Menulis Tanpa Sekat: Menyelami Dunia Puisi yang Bebas dan Penuh Ekspresi

Abstract

Writing seems boring to most students, a view reinforced by their belief that writing requires more understanding to produce a piece of work. This issue needs special attention. An initial step can be made by introducing free verse poetry writing in the 8th-grade curriculum. Free verse poetry is a form of literary work that allows freedom to express emotions and ideas without being constrained by a specific structure or form. This is, of course, in stark contrast to the students' previous understanding. Language skills do not always have to be monotonous; it is important to incorporate a touch of literature. Therefore, this study aims to explore the creative process of writing through the content analysis of poems written freely by students. Each poem provides an insight into the students' emotions. Using a qualitative approach, the study analyzes 21 student poems that were collected. This research analyzes literary elements such as diction, metaphor, symbolism, and theme to examine how free verse poetry can enrich self-expression. The analysis results show that free verse poetry allows students to convey their emotions more authentically and deeply, providing freedom without being bound by rules, and offering insights into literacy through poetry.