* Simple, everyday language: They used words that were common and accessible to everyone, avoiding obscure vocabulary or overly complex sentence structures.
* Concrete imagery: They focused on creating vivid, detailed images through precise sensory descriptions, relying heavily on visual imagery but also incorporating sound, touch, smell, and taste.
* Free verse: They often abandoned traditional rhyme and meter, using free verse to allow the rhythm of the poem to be determined by the natural flow of the language and the imagery.
Here are some key aspects of their approach to sound:
* Avoidance of clichés: They sought to use fresh, original language, rejecting worn-out metaphors and phrases.
* Emphasis on rhythm: While not bound by traditional meters, they were mindful of rhythm and how it could contribute to the overall impact of the poem.
* Musicality through sound devices: They often employed sound devices like alliteration, assonance, and consonance to create a pleasing musicality in their poems, but only when it served the image or the meaning.
In essence, Imagist poetry aimed for a natural, clear, and evocative sound, evoking a sense of immediacy and directness. They wanted their poems to sound like the world itself, with all its complexity and beauty.