11 Best Irregular Rhyme Scheme Poems

Irregular rhyme scheme poems do not follow a consistent or predictable rhyming pattern. This freedom allows poets to emphasize specific lines, create surprise, or mirror natural speech. Irregular schemes are often used in modern or experimental poetry to evoke emotion, challenge convention, or reflect chaotic or non-linear themes and moods.

Poem Explorer Poetry Archives

PDF Guide

Nationality:

Themes:

Emotions:

Topics:

Form:

Genre:

"> 73/100

Fire and Ice

by Robert Frost

‘Fire and Ice’ by Robert Frost explores a universal interest in the apocalypse. It has always been a phenomenon capable of capturing people’s minds.

While this nine-line poem uses ending words which all fall into an A, B, or C rhyme, there is no regular rhyme scheme throughout. The consistency of these rhymes reflects the certain annihilation of the earth discussed within the poem, while the irregular rhyme scheme reflects the inability to predict exactly what will spell the world's fate. Despite the absence of a strict rhyme scheme, the rhyme within this poem still lends to a catchy and memorable rhythm.

Some say the world will end in fire;

Some say in ice.

From what I've tasted of desire

PDF Guide

Nationality:

Themes:

Emotions:

Topics:

Form:

Genre:

"> 64/100

When All My Five and Country Senses See

by Dylan Thomas

‘When All My Five and Country Senses See’ describes the necessity of paying attention to one’s senses for love to function.

The poem does not follow a neat or traditional rhyme pattern like those found in Shakespearean or Petrarchan sonnets. Instead, it mixes true rhymes with half rhymes and slant rhymes. At some points, the sounds match more closely, such as in the final quatrain, while in other places they only almost rhyme. This creates an irregular rhyme scheme that feels unsettled and unpredictable, which suits Thomas’s style of writing and his focus on sound and emotion.

My one and noble heart has witnesses

In all love's countries, that will grope awake;

And when blind sleep drops on the spying senses,

The heart is sensual, though five eyes break.

PDF Guide

Nationality:

Themes:

Emotions:

Topics:

Form:

Genre:

"> 61/100

Phenomenal Woman

by Maya Angelou

‘Phenomenal Woman’ by Maya Angelou defies the stereotypes women are often faced with today. It is a poem filled with strength and determination.

The poem follows an irregular rhyme scheme, meaning there is no fixed or repeating pattern of rhyming lines throughout. Some lines rhyme naturally, while others do not, and the rhymes often appear in unexpected places. This creates a free and conversational flow, allowing Maya Angelou to focus more on the rhythm of her words and the strength of her message rather than sticking to strict rhyme rules. It makes the poem feel personal and spontaneous.

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size

But when I start to tell them,

They think I’m telling lies.

PDF Guide

Nationality:

Themes:

Emotions:

Topics:

Form:

Genre:

"> 60/100

39

by Henry Lawson

’39’ is a poem in which the narrator looks back on his life while eagerly awaiting his fortieth birthday and the years that will follow.

This poem uses an irregular rhyme scheme. The parts of the poem that could be seen as the verses use an unusual pattern, in which any four lines within form to distinct rhymes. However, the parts of the poem that resemble choruses do not adhere to this pattern and do not exactly rhyme, relying on repetition instead. The rhyme scheme gives the poem a sense of rhythm, despite being irregular. It helps the poem to feel as though it is a song.

I only woke this morning

To find the world is fair —

I'm going on for forty,

With scarcely one grey hair;

PDF Guide

Nationality:

Themes:

Emotions:

Topics:

Forms:

Genres:

"> 59/100

Remembrance

by Maya Angelou

‘Remembrance’ by Maya Angelou explores themes of intimacy, love, and longing. It’s a beautiful poem that, briefly but memorably, describes a sexual interaction between lovers.

The poem does not follow a regular rhyme pattern. Some lines sound slightly similar, like “easy” and “bees,” and there are repeated words, but they do not form a clear or consistent structure. That is why the rhyme scheme is irregular. This kind of rhyme works well for the poem because it sounds more like someone quietly thinking or remembering. The looseness helps the poem feel more real, more emotional, and more personal.

Your hands easy

weight, teasing the bees

hived in my hair, your smile at the

slope of my cheek. On the

PDF Guide

Nationality:

Themes:

Emotions:

Topics:

Form:

Genre:

"> 58/100

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in

by E.E. Cummings

One of Cummings’ seminal pieces, this poem is also one of the greatest love poems ever written, with its beautiful refrain. It isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel – this is simply a person telling another person how much they care and it’s done in a timelessly beautiful way.

The poem follows an irregular rhyme scheme. While there are moments where lines seem to echo each other in sound, they do not stay consistent enough to create a clear pattern. Instead, Cummings uses his own structure to let the poem flow more like a conversation. This irregularity fits the intimacy of the poem because it feels personal and unrestrained, as if love itself is shaping the lines rather than any formal set of rules.

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in

my heart) i am never without it (anywhere

i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done

by only me is your doing, my darling)

PDF Guide

Nationality:

Themes:

Emotions:

Topics:

Forms:

Genres:

"> 57/100

Graveyard Blues

by Natasha Trethewey

‘Graveyard Blues’ is a journey of grief, the speaker finding solace among the names of the dead, with their mother’s name becoming a comfort.

Most of the poem follows a tight pattern where each stanza has three lines that rhyme with each other, like “down,” “down,” and “sound.” This gives us a repeated pattern of AAA across each tercet. But in the final stanza, the pattern shifts and only two lines are used, which rhyme as well. Because of this change in the final section, the overall rhyme scheme doesn’t stay the same from start to finish, so it’s best described as an Irregular Rhyme Scheme.

It rained the whole time we were laying her down;

Rained from church to grave when we put her down.

The suck of mud at our feet was a hollow sound.

When the preacher called out I held up my hand;

PDF Guide

Nationality:

Themes:

Emotions:

Topics:

Form:

Genre:

"> 57/100

Where We Belong, A Duet

by Maya Angelou

‘Where We Belong, A Duet’ by Maya Angelou is an uplifting poem about how satisfying finding a true connection to another person can be.

The poem uses rhyme often, but it does not follow one clear or repeating pattern all the way through. Some lines rhyme perfectly, like “faces” and “places,” or “care” and “square,” but the rhyming switches from stanza to stanza and sometimes appears inside the line rather than at the end. This creates a soft, musical feeling that matches the duet style of the poem. Because of these changes and scattered rhymes, the rhyme scheme is best described as irregular.

In every town and village,

In every city square,

In crowded places

I searched the faces

PDF Guide

Nationality:

Themes:

Emotions:

Topics:

Form:

Genre:

"> 56/100

Exposure

by Wilfred Owen

‘Exposure’ offers an in-depth view of life in the frosted winter of Northern France, where soldiers on duty would be left exposed to the elements.

Most stanzas begin with a clear ABBA pattern in the first four lines, creating a sense of being trapped or enclosed. However, the fifth line always breaks that pattern completely, either by repeating a phrase like “but nothing happens” or ending in a sound that does not rhyme with the rest. Because this final line does not follow any set structure, the overall rhyme scheme is irregular.

Watching, we hear the mad gusts tugging on the wire,

Like twitching agonies of men among its brambles.

Northward, incessantly, the flickering gunnery rumbles,

Far off, like a dull rumour of some other war.

#10

PDF Guide

Nationality:

Themes:

Emotions:

Topics:

Form:

Genre:

"> 53/100

Envy

by Mary Lamb

By utilizing different types of flowers, Lamb’s ‘Envy’ showcases that envy is an unnecessary quality to possess.

The poem follows an irregular rhyme scheme, specifically AABCCB in each stanza. This means the first two lines rhyme, the third and sixth lines rhyme, and the fourth and fifth lines rhyme together. The pattern gives the poem a soft and flowing rhythm. It feels structured but still unique, allowing the message to come through in a calm and thoughtful way.

his rose-tree is not made to bear

The violet blue, nor lily fair,

Nor the sweet mignionet:

And if this tree were discontent,

#11

PDF Guide

Nationality:

Themes:

Emotions:

Topics:

Forms:

Genre:

"> 53/100

One More Round

by Maya Angelou

‘One More Round’ features a never-ending cycle of hard work, which draws on African American history throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.

The poem uses an irregular rhyme scheme because it shifts between two patterns. In the main stanzas, the lines follow an AABCB pattern, where the first two lines rhyme and the third and fifth lines rhyme, with the fourth line standing apart. The chorus sections follow an ABAB pattern, where the first and third lines rhyme and the second and fourth lines rhyme. This mix creates a musical flow while keeping the rhythm varied and engaging.

There ain't no pay beneath the sun

As sweet as rest when a job's well done.

I was born to work up to my grave

Home » Collection » Irregular Rhyme Scheme Poems

11 Best Irregular Rhyme Scheme Poems

General

Poetry+

Discover

Useful Links

11 Best Irregular Rhyme Scheme Poems

by Robert Frost

by Dylan Thomas

by Maya Angelou

by Henry Lawson

by Maya Angelou

by E.E. Cummings

by Natasha Trethewey

by Maya Angelou

by Wilfred Owen

by Mary Lamb

by Maya Angelou

Narrow Your Search

We Look Deep into Poetry

General

Poetry+

Discover

Useful Links