Imagism, a movement in early 20th-century poetry, advocated for:
* Direct Treatment of the "thing": Focusing on concrete images and sensory details.
* Clarity of expression: Avoiding unnecessary words and metaphors.
* Rhythm and musicality: Using free verse to achieve a natural, flowing rhythm.
While Imagists often favored *regular* rhythm and meter in their work, free verse, which emphasizes organic irregular rhythms and line lengths, became a key aspect of their movement.
Here's why:
* Free verse allows for a more natural and spontaneous expression of the image. The poet is not bound by traditional structures, enabling them to capture the essence of the "thing" in a more authentic way.
* The irregularity of the rhythm mirrors the irregular rhythms of everyday experience. It creates a sense of immediacy and authenticity.
Therefore, a poet who favors organic irregular rhythms and line lengths in their poetry is embracing a key principle of Imagism, specifically the use of free verse.