Poet Glyn Maxwell suggests that the line-break is the defining feature of poetry—poetry on the page at least. The decision where to break the line can be informed by different reasons. If you are following a particular metrical pattern or form, then that choice is, in a way, made for you. You are made to write into the form. In free verse, you may use the line break to emphasize a particular phrasing. What’s certain is that the last word on the line often receives particular attention by being positioned there (and this can be further intensified through the use of rhyme). Some poets avoid this intensity by deliberately ending lines on ‘small’ words.

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Two versions of a poem with line break and as prose poem:

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The Fear

I worried about running.
My fear grew legs
and raced me
to the finish line.

I worried about finishing
and my fear was lacquered,
shone: that fruit-sized
model of the globe

I wanted as a kid.
I turned it in my sleep -
crumpled countries,
oceans I couldn’t

name. I worried
about my name and fear
introduced itself
before me at the party.

I worried about the party
and fear was a drink,
a pale flute pushed 
into my hand.

I worried about drink,
so fear leaked
through the seams
of my clothes,

grew into a stain
on my wool coat
and people pretended
not to look at it.

Look - I’m still standing
in the corner
where you left me,
mid-sentence.

I’ve promised not
to move, but of course
I’m worried
about my promise

and fear is a pledge, 
a lifelong IOU note,
a signature that looks
like this.

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The Fear

I worried about running. My fear grew legs and raced me to the finish line. I worried about finishing and my fear was lacquered, shone: that fruit-sized model of the globe I wanted as a kid. I turned it in my sleep - distant countries, oceans I couldn’t name. I worried about my name and fear introduced itself before me at the party. I worried about the party and fear was a drink, a pale flute pushed into my hand. I worried about drink, so fear leaked through the seams of my clothes, grew into a stain on my wool coat and people pretended not to look. See - I’m still standing in the corner where you left me, mid-sentence. I’ve promised not to move, but of course I’m worried about my promise and fear is a pledge, a lifelong IOU, a signature that looks like this.

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(Text taken from the course)