Poetry is a beautiful way to express creativity and emotions, and many forms exist to explore. Trying different styles can be exciting and fulfilling whether you're a seasoned poet or a beginner.
In this article, we will explore ten fun types of poems to write, each offering a unique way to unleash your creativity and delightfully express your thoughts. Whether you prefer the structured elegance of a haiku or the playful whimsy of a limerick, there's a poetic form that can suit your mood and style. From concrete poetry that plays with visual shapes to free verse that allows for unrestricted creative freedom, we'll journey through various forms that invite experimentation and joy. So grab your pen and let's dive into the wonderful world of 10 types of poems that are fun to write!
1. Haiku
The Haiku is a traditional Japanese form consisting of three lines with a syllable pattern 5-7-5 in the English language. This concise structure encourages poets to capture a moment in nature or a fleeting thought. For example, consider this Haiku by by R.M. Hansard entitled 'The West Wind Whispered:'
The west wind whispered,
And touched the eyelids of spring:
Her eyes, Primroses.
"The West Wind Whispered" by R.M. Hansard is a beautifully crafted haiku that captures the subtle interaction between nature and emotion. In just 17 syllables, the poem evokes a sense of gentleness and renewal, as the west wind softly caresses the arrival of spring.
Why Haikus Are Fun to Write
Writing haikus is fun because it invites imagination within a structured form. The challenge of capturing a moment, feeling, or observation in just 17 syllables encourages careful word choice and mindfulness. Each Haiku becomes a little gem, converting complex emotions into simplicity. Writing a Haiku can spark joy as you play with language, imagery, and nature, making it a fun and rewarding form of poetry.
Now, it's your turn to write a Haiku.
2. Limerick
Limericks are whimsical, often humorous poems that follow a strict rhyme scheme (AABBA) and a specific rhythm. They typically tell a short, amusing story. Here's a classic example by famous English Limerick writer and artist Edward Lear:
There was an old man of Nantucket
Who kept all his cash in a bucket;
But his daughter, named Nan,
Ran away with a man,
And as for the bucket, Nantucket.
The famous limerick "There was an old man of Nantucket" by Edward Lear is a delightful example of the whimsical and humorous style that defines his poetry. In just five lines, Lear crafts a playful narrative about an old man who amusingly keeps all his money in a bucket. The poem turns unexpectedly when his daughter, Nan, elopes with a man, leaving behind the old man's prized bucket, symbolizing his peculiar yet endearing character. With its lively rhythm and clever rhyme scheme, this limerick captures the essence of Lear's ability to evoke laughter and light-heartedness through simple yet engaging storytelling.
Why Limericks Are Fun to Write
Limericks are a fun form of poetry that combines a playful rhythm with a humorous twist. Their distinct AABBA rhyme scheme encourages creativity, allowing writers to explore their imaginations. The challenge of crafting witty lines that fit the meter can be quite enjoyable, fostering a sense of accomplishment when a clever punchline lands just right. Limericks often celebrate the absurd, making them a fantastic outlet for storytelling and wordplay, bringing smiles to both the writer and the reader.
Now, it's your turn to write a Limerick.
3. Concrete Poetry
In concrete poetry, the layout and shape of the words on the page are as important as the poem's content. These poems create visual representations of their subject, adding a tactile dimension to the reading experience. John Hollander's "Swan and Shadow" is a beautiful example of a concrete or shape poem.
Why Concrete Poems are Fun to Write
Concrete poems are fun to write because they blend visual artistry with poetic expression, allowing poets to experiment with the arrangement of words on the page. This creative freedom lets the poem's shape enhance its meaning, transforming the reading experience into a more immersive one. Crafting a concrete poem encourages playful exploration as you brainstorm how to visually represent your subject, whether a tree, a heart, an animal, or anything else. The challenge of aligning content and form inspires innovative thinking and can lead to surprising, delightful results that capture both the eye and the imagination.
Try crafting a poem about a tree that takes the shape of a tree!
4. Free Verse
Free verse poems have no predefined rules regarding rhyme or rhythm, allowing for a more organic and personal expression. This form lets your thoughts flow freely, making it ideal for those wishing to explore emotions or ideas without constraints. Here's a free verse poem by Stephen Crane entitled 'In the Desert:'
In the desert
I saw a creature, naked, bestial,
Who, squatting upon the ground,
Held his heart in his hands,
And ate of it.
I said, "Is it good, friend?"
"It is bitter—bitter," he answered;
"But I like it
"Because it is bitter,
"And because it is my heart."
Why Free Verse Poems Are Fun to Write
Free verse poems are a delight to write because they offer unparalleled artistic license and creative freedom. Without traditional rhyme and meter constraints, poets can explore their thoughts and emotions more organically, allowing their voices to flow naturally. This flexibility enables the use of vivid imagery and unconventional structures, encouraging experimentation with rhythm and line breaks. As a result, writing free verse can feel like an exhilarating journey, where each word choice and phrase can convey personal meaning, making the creative process both liberating and deeply fulfilling.
5. Acrostic
An acrostic poem features lines that begin with the letters of a word, spelling out that word vertically. This style can be a great way to explore themes or emotions. For instance, in Edgar Allan Poe's poem, 'An Acrostic,' he spells the name ELIZABETH:
Elizabeth it is in vain you say
'Love not' — thou sayest it in so sweet a way:
In vain those words from thee or L. E. L.
Zantippe's talents had enforced so well:
Ah! if that language from thy heart arise,
Breathe it less gently forth — and veil thine eyes.
Endymion, recollect, when Luna tried
To cure his love — was cured of all beside —
His folly — pride — and passion — for he died.
Why Acrostic Poems Are Fun to Write
Acrostic poems are fun to write because they allow for creativity and playfulness while providing a structured framework. The challenge of choosing a word and then crafting lines that relate to each letter encourages writers to think outside the box. This format can quickly spark inspiration, as each letter serves as a prompt for ideas, images, or emotions. Additionally, acrostic poems can be a delightful way to celebrate a theme, person, or concept, making them a popular choice for gifts or personal reflection. Combining structure and creativity in acrostic poetry often results in unique and meaningful expressions, making the writing process enjoyable and satisfying.
Now, compose an acrostic poem using the name of someone you love.
6. Cinquain
Cinquains are five-line poems that follow a specific syllable or word count pattern. One common form is the syllabic cinquain, which utilizes 2-4-6-8-2 syllables for each line. For example, the following poem entitled 'Release' was written by famous Cinquain poet Adelaide Crapsey:
With swift
Great sweep of her
Magnificent arm my pain
Clanged back the doors that shut my soul
From life.
Why Cinquain Poems Are Fun to Write
Cinquain poems are fun to write because they offer a delightful blend of structure and creativity. Their five-line format challenges writers to express emotions and ideas succinctly, often using vivid imagery and strong word choices. This brevity encourages experimentation with language, allowing poets to play with rhythm and sound in a way that feels both rewarding and liberating. Additionally, distilling thoughts into just a few lines can lead to unexpected insights and a deeper appreciation for wordcraft, making each cinquain a unique little gem of expression.
7. Narrative Poetry
Narrative poetry tells a story and often contains characters, a plot, and a setting. This form can range from epic tales to personal experiences. It provides a platform for storytelling through expressive language. An example might be the tale of a hero's journey or a day in the life of an ordinary person. One that you are no doubt familiar with is 'Paul Revere's Ride' by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Here's an excerpt:
Listen, my children, and you shall hear
Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere,
On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-Five:
Hardly a man is now alive
Who remembers that famous day and year.
He said to his friend, "If the British march
By land or sea from the town to-night,
Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry-arch
Of the North-Church-tower, as a signal-light,—
One if by land, and two if by sea;
And I on the opposite shore will be,
Ready to ride and spread the alarm
Through every Middlesex village and farm,
For the country-folk to be up and to arm."
[Read the rest 'Paul Revere's Ride'...]
Why Narrative Poems Are Fun to Write
Narrative poems are fun to write because they blend the art of storytelling with poetic expression, allowing poets to explore characters, settings, and plots in a rhythmic and lyrical format. This form encourages creativity as you weave a tale through verses, bringing emotions and experiences to life with vivid imagery and strong language. The challenge of developing a cohesive narrative while maintaining poetic techniques like meter and rhyme adds an engaging layer of complexity. Whether composing tales of adventure, love, or personal reflection, narrative poems invite you to immerse yourself in a world of imagination, making the writing process enjoyable and fulfilling.
Oh, this may take some time. Now, write a story in the form of a poem.
8. Villanelle
The villanelle is a 19-line form with a specific structure of five tercets followed by a quatrain featuring an ABA rhyme scheme. It includes repeating lines that create a musical quality. A famous example is the Dylan Thomas poem "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night."
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Why Villanelle is Fun to Write
Villanelles are fun to write because they blend structure with creative expression, allowing poets to explore complex emotions and themes within a strict format. Comprising 19 lines with a specific rhyme scheme (ABA) and a pattern of repeated lines, the villanelle challenges writers to convey depth and resonance within limitations. This repetition creates a musical quality and emphasizes key ideas, making the poem feel dynamic and cohesive. The blend of precision and freedom encourages playful experimentation with language and imagery, resulting in a satisfying and rewarding poetic experience that can resonate deeply with both the writer and the reader.
9. Sestina
A sestina consists of six stanzas of six lines each, followed by a three-line envoi. The end words of the first stanza are repeated in a specific pattern throughout the poem. This intricate structure can lead to surprising connections and evolutions in meaning. Below is a three-stanza excerpt of 'Sestina' by Algernon Charles Swinburne.
I saw my soul at rest upon a day
As a bird sleeping in the nest of night,
Among soft leaves that give the starlight way
To touch its wings but not its eyes with light;
So that it knew as one in visions may,
And knew not as men waking, of delight.
This was the measure of my soul's delight;
It had no power of joy to fly by day,
Nor part in the large lordship of the light;
But in a secret moon-beholden way
Had all its will of dreams and pleasant night,
And all the love and life that sleepers may.
But such life's triumph as men waking may
It might not have to feed its faint delight
Between the stars by night and sun by day,
Shut up with green leaves and a little light;
Because its way was as a lost star's way,
A world's not wholly known of day or night.
[Read the rest of 'Sestina'...]
Why a Sestina is Fun to Write
Writing a Sestina is fun because it challenges poets to engage deeply with language and structure while allowing for emotional exploration. This intricate form consists of six stanzas of six lines each, followed by a three-line envoi, with specific words repeating in a set pattern throughout the poem. The requirement to incorporate these repeated words in varied contexts encourages creativity and innovation, prompting writers to think outside the box as they capture complex themes or feelings. The repetitive nature of the Sestina can create a musical quality, enhancing the overall rhythm and resonance of the poem. Ultimately, the playful constraints of the form can lead to surprising connections and rich imagery, making the writing experience both rewarding and enjoyable.
10. List Poem
List poems are exactly what they sound like—poems that create a list or catalog of items, emotions, or thoughts. They can be whimsical, poignant, or informative. For instance, take a look at Michael Bazzett's '20/20 Lexicon' Poem:
Author: (n.) a primate who strikes bargains with words
Breath: (n.) an afterthought until it's not
Currency: (n.) cousin to current, it's meant to flow
Danger: (v.) torn from angels, born of anger
Empty: (v.) introduces a present absence
Faith: (n.) is a wicker cage holding invisible birds
Grind: (v.) is a word that skulks between your molars
Hearth: (n.) heart married earth and fire was born
Infinite: (n.) a word extending beyond its first and last letter
Joke: (n.) a staircase descending upward
Knife: (v.) introduces a cutting presence
Listen: (v.) the most useful rearrangement of silent
Maturation: (n.) masturbation with the B.S. removed
No: (n.) how cats say "I love you"
Onion: (n.) a translucent root full of tears
Permanent: (adj.) is what nothing is
Poetry: (n.) a virus that makes us see ghosts
Quibble: (v.) when neither side wishes to bite, so both nibble
Remember: (v.) opposite of dismember
Subtext: (n.) the weird basement beneath the book
Tuber: (v.) just say it out loud, you know what it is
Uvula: (n.) sounds like a genital, but it's not
Violin: (n.) wooden exoskeleton for yearning
Winter: (n.) when seeds play dead and dream of trees
Xenophobia: (n.) now available in concertina wire
Yes: (n.) how dogs say "I love you"
Zoom: (n.) sworn reversal of the Muse, see also: Hell
Why List Poems are Fun to Write
List poems are fun to write because compiling a series of related images, feelings, or ideas, poets can play with rhythm and repetition, creating a dynamic flow that engages the reader. The simplicity of listing items allows for personal expression and the inclusion of vivid details, making each line a new opportunity to evoke emotion or paint a picture. Writing a list poem can feel liberating, as it allows for spontaneity and the chance to capture many thoughts or observations in a cohesive piece. Plus, the playful challenge of arranging items for maximum impact can lead to delightful surprises and insights!
Unleash Your Creativity
Exploring different fun types of poetry is a delightful way to unleash creativity. Each form offers unique challenges and pleasures, allowing you to express your thoughts and feelings in diverse ways. Pick a style that resonates with you, or try them all—there's no wrong way to enjoy the art of poetry! Happy writing!
