Here's how you should format poems:
* Indentation: Each line of the poem should be indented, creating a distinct visual structure.
* Line Breaks: Preserve the original line breaks of the poem.
* Stanza Breaks: Use extra space between stanzas (groups of lines) to separate them.
Example:
Here's a poem by Robert Frost, properly formatted:
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Exceptions:
* Quoting a poem within a text: If you're quoting a poem within a larger piece of writing, then you'll use quotation marks to indicate the quote.
* Short poems within a larger work: Sometimes a short poem is integrated within a longer piece of writing, like a novel or a play. In these cases, it may be formatted as a block of text with indentations.
If you are unsure about formatting, it's always best to consult a style guide or ask your teacher or editor for guidance.