stichic

Stichic is a term in poetics describing poetry that is written in a continuous sequence of lines without the formal division into stanzas. The word derives from the Greek stichos, meaning line or row, with the suffix -ic indicating a characteristic or style. In stichic verse, the poem unfolds through uninterrupted lines, and line breaks function primarily to control rhythm, emphasis, or enjambment rather than to delineate standalone stanzaic units.

Key features of stichic poetry include the absence of regular stanzaic grouping, the potential for long or irregular line lengths, and a structure that emphasizes movement and continuity over repeated refrains or patterns typical of stanzaic forms. Punctuation and syntax often guide cadence more than fixed stanza boundaries, allowing for sustained narrative or lyrical progression.

Historically, stichic verse is common in many ancient and classical traditions, where epic and lyric forms frequently present continuous lines. In contrast, many later medieval and modern poems employ stanzaic forms such as quatrains or sestets. In modern poetry, writers sometimes adopt a stichic approach to convey expansive breath or a freien, flowing cadence; notable examples are often discussed in relation to long-line or open-form techniques rather than strict stanzaic repetition.

See also: stanza, stanzaic form, verse, epic poetry, enjambment, free verse.