I’m curious about something, something about my poetic style:
Why do I think it is poetic to repete the same word or phrase three times? I do it over and over again, sometimes with reason, sometimes without. Seriously, does it even work? Anyone have a new device they think I should try? Anyone want to share a link to a poem that they have written that uses a repetition similar to this and where it works, so that I and other readers can check it out?
Well???
So you think I can 
hmmm… I think repetition sometimes builds a rhythm in poetry. It can also be for emphasis. I haven’t read enough of your poetry to know why you do it, but I think those are reasons I repeat things.
I use repetition at time. I do think it is effective.
Another thing I do is put one word on the last line of the poem to make it stand out. You almost force the reader to breath before that last line and to make the last word really linger.
Here are some examples of repetition in my work:
Uninvited
Beloved
The repetition can enhance a poem, making sound lyrical. Sometimes repetition can distract and sound childish, too. It depends on the context of the poem – I’m sure that, like all poetic devices, it has it’s place and can be both a boon and bane to a writing style or a particular poem.
Used well repitition is a very useful part of poetry, think of the best villanelles. Used badly though its irritating, think of the worst villanelles!
The most famous villanelle is probably Dylan Thomas’ Do Not Go Gently – an excellent examploe of how to use repitition to best effect
One of my favorite poems where repetition is used to strong effect is Gerard Manley Hopkins’ poem God’s Grandeur.
THE world is charged with the grandeur of God.
It will flame out, like shining from shook foil;
It gathers to greatness, like the ooze of oil
Crushed. Why do men then now not reck his rod?
Generations have trod, have trod, have trod;
_______________
Everyone has made interesting cases for repetition so far. I know that there are certain forms that make great use of it ehwn done right, Villanelles, as Crafty pointed out, can be nice. I love a good Pantoum. (If you don’t know what that is, look it up. a great classic form.)
What about in free verse, though. And why do so many of us want to use words repeated 3 times? and what are some more sorts of non-form centered repetition?
i am very interested in this as well, i use repitition as well, when it just feels right. not sure there is any reason for it, though.
here’s one i just did with repitition
http://wordsfromanauthor.blogspot.com/2008/02/sorrow-day-sky-went-away-my-heart.html
and here’s another
http://wordsfromanauthor.blogspot.com/2007/10/we-sit-upon-floor-our-hands-touch-there.html
Repetition is repeating as you all know easily and most of us are all poets some young some old and surprisingly all my town knows me for my poetry and Im only 14 almost all my poems have repetition and I think thats why so many like them