Celebrate Diversity - Poetic Styles

If everyone was motivated by the same desires, employed the same narrow vocabulary or wrote with the exact same styles what a boring literary world this would be. I took a tongue in cheek poke at the range of emotions in this piece; [link]

Even more interesting is the range of styles being utilized. Presented is a small sampling from the browsing of various individual talents, Galleries and Clubs I have visited and/or joined recently. Obviously, the examples presented are just the tiniest tip of the iceberg of the styles, forms and individual talent that exists in this richly imbued literary community.

It is my sincere hope to stimulate a fresh interest in reading poetry for those who are stuck with a greeting card, cookie cutter understanding of this literary form.

Open styles; these are arguably the easiest to construct. Rhyming tends to be more casual than intentional and open styles often rely more on word-craft and imagery for their impact. This often extends to either the omission of, or random, capitol lettering and punctuation. (Disclaimer: This author is most comfortable with traditional punctuation use. Examples shown are what I have deemed to be representative.)

Deceivingly simple in form does not equate to a lack of emotional impact…
Desire [link] by LadyLincoln [link]

This collaboration of TyC113 [link] and VertigoArt [link] is also one in which random capitalization and punctuation is employed. Photograph [link]

Here, traditional punctuation is employed but emphasis is provided by the means of creative spacing and/or a repeated unpunctuated theme voiced in bold.
In One Moment [link] by Nik-o [link] Curl [link] by OnyxPhoenix [link]

Traditional punctuation in open form poetry or verse does not mean that it is boring or uninteresting. Here is one of my personal favorites. Open-24-7 [link] by Mattiello [link]

Note that while “random” punctuation and capitalization can be a “tool” of expression in the piece, don’t be lazy, be intentional. (Beware artists, where truly “random”, disregarding rules of grammer can be a great distraction; hindering emotional impact, flow, and an understanding what you trying to express.) Additional comment in the context of appreciating criticism here; [link] by rlkirkland [link]


Fixed forms;(rhyming is not necessarily the primary means of expression).

Shapes and varied fonts may be employed in visual poetry;
Droplet [link] by bloodedveils [link]
Hidden Feelings [link] by Plim-Chan [link]

Other forms that utilize shape or actually create their shapes by specific line or syllable counts include;
The Rictameter and Tetractys
Cupid – A Rictameter [link] by pamelaski [link]
Cupid was chosen as best of the “Form of the Month” by versebyverse

A “Double Tetractys” example. Of Hope & Fear [link] by rlkirkland [link]

Other “Fixed Forms” offer much variety in both visual and emotional impact. Not all forms are included here nor are all those listed represented by examples. This is just to whet you appetite for the broad variety of what is awaiting your reading pleasure in the field of poetry and verse.
Examples include; Acrostic, Ballad, Haiku, Palindrome and Sonnet just to name a few.

Palindrome - Life Consumes Life Palindrome [link] by The-Seksy [link]

Sonnet – Walking Home [link] by SusanDarsh [link]

Haiku - Truth at the Break of Dawn [link] by NaiveMaturity [link]

Here are some good starting points in your exploration of absorbing, emotionally stirring and visually satisfying poetry. There are many more. Happy hunting.

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