Shape Poetry
-Shape Poetry is also associated with Concrete Poetry-
Shape is one of the main things that separate prose and poetry. Poetry can take on many formats,
but one of the most inventive forms is for the poem to take on the shape of its subject. Therefore,
if the subject of your poem were of a flower, then the poem would be shaped like a flower. If it
were of a fish, then the poem would take on the shape of a fish. ><<<*>
Shape and Concrete Poetry go hand-in-hand; however, Concrete or Visual Poetry don’t have to
take on the particular shape of the poem’s subject, but rather the wording in the poem can enhance
the effect of the words such as in this line:
an angel tumbling
d
o
w
n
to earth . . .
Designing your own shape poem can be simple and fun, but try not to pick anything that would be
too difficult. We suggest mapping out or drawing your shape first, and then importing the text of
your poem into your shape.
Example #1:
Birth of a Triangle
mama and papa and baby make three,
reaching sides of a three-sided tree.
oedipal winds rustle from leaves;
triangular shapes converting
dissimilarity into peeves.
straight lines connect
the corners turned;
mirrored sight
un-burned;
buried
am
i
Copyright © 2001 Alex Goldenberg
Example #2:
My Body
my
body
is
a
walking representation
the outward visual caption
of what it means
to be
me
from the
outside
looking
in
at times I hide
from you but mostly
what you see is
what you will get
Copyright © 2001 Andrea Forbing-Maglione
Example #3:
Broken Car
What can I do with
a car that doesn't go
Can I find some way to fix it
How long will it be before I can go again
Can the car even be fixed or is it hopeless
I can't take a bus to work they aren't around
Stranded No Money
Damned Things
Copyright © 2001 Johnathan Sluder
Example #4:
Coffee
* Shape poem and an Acrostic poem!
Coffee mild, but dark as toast.
O..Oh healthy cup, of robust roast,
F.....Fresh the smell, of perking pot,
F.....Flavors senses, while it`s hot.
E.......Everlasting, in every way,
E...Every morning, every day.
Copyright © 2001 Sally Ann Roberts
Example #5:
A Simple Tree
and life began
from a simple tree
starting from roots
they spread beneath
the earth nourishing soil
growing bigger
its trunk widens
strengthening
it begins to
stand
on
its
own
and the roots keep reaching far beyond the ground...
Copyright © 2001 Julie Wright
Example #6:
Rockets Red Glare
I
see
above
my head
sparkling
lights of
bright colors
Announcing
Signaling
Rejoicing
Sounding
dreaming
calling
to my
being
telling
me that I
am free of
oppressions
can you see
what they
Have Said
Copyright © 2001 Johnathan Sluder
Example #7:
Luna
You
were my
first dandelion
wish, my cotton
candy kiss, and sweet
lullaby. With you nested
in the palm of my hand,
we became one with the night,
ruling over the stars in the sky.
You have been my guiding light
through sleepless nights, my
muse, and friend, always
lending a listening ear, and
offering your soft, glowing
light to ease my fears.
You are my warm,
goodnight moon,
Luna.
Copyright © 2003 Marie Summers
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