Types of Poetry

by

Mrs. Wolfe


There are many different types of poetry.  As you read each page, make mental notes.  Does this type of poetry appeal to you? What makes each type of poetry unique?

Be sure to answer the question on the bottom of each page.  Click on the coaches for useful information and insight about each poem.



Narrative Poem

A narrative poem tells a story.  It includes character, plot, setting, conflict, and resolution.

Read this excerpt from a famous narrative poem by Clement Clark Moore:

Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas

'Twas the night before Christmas,when all through the house,

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;  

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

 While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.

  

And Mama in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap, 

Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap;

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,  

 I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,  

ore open the shutters and threw up the sash.


Ballads
A ballad is a form of poetry meant to be sung or recited.  It tells about a single event or episode. Ballads often deal with adventure or romance.
Read the first stanza of a ballad by the famous author Edgar Allan Poe.
Bridal Ballad by Edgar Allan Poe
The ring is on my hand,
And the wreath is on my brow;
Satin and jewels grand

Are all at my command,
And I am happy now.
And my lord he loves me well;
 But, when first he breathed his vow,
 I felt my bosom swell-

For the words rang as a knell,
And the voice seemed his who fell
In the battle down the dell,
And who is happy now.



Lyric Poems

A lyric poem is a short poem that expresses the poet's thoughts or feelings in a musical way.

Read the following lyric written by a famous English poet named Percy Shelley.  What feelings is he expressing in thie lyric poem?

A Hate-Song

A hater he came and sat by a ditch,

And he took an old cracked lute;

And he sang a song which was more of a screech

 'Gainst a woman that was a brute.

Percy Bysshe Shelley

Acrostic

An acrostic is a poetic verse arranged so that the first letter of the initial words in each line spell out an idea.  An acrostic is usually one stanza in length.

Read a portion of the first stanza of this acrostic by the famous English poet John Keats.  He wrote the poem for his sister-in-law.

Acrostic : Georgiana Augusta Keats

Give me your patience, sister, while I frame

Exact in capitals your golden name;

Or sue the fair Apollo and he will

Rouse from his heavy slumber and instill

Great love in me for thee.

Imagine not that greatest mastery

And kingdom over all the Realms of verse.




Haiku

Haiku is a Japanese form of poetry.  A Haiku contains only three lines.  The first line contains 5 syllables, the second line contains 7 syllables, and the third line contains 5 syllables.  This sounds easy.  However, each line should create an emotion or image for the reader.

On sweet plum blossoms

The sun rises suddenly.

Look, a mountain path!

 

Has spring come indeed?

On that nameless mountain lie

Thin layers of mist.

 

Temple bells die out,

The fragrant blossoms remain.

A perfect evening!

 

by Matsuo Basho



Concrete Poems

A concrete poem is written to take the shape of its subject. This type of poem may be an acrostic, but may be words or images that relate to the shape.