip]

It is dated by now if you ask me. If you do it, there better damn well be a reason for it. Especially if you are making concrete pictures.

Concrete poetry never really became fashionable in English, for some reason it managed a bit more of a following in French and Spanish.

[Paulclem]

Digital techniques could well offer interesting ways to present poems.