Is it acceptable to omit pronouns when it's implied elsewhere?

Question

I'm only referring to poetry/lyrics.

Answer 1

Yes, it is acceptable to omit pronouns when their referents are implied elsewhere in the text in both poetry and song lyrics. This common stylistic choice can add brevity and create a sense of immediacy or intimacy in the writing. Omitting pronouns can also contribute to the overall rhythm and flow of the poem or song.

For example, in a song lyric:

Original: "I saw you standing there, and I knew you were the one I had been waiting for."

Omitted Pronouns: "Saw you standing there, knew you were the one I had been waiting for."

In this example, the pronouns "I" and "you" are omitted because the context implies them, and the revised version maintains clarity :)

Answer 2

All writing has audience. The form may be acceptable to one audience and not another. Clarity and appropriateness are the two guiding principles here. Jay-z might write "Don't know how to sleep. Gotta eat, stay on my toes...", that doesn't mean he'd use that language in an essay he's publishing in Vanity Fair. Feel me. The definitive answer to acceptable always implies to whom and under what condition.