POETRY 101
The 5 Most Popular Styles
I knew I’d eventually get to writing this. My hubris.
Poetry is something divine, if I may preach for a minute, and is the only thing I will accept from my future lover in replacement of letters.
KIDDING!
But seriously. Have you ever randomly scrolled through random poetry sites and wondered if you could write your own? I most certainly have. Especially when I’m supposed to be doing my math worksheets. They’re much more entertaining during that period… hmm…
Anyways, if you’re serious about poetry, let me indulge in explaining the most popular types!
(Please remember that I have my personal opinions and ideas on this matter that may conflict with other sources. I researched, so the facts will be correct but my comments are unique to my own perspective.)
Let’s start with the 5 Most Popular Styles
Haiku: So this is basically short poem originally from Japan that is made of three lines. The first line has 5 syllables, the second has 7, and the third has 5. This is one of my favourites to write because of how difficult it can get to write a truly meaningful poem in such restrictions, but we all have different tastes.
If I were to love (Author: ME!) If I were to love (5) A man worthy of my time (7) What a love it’d be (5)
Sonnet: I’m pretty sure Shakespeare invented this one. It’s a 14-line poem that usually has a specific rhyme scheme. If I remember correctly, poets usually write love poems using this style (but I could be wrong. Don’t blindly trust whatever you read on the internet).
Sonnet 27
(Author: Shakespeare)
Weary with toil, I haste me to my bed,
The dear repose for limbs with travail tired;
But then begins a journey in my head
To work my mind, when body’s work’s expired:
For then my thoughts, from far where I abide,
Intend a zealous pilgrimage to thee,
And keep my drooping eyelids open wide,
Looking on darkness which the blind do see;
Save that my soul’s imaginary sight
Presents thy shadow to my sightless view,
Which, like a jewel hung in ghastly night
Makes black night beauteous and her old face new:
Lo, thus by day my limbs, by night my mind,
For thee, and for myself, no quiet find. Limerick: This one is my least favourite. It’s usually a five-line poem with a specific rhythm and rhyme pattern (as in, AABBA). The first, second, and fifth lines are longer, while the third and fourth are shorter. For me, this is a headache to write. I really dislike the restrictions and personally, I feel it’s kinda dumb hahaha.
Famous Limerick
(Author Unknown)
The limerick packs laughs anatomical
Into space that is quite economical.
But the good ones I’ve seen
So seldom are clean
And the clean ones so seldom are comical.Free Verse: My absolute FAVOURITE! This is the poem style that doesn’t follow any rules about rhyme or rhythm (no rules? the best!). Poets can write freely, expressing their thoughts in their own way and style. Sometimes I write with rhyme patterns like (ABAB or ACBC). This is also how most songwriters write songs.
The Pool (Author: Hilda Dolittle) Are you alive? I touch you. You quiver like a sea-fish. I cover you with my net. What are you—banded one?
Acrostic: Honestly, I didn’t know about this one until today. But it’s a type of poem where the first letter of each line spells out a word or message when read vertically. It usually describes the word it spells. I think there’s a few books that do something like this as well.
London (Author: William Blake) How the Chimney-sweepers cry Every blackning Church appalls, And the hapless Soldiers sigh Runs in blood down Palace walls (So here in this poem, it spells HEAR. So cool, right? I used to think that they were originally used as means to send secret messages)
So these are the 5 most popular styles. As you read above, my favourite is the free verse, but different people have different tastes. Plus, there is WAY more styles than I put up here, so if you’re interested, you could totally go online and check them out.
I hope you enjoyed this short blog. Next I will be writing about my favourite poet!!
Take care of yourselves <3