Concrete Poetry
SHAPE (or CONCRETE):
Shape poems are made up of words that have been placed in such a way that
they make the shape of an object and also use words to describe the object.
You can find a variety of shape or concrete poems on the internet where people
are now also using flash animation with poems.
Here is an example of a concrete poem:
summer
rivers
murmur
leaves and breezes
whisper
bees and
dreamy
thoughts
hum
as summer
winds
on
Concrete poetry has no agreed-upon conventions. It is certainly more elegant to
have the shape formed by a natural line length.
Sometimes the visual form makes it possible to read a poem in different ways. A
poem written in the form of a circle may be read from different starting points,
or in alternate directions. A poem written in the form of a "V" may be read down
and then back up, or left-to-right, or down the right side and back up the left...
Many intriguing possibilities, aren't there?
Here is another example:
between green
mountains
sings the flinger
of
fire beyond red rivers
e.e. cummings
Exercise: Concrete Poetry
Within the limitations of your computer, create a poem so that the shape of the
text on paper matches, in some way, the theme or nature of the poem.
If you want to write your poem on paper:
 Start by making a simple outline of the shape or object ( an animal, a
football, a fruit etc.) large enough to fill a piece of paper.
 Then brainstorm a minimum of ten to twenty words and phrases that
describe the shape. List action and feeling words as well.
 Next, place a piece of paper over the shape and decide where your words
are going to be placed so that they outline your shape but also fit well
together.
 Separate words and phrases with commas.
Guidelines for critique:
1) How identifiable was the visual image formed by the text?
2) Did the visual image match the poem?
3) Did the visual image add to the enjoyment of the poem?
4) Was the poem good enough as a poem to stand alone, be enjoyable without
the visual image?
5) How arbitrary was the arrangement of text, to form the visual image?
6) Did the arrangement of lines allow for alternative ways of reading the poem?
Your critiques may also cover any other aspects of the poem, but be sure to
include the exercise points above.
Your poem’s words in a shape or concrete poem should create a picture of the
idea you are writing about. If you combine your words effectively, you’ll be able
to open up people’s eyes and imagination or give them a sense of delight.
Examples of Concrete or Shape poetry on the Internet:
http://anitraweb.org/kalliope/concrete.html
http://www.manassas.k12.va.us/Round/ClassWeb/Slough/Poetry/concrete.htm
http://members.optusnet.com.au/kazoom/poetry/concrete.html
http://quest.nasa.gov/aero/wright/teachers/wfomanual/langarts/poem.html
http://www.schools.pinellas.k12.fl.us/educators/tec/pravda3/concrete.html
http://oregonstate.edu/~smithc/poems/dove.html
http://oregonstate.edu/~smithc/poems/fish.html
http://oregonstate.edu/~smithc/poems/urban.html
http://oregonstate.edu/~smithc/poems/owl.html
http://oregonstate.edu/~smithc/poems/boat.html
http://oregonstate.edu/~smithc/poems/salmon.html
http://www.baymoon.com/~ariadne/form/concrete.htm
http://www.dmturner.org/English/Poetry/elements.htm
QuickTi me™ and a
T IFF (Uncom pressed) decom pressor
are needed to see t his pict ure.