Dramatic poetry is a form of storytelling that connects the reader to an audience through emotions or behaviors. It has evolved since ancient Greece and survives today, often seen in opera librettos. The four main accepted forms include soliloquy, dramatic monologue, character sketch, and dialogue. It uses verse form or rhymes and requires physical performance, […]
Metonymy is a literary technique used in poetry to draw attention to a word or idea by changing the diction used by the poet. It can be used to make something more abstract or archetypal, describe institutions, drop nouns and adjectives, and create literary symbolism. Metonymy gives mundane objects a poetic color and makes them […]
Postmodern poetry is characterized by a loose form and stream-of-consciousness style, often dealing with themes of meaninglessness and lack of reality. It uses irregular line breaks and complicated word choice to reflect the chaotic world, and may mock the reader’s attempts to create meaning. It can deal with existential or nihilistic themes, pushing the reader […]
A poetry journal can be used to vent emotions, maintain writing practice, and capture sudden ideas. It can also aid in emotional healing, especially during a crisis such as illness. Keeping a poetry journal can have a number of advantages and benefits, depending on a person’s particular situation and the reasons they might have for […]
Life poetry captures common experiences and emotions, often with minimal narrative descriptions. Topics include love, mortality, and perseverance. The structure is flexible, with the goal of expressing emotions in a lyrical style. Effective life poetry elicits empathy and can leave lasting impressions on readers. Poetry of life is a type of writing in which the […]
Cacophony is unpleasant sound combinations in writing or speech. It can be used in poetry to imitate loud sounds, represent discomfort, or for amusement. Poets use it to explore language limits and attract children’s attention. Cacophony, which literally means “bad sound” in Greek, is a literary term that refers to jarring or unpleasant sound combinations […]
Food poetry is a style of poetry that can be emotional or prosaic, with no structural prerequisites. Poets choose a subject and burst into ideas, describing taste, texture, smell, and appearance. Food can be a metaphor, and there are connotations related to it. The paraphernalia of food shapes the content and themes of poems. Food […]
Mathematics and poetry can be combined to form mathematical poetry, using mathematical concepts in the structure and imagery of a poem. Poets like Rita Dove use mathematical imagery in their work, and math poetry can be used to teach concepts with humor and imagination. Both disciplines rely on symbols and can work together to find […]
“Raining Poetry” initiative brings water-repellent poems to Boston sidewalks for National Poetry Month. Poems by Langston Hughes, Gary Duehr, Barbara Helfgott Hyett, and Elizabeth McKim appear when it rains. Sidewalk Poets use biodegradable spray paint and cardboard stencils. The project may expand to include other languages. A 2016 public art initiative is bringing poetry to […]
Sports poetry can cover any sport and be in any tone or form. The epenicion was an early form of sports poetry, honoring victors of the Hellenic games. Baseball has inspired a lot of American sports poetry, including “Casey at the Bat” and the baseball haiku. All sports involve conquering something, giving them drama and […]
Allegory in poetry gives two meanings to a poem: an obvious one and a deeper, often hidden meaning. It can cover an entire poem or be smaller allegories within it. The function is to glorify, criticize, teach morals, parody, or mask emotions depending on the poet’s intention. The function of allegory in poetry is to […]
Animal poetry is found across cultures and can feature a variety of creatures, from pets to bats. Poets use animal attributes metaphorically to represent human emotion. Examples include Mary Oliver’s use of wild geese as a symbol of belonging and Elizabeth Bishop’s exploration of the beauty in a fish’s life. Animal poetry can also explore […]
Native American poetry includes traditional and contemporary verses about Native Americans, covering a range of topics such as beliefs, myths, legends, and history. It includes songs, chants, and rituals that were used to communicate with nature and record history. Native American poetry also includes myths, legends, and creation stories. Some poetry is composed by non-Native […]
Poetry clubs vary in type, from workshops to reading groups. Some offer feedback and critiques, while others focus on sharing work. Clubs may meet in person or online and may have fees or dues. Poetry clubs come in several varieties, from poetry criticism workshops to themed poetry discussions. The main distinction between clubs will be […]
Cowboy poetry originated from oral storytelling around campfires in the late 1800s. Modern cowboy poetry should contain rhymes and reflect the western culture and ranch life. It can be improvised or recited in formal settings and can have various themes, including humor, romance, and tragedy. Cowboy poetry can be published or unpublished, and many books […]
Poetry anthologies are collections of poems written by different poets, selected by the editor. They can be organized chronologically, thematically, or by culture. Some anthologies aim to include the best-known poets, while others focus on lesser-known writers or specific themes. The internet has led to a growing interest in poetry from other cultures. Diversity is […]
Romantic poetry emphasizes individualism, emotion, and nature, rejecting neoclassicism and the Enlightenment. The movement, which began in Germany, influenced Western thought and art. Romantic poets created new modes of expression and emphasized intuition and imagination. The movement lasted into the 20th century and influenced later movements like Surrealism. Famous Romantic poets include Wordsworth, Shelley, and […]
Hip hop poetry uses words and phrases similar to those in hip hop music lyrics, with rhythm and rhyme being important. It is often delivered or performed with improvisation. Some discount it as poetry, but others embrace it as a way to make poetry more interesting for younger generations. Hip hop has roots in rapping […]
Visual poetry is verse written with intentional shape to add meaning. It can take a recognizable shape or use free-form patterns to create new rhythms. The physical form reinforces the poem’s meanings and themes, and can include alliteration, rhyme, and new words. Concrete visual poetry allows for freer verse, including repeated words shaped to resemble […]
Form poetry uses words to create a physical shape, from simple triangles to intricate designs. It combines literary content with visual imagery and is used in mainstream art magazines and “zines”. ASCII art is a modern digital art form that also combines letters and images. While shape poetry can be displayed on the web, it […]
