The GIST of A List Poem

Continuing a series of in-depth posts about Poetry Forms (the overarching structure or pattern of a poem), this month we explore LIST POEMS.
 
What exactly is a list poem? It’s a poetry form which “highlights an intentional catalog of people, places, things, and ideas in relation to each other, evoking an emotion or story” according to the experts at the Academy of American Poets. (Find more about the Academy here.) Generally, in a list poem’s structure, the list section occupies the middle of the poem, with the poem's beginning lines used to set up the list, and the ending section used to summarize or offer an insightful comment about the list. What makes a list poem shine? Using poetic devices such as repetition and parallel structure (see anaphora post) may help create a rhythm or drive home a deeper connection for the reader. And of course, it is an opportunity to explore a topic in more depth.

List poems have been around a long time, with examples of list verses found as far back as Homer’s Illiad, which dates to the 8th century BC! Walt Whitman used this form as he detailed the varied workers across our nation in his beautiful poem “I Hear America Singing”
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Image by Peggy Marco / Pixabay

​I Hear America Singing
By Walt Whitman
 
I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear,
Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong,
The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam,
The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work,
The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck,
The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing as he stands,
The wood-cutter’s song, the ploughboy’s on his way in the morning, or at noon intermission or at sundown,
The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at work, or of the girl sewing or washing,
Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else,
The day what belongs to the day—at night the party of young fellows, robust, friendly,
Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs.
 
Do you hear the repetition of key words? The use of anaphora? The celebration of American workers and the different voices that all contribute to the nation’s song? It’s a classic example of a list poem.

Are list poems used in children’s literature? YES! Check out Deborah Underwood’s The Quiet Book, illustrated by Renata Liwska. This well-loved picture book celebrates the different kinds of quiet that a child might encounter from morning to night. Liwska’s illustrations play a vital role in showcasing Underwood’s short but perfectly descriptive text which reads like a bedtime lullaby, opening with “There are many kinds of quiet” . . .  and goes on to depict spread by spread, different examples of quiet with the reader feeling the emotion of each unique scene.

“Last one to get picked up from school quiet.”
“Swimming underwater quiet.” 
“Lollipop quiet.”  
Read this classic book to learn more about how a list poem structure can work beautifully to convey a surprising list of emotions.

Take a closer look at It’s Fall! by Renee Kurilla. Diving into the wonder of the season, this book celebrates the many ways that fall is delightful in the structure of a list poem. The opening text sets it up: 
 
Colors bursting, shadows tall.
There’s lots to celebrate—it’s fall!
 
Early-morning sunny skies.
Back to school with new supplies. . . .

(Seek out your own copy to read more and discover the ending.) Kurilla also offers It’s Winter! and It’s Spring! in this seasonal celebration.

Poet Laura Purdie Salas and artist Violeta Dadija open their delicious picture book, A Leaf Can Be . . . with this bit of text:
 
A leaf is a leaf, a bit of a tree.
But just try to guess what else it can be!
 
Pages unfold to show the leaf as a tree topper, rain stopper, shade spiller, mouth filler and many other roles a leaf takes in the natural world. You’ll have to read it, or the companion books, A Rock Can Be, Water Can Be to find out more. All of these books are essentially lovely list poems.
 
You often find list poems in poetry collections, too! See if you can hunt and find one in your favorite collection. More children’s books that are structured as list poems for your reading list:
What to Do with a Stick? By Jane Yolen
All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon
A House is a House for Me by Mary Ann Hoberman
A Sock is a Pocket for Your Toes by Liz Garton Scanlon
Thankful by Eileen Spinelli
A Hug is for Holding Me by Lisa Wheeler
 
What type of list poem will you create?
 
Eileen Meyer, Rhyme Doctor