Dec 20 2008
Definition of Poetry?
Poetry cannot be defined as one strict type of writing. Poems are conceived of thoughts and ideas and therefore do not adhere to one absolute definition. However there are literally hundreds of types of poetry both traditional and non traditional in form and style. The nineteenth century and romantics are an example of classic traditional styles. There are odes, sonnets, ballads, villanelles etc… All of these maintain forms which are lyrical in nature and consist of musical interpretations.
As poets we all write in various forms in which we feel comfortable. However it is necessary to read and understand the classics in order to improve our unique style when creating a poem. Much like history, we need to know the past in order to understand who we are and to enrich our lives with that understanding. It’s the same in poetry. It is also challenging and fun to explore the different types of poetry that have been and still are being created.
The most comprehensive list of poetic forms I have seen are located on the Shadow Poetry website. Each form is explained with examples. Visit the Shadow Poetry page and try out some new forms.
