Definition of the word prose poem

The term "prose poem" emerged in the late 19th century as a new literary form that combined the qualities of both prose and poetry. The term is credited to French poet and writer Stéphane Mallarmé, who coined it in the 1880s as a way to describe his own work, as well as that of other writers of the time, such as Arthur Rimbaud and Paul Verlaine. In French, the word for "prose poem" is "poème en prose," translating directly to "poem in prose." This denotes the distinctive feature of this literary form, in which the language is prosaic in its syntax and structure, yet still employs poetic techniques such as metaphor, imagery, and symbolism. The prose poem allowed writers of the time to experiment with the boundaries between genres and to break free from the rigid constraints of traditional poetic forms, as well as from the demands of realistic, narrative-driven prose. It also allowed writers to blur the lines between the personal and the universal, the subjective and the objective, creating a new form of literary expression that was at once lyrical, introspective, and reflective. Today, the prose poem has become a recognized literary form, with numerous published collections and prominent contemporary writers exploring its possibilities, including Paul Celan, Yannis Ritsos, and Carlo Vitali. Its origins in late-19th-century France, however, continue to imbue it with a legacy of avant-garde experimentation and boundary-pushing innovation, making it an ongoing source of inspiration and innovation in modern literature.