My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still Rise up-for you the flag is flung-for you the bugle trills įor you bouquets and ribbon’d wreaths-for you the shores a-crowding įor you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning O Captain! My Captain! rise up and hear the bells One famous example of an elegy is Walt Whitman’s “O Captain, My Captain,” which Whitman wrote following the assassination of Abraham Lincoln: They can be written for a particular person, or treat the subject of loss more generally. The elegy is another type of poem that lacks particular rules, but it usually is written in mourning following a death. These stones to praise thee may not cease.Īnd sanctify this ALTAR to be thine.
“The Altar” by George Herbert was intended to resemble a church altar: Poets can manipulate spacing or layout to emphasize a theme or important element in the text, or sometimes they can take the literal shape of their subjects.
One famous example is found in the Iliad, where Homer refers to Achilles’ shield. Haiku Characteristics and RulesĮkphrastic poems don’t really have specific rules, but they do speak of another work of art.Įkphrasis comes from the Greek word for “description,” and that’s exactly what this poem should do: vividly describe a painting, statue, photograph, or story. Although they usually refer to nature, the only real rule applies to the number of syllables in each line, so you can let your imagination run wild with this one. The haiku originated in 17 th century Japan. You might remember writing a few of these back in grade school, because not only are these poems short, but they can be very fun to write. “Do not go gentle into that good night” by Dylan Thomas.Rhyme scheme: ABA, ABA, ABA, ABA, ABA, ABAA.Luckily, many of the lines are repetitions, but this means you’ll have to take care to make those lines meaningful. Villanelles have even more specific rules than sonnets. My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground:Īnd yet, by heaven, I think my love as rareĪs any she belied with false compare. That music hath a far more pleasing sound I love to hear her speak, yet well I know Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks. I have seen roses damask’d, red and white,Īnd in some perfumes is there more delight If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head. If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun Ĭoral is far more red than her lips’ red
3 quatrains (4 lines each) and a couplet (2 lines).Second stanza answers the question or issue posed in the first.Turn (or “volta”) between 8 th and 9 th lines.Presents an argument, observation, or question in the first 8 lines.Each type contains 14 lines but comes with its own set of rules. Having originated in 13 th century Italy, the sonnet usually deals with love and has two common forms: the Petrarchan (named for its famous practitioner, the poet Petrarch) and the Shakespearean (also known as the English sonnet). Sonnets are practically synonymous with Shakespeare, but there are actually two different kinds of this famous poetic form. You may prefer to read certain types of poems, while for other types you may enjoy writing your own! Familiarize yourself with these different styles and see if any spark your imagination. All you have to do is select a style that appeals to you and let your creativity flow! 12 Different Types of Poemsīelow is a list of some of the most common types of poetry, their main characteristics, and famous examples of each. There are so many different types of poems, and many have very few rules. But if you think writing poetry requires a minor in rocket science, think again. Writing good poetry can be incredibly challenging, and sometimes just trying to understand it can be tiresome.
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