CONCRETE POETRY

Concrete Poetry

WHAT IS CONCRETE POETRY?

Concrete Poetry (also called Shape Poetry) is an arrangement of words in typical shape and uses sound and space to commune the meaning of words. This form of poetry is created by graphic patterns of letter, words, and symbols and mostly referred to as Visual Poetry. The poet tries to convey through typeface and other typographical elements such that the letters, punctuation marks, symbols, syllables, etc make an evocative picture.

HOW TO WRITE A CONCRETE POEM?

The most accurate way of making a poem structural is filling an outline that relates to the topic of the poem. For example, if the subject of the poem is Leaves, then the structure of the poem can be outlined like a leaf.

• Choose a topic or subject on which the poem has to be written.

• Figure out an outline for the poem that matches the topic or subject. For starters, a leaf or snowman can do.

• Next, write the poem normally- the way you want. Pick words that are related to the subject. Don’t make your poem too long because it has to fit the desired shape. 6-12 lines will do. And it doesn’t have to rhyme mandatorily. It can be free verse or lyrical too!

• Then write up your poem in the outline chosen. It’s totally fine if some words don’t fit the outline because this is where you find out if your poem needs to be any longer.

• As mentioned above, if needed write a fresh draft again with more lines in it and then fit it in the shape. Continue to do this till it seems perfect.

• After writing the poem in the outline, erase the pencil outline carefully.

EXAMPLE OF CONCRETE POETRY

EASTER WINGS

~ George Herbert

    This 17th-century poem was originally printed sideways on two side-by-side pages. When we hold it in this angle, we can see the poem shaped like wings which are relatable to the title of the poem ‘Easter Wings’. The poem begins with an austere tone, but in the curve of the wings, things start taking a brighter turn. We notice that the shape can work well with the subject and theme of the poem. 

PURPOSE OF CONCRETE POETRY

The key purpose of this form of poetry can be in masses. Though it is challenging writing this form it takes a lot of hard work to write it in the desired outline. Calligraphists are experts in this field.

So relax, sit back, and get creative to write your next Concrete Poem!!

THANK YOU!!

~Shreya Mitra (a member of PoeTree FoRest)

NOTE- (None of the poems we present belong to us. We present an organized record and analysis of them. All copyrights are reserved for the original author and we are not using plagiarized work. The originality of writes is verified to the fullest extent we can.)