The structure of a poem affects the readers' experience of the words.

We may write the poem simply as prose, and allow the natural rhythms to flow. However, in prose, we tend to read more quickly, and therefore we miss some subtlety amid the torrent of words. In poetry, the words are fewer; they are selected more carefully, and there are more highlights.

In free verse, words are grouped in a way that accents important words and plays upon certain rhythms. One word may be alone on a line, if it is vital; and others sit on their own separate line to relay their particular thought.

We can help the readers to notice important words by causing them to slow down in this way -- by breaking up the poem into certain single words or phrases. A good speaker does the same -- slowing or pausing to emphasize a point.