Poetry Forms

Sometimes when I am stuck for a poetry idea (as can often happen--especially during NaPoWriMo!), I use some of these forms to help me get started. It is important to remember, though, that the form is not enough. You can fulfill the technical requirements of one of the forms, but have a poem that is mechanical and lifeless. It  is important to put yourself and your passion into what you write.

Acrostic

Cherita

Cinquain

Clerihew

Diamante

Dodoitsu

Etheree

Fibanocci Sequence Poem

Gogyohka

Haiku

hay(na)ku

Kwansaba

Lai

Lanturne

Pantoum

Portrait Poem


Quinzaine

Rispetto

Rondolet

The Rothko

Sedoka

Senryu

Sestina

Shadorma

Somonka

Tanka

Triolet

Tritina

Villanelle