Karen's+User's+Guide


 * How to Write a Concrete Poem **

Concrete poetry, also called visual, shape, or pattern poetry, was developed in the 1950s. A concrete poem’s shape or arrangement depends on its subject matter. The poem’s words create the picture which is intertwined with its meaning.Consider "The Mouse's Tale" from Lewis Carrol's //Alice's Adventures in Wonderland// set in the shape of a mouse tail.

One thing to remember when writing a concrete poem is that if the text of the poem was removed from the visual context or vice versa, it would weaken the poem or change its meaning. Don’t worry about trying to get all the information down. The shape will help the reader fill in the syntactic gaps within the text of the poem. Writers of concrete poetry should also consider how the reader/viewer interprets the poem. First readers perceive the design and interpret the meanings of the image. Next readers will decipher the meaning of the text. Finally, the reader will then combine the two elements and evaluate the whole poem.

As shape and meaning are interconnected, one of the first things to think about is either a shape or a concept. Many __people find__ it easier to pick a shape or object first and then brainstorm ideas based off that shape. Others brainstorm a concept or idea first and then pick the shape. The object can be the __topic__ of the poem or relate to the topic of the poem such as with these two examples.



After you have a shape or concept (or both), __begin__ brainstorming. What is the significance of the object/idea? Are there any specific elements or events you want in the poem? Brainstorming can simply be words or phrases. Don’t try and write the poem immediately. Take some time to think and plan. The more you have to pull from, the better the poem will be.

Once you have some basic ideas, you can __begin__ to organize and write the poem. Remember, concrete poems have no set length or rhyme scheme. They can be very structured or written in __free__ verse. How you organize the poem is purely up to you, although some visual arrangements will __work__ better with certain concepts than others so experiment.

Some people prefer to place the words within the object such as in this example.



Others like Court Smith's //Dove's Song// format the words to look like the outline of the object.



==== Also, consider that the space around your poem is important as well. Vary the fonts, s p a c i n g, size, and CASING of the words or phrases. Use color. Many concrete poems are not read in the traditional left to right manner but force the reader to rotate the page.Take for example J. K. Phillips' //Circle of a Life//. ====



==== Another concern involves presentation. If you want your finished poems to be typed, you will need to have special software or graphic programs to get the desired results. Regular word processors can only handle basic shapes. Complex poems can still be written or drawn out. Don’t stress, if one way doesn’t work try a different arrangement, change some words, and just keep writing. ====