Concrete Poetry
Concrete Poetry
Words as Shape, Shape as Meaning
Words as Shape, Shape as Meaning
Write a concrete poem, where the words on the page take the shape of the poem’s subject. Concrete poetry isn’t just about meaning—it’s about form and image working together.
This is not just decoration—the shape should add meaning, tension, or contrast to the poem itself. Consider:
A falling leaf whose words fragment and scatter as they drift down the page.
A storm cloud whose words seem heavy, pressing downward.
A burning candle where the poem shrinks line by line, flickering toward an ending.
A heartbeat that pulses with repeated phrases, expanding and contracting visually.
You can also play with contrast between form and content:
A poem shaped like a gun that speaks about peace.
A poem shaped like a wave that talks about stillness.
A poem shaped like a broken mirror reflecting an unbroken truth.
Concrete poetry is both visual art and writing. Your goal is to create something that can only exist in this form.
The shape must contribute to the meaning of the poem.
The words must be arranged on the page to reflect or contrast with the subject.
The poem should still be strong as writing—imagery, sound, and rhythm matter.
The final product should feel like a fusion of visual and literary art.
Plan your shape first. Sketch it out lightly on paper, then decide how words can fill or form that space.
Think about movement. Can the shape guide the reader’s eye in a way that mirrors the poem’s emotion or theme?
Use space intentionally. Gaps between words, changes in font size, or curved text can create additional meaning.
Experiment with formatting tools. Some students may prefer to handwrite their poem, while others may use Google Docs, Canva, or drawing tools to shape the words.
Guillaume Apollinaire’s Calligrammes (classic shape-based poetry)
E.E. Cummings’ experimental poetry (words breaking and reforming visually)
Mary Ellen Solt’s “Flowers in Concrete Poetry” (nature-based shape poetry)