7 Different Types of Poetry to Try in 2024
Feeling confident in your poetry? Why not enter our international poetry competition for the chance to win $100!
What is poetry?
It’s a simple question with no straightforward answer.
Generally speaking, poetry is a form of literary expression that uses language to evoke emotions and convey meaning through the use of various techniques such as rhythm, meter, imagery, and metaphor. It is often characterized by its heightened and condensed language, carefully chosen words, and the arrangement of lines and stanzas. Often – but not always.
Here are some ways poets have defined their crafts over the years:
Poetry is language at its most distilled and most powerful. —Rita Dove
Poetry is the journal of a sea animal living on land, wanting to fly in the air. —Carl Sandburg
Poetry is a way of taking life by the throat. —Robert Frost
A poem can be many things, and poetry can take on many forms. Read on to learn about some of these types of poems.
What are the different types of poetry?
Poetry is not confined to a single definition or set of rules, but rather it encompasses a vast range of styles, forms, and techniques, allowing poets to explore diverse themes, experiment with language, and challenge traditional conventions. From sonnets to haikus, from free verse to narrative epics, poetry celebrates the possibilities of words and the boundless depths of human expression.
1. Narrative Poetry
Imagine poetry taking the form of a captivating story. That's precisely what narrative poetry does. It combines the power of storytelling with the charm of poetic language, transporting us to different worlds and introducing us to intriguing characters. Narrative poems often have a clear plot, rich descriptions, and a sense of progression.
One example of narrative poetry is Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner." This epic ballad tells the tale of a mariner's ill-fated voyage, filled with supernatural encounters and moral lessons. Through vivid imagery and rhythmic verses, Coleridge weaves a haunting story that lingers in the reader's mind.
2. Lyric Poetry
Lyric poetry speaks to something within us. It has emotional depth and and oftentimes has a personal touch. It captures the essence of feelings, experiences, and observations. Lyric poems often express the poet's innermost thoughts, desires, or reflections, and invites readers to connect on a deep, intimate level.
In the famous lyric poem “Still I Rise”, Maya Angelou conveys her resilience and defiance in the face of adversity. The rhythmic flow of the poem, along with its repetition and imagery, creates a musical quality that enhances the emotional impact and captures the reader's attention.
3. Sonnet
Ah, the sonnet—a compact and exquisite form of poetry! It's like a small but precious jewel, polished to perfection. Sonnets come in different types, each with its own distinct structure and rhyme scheme. The most famous types are the Italian sonnet (Petrarchan sonnet) and the Shakespearean sonnet.
The Italian sonnet consists of an octave (eight lines) followed by a sestet (six lines), often exploring a problem or theme. On the other hand, the Shakespearean sonnet comprises three quatrains (four lines each) and a concluding couplet, with a volta (a turn or shift in tone) between the quatrains and the couplet.
Shakespeare's Sonnet 116, known for its exploration of love's steadfastness, begins with the lines "Let me not to the marriage of true minds / Admit impediments." This celebrated sonnet showcases the power of the form in capturing complex emotions and philosophical musings within a concise structure.
4. Haiku
If brevity is your muse, then you’ll love haiku poetry. Originating from Japan, haiku captures fleeting moments, often inspired by nature. In its traditional structure of three lines and a 5-7-5 syllable pattern, haiku encapsulates profound simplicity and invites us to pause and appreciate the beauty of the world around us.
Take, for example, “The Old Pond” by Matsuo Bashō:
An old silent pond
A frog jumps into the pond—
Splash! Silence again.
Haiku poems distill the essence of a scene or a feeling, presenting a vivid snapshot that evokes emotions and encourages mindfulness. The simplicity and elegance of haiku make it a cherished form for poets and readers alike.
5. Free Verse
In the realm of free verse, rules and restrictions take a backseat. Here, poets can unleash their creativity without the confines of traditional meter or rhyme schemes. Free verse allows the words to flow like a river, creating unique rhythms and organic structures. It embraces the natural cadence of language and offers freedom of expression. It also happens to be our favourite kind of poetry and the inspiration behind the name of our magazine, Free the Verse.
Walt Whitman's "Song of Myself" is a groundbreaking example of free verse. In this expansive and introspective poem, Whitman celebrates the diversity of human experience, employing long, sprawling lines that mirror the vastness of his subject matter. Free verse encourages poets to experiment, giving voice to their individuality and paving the way for modern poetic expression.
6. Epics
Prepare to embark on an epic adventure! Epics are lengthy, narrative poems that tell grand tales of heroic deeds, mythical creatures, and timeless quests. These poems immerse us in a world of wonder and heroism, exploring universal themes and celebrating the triumphs and trials of extraordinary characters.
"The Iliad" by Homer is one of the most renowned examples of an epic poem. It follows the story of the Trojan War, filled with gods, goddesses, warriors, and the legendary hero Achilles. With its elevated language, intricate plotlines, and exploration of themes like honor, fate, and the human condition, epics captivate us with their timeless allure and enduring impact.
7. Concrete Poetry
Imagine poetry as a visual artwork, where the arrangement of words on the page creates meaning beyond their literal sense. Welcome to the world of concrete poetry! It's a unique form where the poet plays with typography, spacing, and layout to convey their message. These visually striking poems add another layer of artistic expression to the written word.
Take, for instance, the poem "The Mouse's Tale" by Lewis Carroll, found in his whimsical masterpiece "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland." In this concrete poem, the words are shaped to resemble a winding, curving tail, visually capturing the playful essence of the narrative.
Concrete poetry challenges the boundaries of traditional poetic conventions, encouraging readers to engage with the visual aesthetics of words. It's a delightful fusion of art and language that invites us to see poetry in a new light.
How these kinds of poetry can overlap
These different types of poetry often overlap and intersect in various ways. For instance, narrative poetry can incorporate elements of lyricism, allowing the poet to infuse emotional depth and personal reflections into a captivating story. Similarly, lyric poetry can occasionally adopt narrative elements, weaving a poetic tale that elicits an intimate emotional response from the reader.
Free verse, being unrestricted by traditional rules, can incorporate narrative storytelling, personal reflections, and lyrical language, allowing the poet to explore a multitude of themes and expressions.
Concrete poetry, with its visual aesthetics, can incorporate elements of narrative, lyricism, or even explore themes through the arrangement of words on the page. In essence, these types of poetry can blend and intersect, creating unique and multifaceted expressions of human experience and imagination.
Breaking the rules of poetry
Poets, at their core, are creators and innovators of language. While it is valuable to understand and appreciate the traditional rules and structures of poetry, it is equally important for poets to break those rules when it serves their creative vision. By challenging established conventions, poets can push the boundaries of language and expression, opening up new possibilities for artistic exploration.
Breaking the rules allows poets to experiment, to find their unique voice, and to give form to their individuality. It grants them the freedom to bend syntax, subvert expectations, and create fresh metaphors. In breaking the rules, poets have the opportunity to craft original and thought-provoking works that challenge our perceptions and evoke deep emotional responses.
Ultimately, by embracing rule-breaking, poets contribute to the ever-evolving landscape of poetry, enriching the art form and inspiring future generations of writers.
Enter our brand new poetry contest for the chance to win $100!
We accept entries from all around the world. And, unlike our issue submissions, our competition doesn’t have a theme.
Questions? Let us know in the comments below.