Concrete poetry is a form of verse where the shape of the poem on the page conveys meaning. It challenges established notions about language and images, and was part of a larger movement in art and literature. It must be seen by the public and is sometimes called visual poetry. It preceded later trends in […]
Satire plays a prominent role in poetry, exposing human follies and vices for ridicule and contempt. It is a fiercely intellectual and morally enthusiastic tool that can be overdone if not tempered. Satire in poetry retains its “gritty” quality due to the precision and brevity of the medium. It functions as a living social commentary, […]
Oxymorons in poetry create vivid and memorable images, control the pace of a poem, and make readers pause to consider their meaning. They are sentences made up of contradicting words that create new meanings, and can give emphasis to particular phrases or ideas within a poem. The role of the oxymoron in poetry is typically […]
Allusion in poetry refers to using cultural references to represent complex concepts, and can help with tone and form. It is used in war poetry to convey emotions, indicate social situations, and portray the self. Allusions can also be intertextual references to other texts, and are useful for conforming to a specific poetic form. They […]
Dub poetry is a type of poem with built-in rhythm, often associated with reggae music and social justice issues. It originated in Jamaica and is connected to specific artists and deejays. While rhythm is essential, some see limitations in its appeal and popularity today. Dub poetry is a specific type of poem or verse in […]
Online poetry, in traditional and multimedia forms, is popular among amateurs and professionals. It allows for global feedback and simulates poetry workshops. Online journals review submissions, and themes vary from broad human conditions to contemporary issues. Social networking provides another platform for personal poetry. The Internet, due to the wide access to information it provides, […]
Poetry software includes rhyme dictionaries, text editors with organizational features, and software that generates parts or entire poems. It can be purchased online or used for free during a trial period. Some software creates entire poems, while others allow users to select choices to create a poem. Rhyming dictionaries are available online and more complex […]
Poetry magazines can be classified by pay rate, genre, style, language, and geographic region. Print and online publications also differ. Pay rate can indicate prestige, while some magazines focus on specific types of poetry or languages. Some only publish work by writers in certain areas, and online magazines allow for wider access. There are many […]
Enjambment in poetry extends an idea beyond a line break, reinforcing or surprising the reader and creating a rhythm. It can drag the reader from line to line, deceive them, or establish a fast tempo. The function of enjambment in poetry is typically to allow an idea to continue beyond the bounds of a single […]
Victorian poetry includes British and Irish works from Queen Victoria’s reign, characterized by sentimentality, chivalrous themes, and a shift away from Romanticism. Notable poets include Tennyson, the Brownings, and the Rossettis. The era’s literature is diverse and influenced by industrialization and technological breakthroughs. Victorian poetry is seen as a bridge between Romanticism and Modernism. Victorian […]
Puns in poetry can be profound and explore deeper meanings of language. Shakespeare used puns for irony, while modern limericks use them for comedy. A pun, or paronomasia, is a type of pun in which a word is used to suggest a homophone, a word with a similar sound but a different meaning. Puns are […]
Zen poetry uses descriptive words to make philosophical statements through singular experiences. It emphasizes enlightenment and nature-focused imagery, often presented in short stanzas without a rhyme scheme. Inspiration comes from Zen Buddhism’s contemplative state of meditation, which presents questions or problems (koans) for reflection. The natural and mundane are used for comparative imagery, and simplicity […]
Lyric poetry is a personal and emotional style that can take many forms and is defined by tone. It is often associated with musical qualities and celebrates human relationships. Its origins can be traced back to ancient Greece and have since spread to other cultures. Today, the lyrical word is often associated with music, but […]
The refrain in poetry is repetition of a line or stanza, often used to emphasize a point, create rhythm, or structure. It can serve as a prominent feature in some types of poems, such as the villanelle. The function of the refrain in poetry can vary according to a poet’s purpose, but it is often […]
Abstract poetry uses words for their sounds rather than their meanings, creating unique and memorable experiences. It developed in the 19th and 20th centuries, influenced by artists like TS Eliot and Edith Sitwell. The concept has influenced later generations of poets and became part of the larger trend of abstract art. Cummings’ work could also […]
Medieval poetry covered religious devotion, courtly love, and social satire. It was often spoken by minstrels and troubadours before being written. Monks and priests composed religious poetry, while courtly love poetry celebrated women and heroism. The use of vernacular languages helped increase literacy rates and set the stage for the Renaissance. Medieval poetry is a […]
Urban poetry expresses feelings and experiences related to life in urban communities, often focusing on poverty, social injustice, stress, struggles, and survival. It can vary in length, meter, and pace, and is not always set to music. Urban poetry has existed for centuries and is popular in India. It often condemns social injustice and tells […]
Images in poetry evoke a gut-level response and convey a complete human experience using figurative language. Imagery can appeal to any of the five senses and be literal, perceptual, or conceptual. The Imagist movement emphasized clear and direct images in poetry. Images in poetry generally function as the backbone or grounding rod of the poem […]
Beat poetry emerged in the mid-1950s and 1960s in New York and San Francisco, promoting individualism and protesting the loss of faith. The Beat Generation explored mysticism, Zen Buddhism, and drug use. The poetry inspired the anti-war hippie movement, ecological awareness, and women’s and gay rights movements. Some argue that the term “beat” refers to […]
Dark poetry uses negative themes in verse, related to gothic and horror genres. It can take any form and isn’t just about style or structure, but content and emotions. It draws on longings, pain, wounds, and supernatural themes. Dark poetry has gained popularity with the Internet and provides catharsis for writers. Dark poetry is the […]
