Poetry and Its Forms

Poetry and Its Forms

March 20-22, 2007

Examples of Poetry Forms

Question Poems

Question poems consist of a list of questions that may or may not have answers. Sometimes the questions are serious, and sometimes they are silly. It is usually a poem about wondering. You can write a question poem about something that you or a character in your book is unsure about. It can be about any positive topic.

This is a question poem that wonders about how to achieve happiness. The author wonders if there is any way to feel better.

Is there a way out?

By Jenni Glennen

Is there a way out?

Is there a way out of this place?

Is there a way out of this pain?

Is there a way to a better life?

Is there a way to be happy?

How can I achieve it?

List Poems

A list poem is just what it sounds like – it's a list! It can be a list of feelings, actions, tastes, smells, thoughts, sounds – anything you want. You can make a list poem about things you like, things you hate, things that scare you, or things that give you hope. Write a list poem about something important to you or a character in your book.

This is a list poem about what the author would cook his teacher for lunch.

What I’d Cook My Teacher For Lunch

(nonrhyming list poem)

by Bruce Lansky

Rattlesnake stew
centipede salad
seaweed and jellyfish sandwich
milk mixed with glue
poohberry pie
I hope the old bat doesn’t die!

In a Moment of Silence, by Michael Coleman, is a list poem:

In a Moment of Silence

In a moment of silence, I heard my Mum bump out of bed.
I heard her dawdle downstairs.
I heard her creak into the kitchen.
In a moment of silence, I heard the radio rabbiting to her.
I heard our budgie babbling to her.
I heard the kettle calling to her.
In a moment of silence I heard clattering cups.
I heard breakfast bowls.

I heard stainless steel spoons.
In a moment of silence, I heard my stomach rumble –

so I got up for something to eat!

Diamante Poem

A Diamante Poem follows a very specific format – there are seven lines, and each line must have a specific number and type of words. When you're finished, the poem will be in the shape of a diamond! Look at the format and example below, and then try writing your own diamante poem.

Line 1= Topic (noun)
Line 2 = Two describing words (adjectives)
Line 3 = Three action words (-ing verbs)
Line 4 = Four words: Two words about the topic and two

words that are opposite of those in line 2
Line 5 = Three action words for the ending noun (-ing verbs)
Line 6 = Two words to describe ending noun (adjectives)
Line 7 = Ending noun (opposite of Line 1)

Here is an example of a diamante poem about a meteor shower:

Fireball ß Noun

Brilliant, beautiful ß 2 Adjectives

Flashing, shining, dashing ß 3 Verbs
Bright, wondrous, black, nothing ß 4 words
Staring, hoping, missing ß 3 Verbs
Deep, quiet ß 2 Adjectives
Darkness. ß Noun

Character or "I Am" Poems

These poems are about one specific person or character. They follow a specific format that describes the person in many different ways. You can use the "I Am" poem format to pretend you are a character in the book.

Here is the format for an "I Am" Poem:

FIRST STANZA

I am______(two characteristics you have)

I wonder ______(something you're curious about)

I hear ______(an imaginary sound)

I see ______(an imaginary sight)

I want ______(an actual desire)

I am ______(the first line of the poem repeated)

SECOND STANZA

I pretend ______(something you pretend to do)

I feel ______(a feeling about something imaginary)

I touch ______(an imaginary touch)

I worry ______(something that bothers you)

I cry ______(something that makes you sad)

I am ______(the first line of the poem repeated)

THIRD STANZA

I understand ______(something you know is true)

I say ______(something you believe in)

I dream ______(something you dream about)

I try ______(something you make an effort about)

I hope ______(something you hope for)

I am ______(the first line of the poem repeated)

Here's another version of a Character Poem:

Line 1: Name of character ______
Line 2: Describing words ______
Line 3: Who loves ______
Line 4: Who feels ______about ______
Line 5: Who needs ______
Line 6: Who shares ______
Line 7: Who fears ______
Line 8: Who'd like to see ______
Line 9: Who dreams of ______
Line 10: Who ends up ______

A cinquain is a short poem about an object, a person, or an idea.

A cinquain has five lines. The number of words change for each line. Each line begins with a capital letter. Study the example.

Line 1 is one word (subject)

Line 2 is two words (describing the subject)

Line 3 is three words (an action of the subject)

Line 4 is four words (feelings about the subject)

Line 5 is one word (another word for the subject)

Source: 'The language of language', Les Moseley, Longman, 1996.

(Text altered and abridged).

Write your own cinquain on another pet or animal. Check that the number of words is correct for each line.