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. Tyehimba Jess, “Hagar in the Wilderness”Ĭoncrete poetry is designed to take a particular shape or form on the page.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
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