quick query on rhyme

[cel]

Is it considered correct, when writing in perfect rhyme, to rhyme plural and singular words, such as 'wrong' and 'tongs'? Or is it just implied that it's not correct because perfect rhyme is defined as having, among other things, an exact match in the ending consonant sounds? None of the sources I've checked mention anything.

[JohnBoddie]

cel,

The example you gave is more often considered to be an exact rhyme than a slant rhyme. This usage might reduce your changes for the grand prize in a formal poetry competition, but it's unlikely to raise the ire of editors.

JB

[cel]

Thanks for the clarification, John. I guess it's more of a personal preference, then, whether examples like the above constitute exact rhyme or not, but a strict formalist would be likely to say it doesn't.

thanks
cel

[JohnBoddie]

cel,

Even strict formalists will let plurals pass as exact rhyme if the context makes them better than tortured re-phrasing. Most strict formalists are, as a general rule, "pretty strict" rather than "obsessively strict".

JB

[cel]

Ah. Thanks again.

cel

[JHJ]

Cel,

There are varying degrees in tolerating imperfect assonantal end rhymes. If your poem is a candidate in a formal competition, or for publication in a strongly formalist journal or periodical, then it's probably best to go for the perfect rhyme. Even in those venues, there are exceptions, but poets and readers with strong formal inclinations are likely to call you on the lack of symmetry.

Use of approximate rhymes is best judged on how well they advance the poem. If they fit in context and the poem flows unobtrusively, you can get away with the loose fit. If the end rhyme is obtrusive because of the lack of correspondence in the rhyming pair, then you should probably take another look at the rhyme and see if you can't rewrite the poem to show that you have better imagination and skill than the loose rhyme indicates.

Jerry

[cel]

Thanks for the help Jerry, I'm glad you stopped in.

cel