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Abecedarian
"Abecedarian poems are now most commonly used as mnemonic devices and word games for children, such as those written by Dr. Seuss and Edward Gorey."
Anaphora
"As one of the world’s oldest poetic techniques, anaphora is used in much of the world’s religious and devotional poetry, including numerous Biblical Psalms."
Ballad
"Their subject matter dealt with religious themes, love, tragedy, domestic crimes, and sometimes even political propaganda."
Ballade
"One of the principal forms of music and poetry in fourteenth- and fifteenth-century France."
Blues Poem
"A blues poem typically takes on themes such as struggle, despair, and sex."
The Bop
"Not unlike the Shakespearean sonnet in trajectory, the Bop is a form of poetic argument consisting of three stanzas."
Cento
"From the Latin word for 'patchwork,' the cento is a poetic form made up of lines from poems by other poets.
Chance Operations
"A chance operation can be almost anything from throwing darts and rolling dice, to the ancient Chinese divination method, I-Ching, and even sophisticated computer programs."
Cinquain
"Examples of cinquains can be found in many European languages, and the origin of the form dates back to medieval French poetry."
Dramatic Monologue
"The poet speaks through an assumed voice—a character, a fictional identity, or a persona."
Ekphrasis
"Modern ekphrastic poems have generally shrugged off antiquity's obsession with elaborate description, and instead have tried to interpret, inhabit, confront, and speak to their subjects."
Elegy
"The traditional elegy mirrors three stages of loss. First, there is a lament, then praise for the idealized dead, and finally consolation and solace."
Epic
"Elements that typically distinguish epics include superhuman deeds, fabulous adventures, highly stylized language, and a blending of lyrical and dramatic traditions."
Epigram
"Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker."
Epistle
"Epistolary poems—from the Latin 'epistula' for 'letter'—are, quite literally, poems that read as letters."
Found Poem
"The literary equivalent of a collage, found poetry is often made from newspaper articles, street signs, graffiti, speeches, letters, or even other poems."
Ghazal
"Traditionally invoking melancholy, love, longing, and metaphysical questions, ghazals are often sung by Iranian, Indian, and Pakistani musicians."
Haibun
"A journey composed of a prose poem and ending with a meaningful murmur of sorts: a haiku."
Haiku
"Often focusing on images from nature, haiku emphasizes simplicity, intensity, and directness of expression." | |
