Invented Forms of Poetry
Don’t be afraid to try something new the next time you sit down to write a poem. The invented forms of poetry that follow will help you get started.
Alphabet Poetry A form of poetry that states a creative or humorous idea using part of the alphabet.
Hot dogs on buns.
I Love them!
Just drizzLe with a LittLe
Ketchup, and they’ve
Left for
My tummy!
—Emily Trapp
Clerihew Poetry A form of humorous or light verse created by Edmund Clerihew Bentley. A clerihew poem consists of two rhyming couplets.
The name of some well-known person creates one of the rhymes.
Edmund Clerihew Bentley
Brooded intently
On many a foible
He thus made enjoyable.
—Colin Burke
Concrete Poetry A form of poetry in which the shape or design helps express the meaning or feeling of the poem.
PEAKS LIFE!
VALLEYS
Contrast Couplet A couplet in which the first line includes two words that are opposites. The second line makes a comment about the first.
Some hours are too short, and some are too long.
I wonder who it was that made the clocks all wrong.
—L. Winfred Smith
Definition Poetry Poetry that defines a word or an idea creatively.
Temptation—
the modern Pied Piper,
calling, willing, drawing
the soul resisting, the brain relenting.
—Kristin Mueller
List Poetry A form of poetry that lists words or phrases.
ROOMS
There are rooms to start up in
Rooms to start out in
Rooms to start over in
Rooms to lie in
Rooms to lie about in
Rooms to lay away in
—Ray Griffith
Name Poetry A form of poetry in which the letters of a name are used to begin each line in the poem.
Amazing
Silly
Happy
Loud
Even though she’s only two, she can still say “I Love
You!”
—Roman Leykin
Phrase Poetry * A form of poetry that states an idea with a list of phrases.
Across the icy, frozen pond
On a turn
On a jump
Into the air
Down again
For the win
With a radiant smile.
—All.ison Bannerman
Terse Verse A form of humorous verse made up of two words that rhyme and have the same number of syllables.
CLOCK POEM WILTED FLOWER TARDY VISITOR
Time Floppy Late
Rhyme Poppy Date
—Katheryn Smith
Title-down Poetry A form of poetry in which the letters that spell the subject of the poem are used to begin each line.
Cuddled in my Flits around my head.
Arms, purring as I Lands on my nose. Makes me
Tickle its fur. Yell!
—Candace Smith