What is a Blank Verse Poem?
A blank verse is a poem with no rhyme but does have iambic pentameter. This means it consists of lines of five feet, each foot being iambic, meaning two syllables long, one stressed followed by an unstressed.
The Structure of a Blank Verse Poem
Five feet of iambic syllables -
Sounding du DUM du DUM du DUM du DUM du DUM
each foot making the verse sound like it has heart beat rhythm.
An Example of a Blank Verse Poem
Furball Friend
Sweet pet by day, hunter by night. She sleeps,
she eats, she plays. My feet, caught in white paws.
She’s up the fence, watching her prey - a bird.
Poor thing, better run quick, ’cause watch, she’ll pounce!
She’ll sweetly beg for fuss, but don’t be fooled.
’Cause one minute she’ll purr and smile, then snap!
She’ll spit and hiss - and oh - surprise! A mouse.
He’s dead. A gift. Retracts her claws. Miaow!
Figure of eight between my legs, looks up
at me and purrs. The sound pulls my heartstrings.
Her big blue eyes like dinner plates - so cute.
Cunning she is, she knows I can’t resist.
Curling up tight, we sleep entwined as one.
Despite her quirks, I would not change a claw
of her. Cheeky Sammy: my snow-white queen.
Why don't you try writing a blank verse poem and enter it into one of our poetry competitions.
For information on poetry types other than a blank verse poem visit our poetry glossary – poetry types.
