MIXING IT UP with poetry forms: CONCRETE POEMS

I'm continuing my series with a deeper dive into various poetry forms. So far we've looked at List poems and Haiku if you'd like to review those posts. Today's topic: Concrete poetry, also known as shape poetry, is “a form of playing with words, ideas, letters, and art. It is, in a sense, a picture poem, one that gives not only words but delight to the eye.” (Myra Cohn Livingston, Poem-Making) The poem’s words are placed or fit into the construct of a recognizable shape to reflect the poem’s subject. That’s the challenge – can you select the right wording to not only capture the subject matter effectively with lyrical language, but also form it into a pleasing shape to reflect your topic! Achieving this can be more difficult than it sounds. Let’s explore some concrete poem examples from a few children’s picture books.

Joan Bransfield Graham’s picture book, AWESOME EARTH: CONCRETE POEMS CELEBRATE CAVES, CANYONS, AND OTHER FASCINATING LANDFORMS (Illustrated by Tania Garcia, 2025) uses concrete poetry to dig into shapes and forms found on Earth. Volcanoes, canyons, and archipelagos are just a few examples of the shape poem topics found in this delightful picture book. Check out this selection about Continents--it showcases how a poem can be laid out creatively to reflect the topic. Not only does the poem split apart to visually depict the key fact that gigantic landmasses broke apart millions of years ago and drifted to create today's seven continents, but some words are laid out uniquely (see word "LIKE") to mimic the lower narrow portion of South America. The two-part poem also shows its puzzle-piece relationship to the continent of Africa. Terrific poem in both word selection and visual display!

In Bob Raczka's poetry collection, WET CEMENT: A MIX OF CONCRETE POEMS (2016), he notes that with each poem in the book, he's done two things. First, for the poem's title, he's created "pictures with letters." (I really like this extra twist in his poetry collection - each title is fascinating! See below.) And in the poem itself, he's arranged "words in the shape of the thing the poem is about or in a way that emphasizes the poem's meaning." Take a closer look at this poem about hangers - those common household items we use to hang up our coats and jackets each day, and we don't give them much thought. . . And notice who is speaking in the poem - the hanger! (Essentially, a mask voice in this poem, too! An object (the hanger) is speaking, NOT you.)

Finally, one more poem from a classic book--Heidi B. Roemer's COME TO MY PARTY AND OTHER SHAPE POEMS (Illustrated by Hideko Takahashi, 2004) With a whirl through the four seasons, you'll find concrete poems that celebrate shapes linked to the different times of year.  A favorite of mine, this lovely winter poem about icicles! 

​Crafting a poem can be quite challenging, and adapting it to a specified shape adds another layer of complexity. We've looked at poems shaped like two continents, a household hanger, and frozen icicles. So creative! I hope you'll check out these picture books featuring concrete poetry by these accomplished poets--and try to write one of your own, too!

Happy creating!
Eileen Meyer, Rhyme Doctor