prose poem

plural prose poems · alternative prose-poem

1. literatureA literary text written in the manner of prose—without the fixed lines, rhyme, and meter often characteristic of poetry—but nonetheless clearly possessing some of the distinctive attributes of poetry, such as lyrical language, evocation of feeling, vivid imagery, metaphor, and linguistic devices like assonance or alliteration.

   In form and spirit the book is unique, a simple romantic narrative transmuted by sheer glow of beauty into a prose poem.

   1915, John Galsworthy, in Preface to Green Mansions: A Romance of the Tropical Forest (1904) by W. H. Hudson

   3 more examples

   "He is the author of a very wild Mystery, or dramatic prose-poem, in which the Ocean, Mont-Blanc, and the Cathedral of Strassburg have parts to play."

   1839, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, chapter 3, in Hyperion: A Romance

   Slayton made "Love Is All" the effort of his life. . . . It was a pure love-story, fine, elevated, romantic, passionate—a prose poem that set the divine blessing of love (I am transposing from the manuscript) high above all earthly gifts and honours.

   1910, O. Henry, “A Sacrifice Hit”, in Whirligigs

   So if you ask Lasseter about car love, you get an impromptu prose poem. "Car love," he says, "is the sound of a throaty V-8 rumbling and revving, the acceleration throwing you back in the seat—especially when you get on a beautiful, winding road and the light's dappling through the trees."

   2006 May 14, Richard Corliss, “Get Your Motor Running”, in Time