Poetry is an ancient art form that has captivated people since time immemorial. It is a unique genre of writing that carries meaning across generations, invoking deep emotion through wordplay, imagery, and sound. Many different types of poems exist, and we’ll discuss some of them in this article. Note that it is only meant to be a basic introduction into the varieties of poetic experience. For those who want to learn more about types of poetry, we recommend reading this comprehensive article.
7 Different Types of Poems
As a form of expression, poetry encompasses many different writing techniques and stylistic elements. There are many different types of poems, such as sonnets, odes, haikus, epic poems, ballads, limericks, and acrostic poems – just to name a few. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular ones!
Sonnet
Magnificence, munificence, precision,
And, after all, her eyes’ magnetic touch,
Reverberating through the hearts and such
To make their owners objects of derision.
I was among them, caught in indecision,
Naively thinking I had been too much,
Avenging rhymes that seemed a perfect clutch,
But ended up without a proper vision.
One of the lessons learned from this endeavor
Negates the need to ever love again
Obsessively, which is a way to trouble.
Like most of us, I grew a little clever:
Imagination broke the fancy chain
So now I’m free. And yet, my spirit wobbles.
D. Rudoy. Sonnet #2. “Love is Poetry”
Sonnets are often thought of as a traditional poem style, although their origins do not go further than the 12th century. Today, the classic sonnet is comprised of fourteen lines written mostly in iambic pentameter and organized into two quatrains (or four lines) and one couplet (or two lines). This structure is broken down further into divisions by rhyme scheme – typically an “abab cdcd efef gg” pattern. The lengthier quatrains often set up a description or focus on a bigger idea, while the final couplet generally offers insight or resolution.
There are other types of this famous poetic form as well, such as Shakespearean sonnet, Miltonic sonnet, Spenserian sonnet, and Petrarchan sonnet, each varying slightly in their structure. Sonnets remain popular today due to their simple yet sophisticated form that allows readers to explore fundamental topics like love in a powerful and memorable way.
Ode
Odes are a type of poem typically written to praise a person, object, or event. Odes can be formal but are often more informal than other types of poetry, such as sonnets and elegies.
Many odes contain elements like extended metaphors and adopted poetic forms, however, they don’t always have to do so. The purpose of writing an ode is to honor the subject.
While some odes contain multiple stanzas with several rhyming first and third lines or third and fourth lines, others consist of one long line without any set rhyme scheme or meter. There is no definitive way to write an ode, so poets have plenty of freedom when crafting them.
Ballads
Ballads are a type of narrative poem that has been around since the early 13th century. Characterized by spoken or chanted verses, this narrative poetic form tells stories of love, heroes, villains, adventures, famous battles, and tragedies. They usually carry a strong emotional core, which evokes feelings of passion, sorrow, or joy.
The classic poets known for their ballads are Robert Burns and Lord Byron. Many ballads use personification in a narrative style to create vivid imagery and cleverly shaped rhymes. While traditionally delivered orally, ballads have been performed musically for centuries by composers all over the world in different cultures with various instruments.
A modern English ballad:
Haiku
Haikus are a Japanese form of poetry requiring the poet to evoke powerful images and emotions in just three lines. The traditional haiku must contain 17 syllables in three lines with 5-7-5 syllable structure respectively.
Seemingly simple on the surface, this type of host poetic form requires poets to search deeply within their imaginations and craft thematic snapshots of their surroundings. A single image from nature is typically at the root of each poem, as it is believed that nature evokes profound emotional responses essential for writing a captivating haiku.
This type of poetry combines intense imagery and structures it into a flowing piece of art that reflects upon some facet of life along with its beauty and tragedy.
Epic Poem
Epic poetry combines traditional poetic forms like the ode, elegy, and lyric poetry with extended epic language capturing timeless themes, focusing on universal truths like courage, friendship, betrayal and despair while using captivating storytelling.
Epic poems span vast periods and cover events over days or weeks instead of just moments (think Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey). Building up to a climax, the epic poem can use elements like clashing armies or supernatural beings to bring out heroic struggles between competing forces, stressing human fate in a wider context.
Epic poets can evoke feelings of empathy as they create grandiose tales open to universal interpretation, deeming these age-old classics to remain relevant regardless of the era.
Elegy
The elegy is a type of poem without particular rules written in response to grieving, death, or loss. It is an emotional poem expressing sadness and lamenting, usually for a loved one who has recently passed away or gone through a tragedy. In some cases, a breakup can also become a suitable reason.
While interpretations can vary greatly depending on the author, an elegy often reflects on humanity’s mortality, acknowledges life’s losses, and recognizes the joy found in remembrance. Commonly composed from personal reflections, elegies capture intimate moments along with feelings that range from regret and sorrow to consolation.
Throughout history, poets have used this powerful form to reflect on and share their personal experiences and demonstrated through elegies that diverse writing styles can effectively portray the depth of negative human emotion in unique ways that are not found in other types of poetry.
Acrostic Poems
The acrostic is a special type of poetry in which each line’s foremost letter spells out a word or phrase vertically down the page. This unique style gives poets the freedom to create narratives that reflect a broad range of topics and styles while also providing an opportunity to express a secret message.
Sex is like tide,
Love doesn’t mean marry,
Youth never knows where it stands.Thinner than ice on a lake in October,
Higher than pedestals of the gold medals,
I interrupt the internal harangue.
Never before have I done it so sober:
Gone right inside the pink princess of petals,
Slippery after a touch of my tongue.Lonesome as always, and knowing, and wishing…
Oh, what a mystery knocks on the door!
Velvetly, bluishly, anything really:
Every emotion is wildly unleashing,
Rhymes are imperfect: why wait you for more,
Sinister Master? Do me now, will you!Spread your sails wide
And let the wind carry
You to the promised of lands.
D. Rudoy. Sly Things Lovers Say. “Love is Poetry”
Final Words
Whether through short ballads, epic poems, haikus, or elegies, poetry is a powerful and timeless form of art that can evoke deep feelings and emotions. Each poetic form serves a distinct purpose, capturing something unique and lasting about life and its many complexities. Poetry entices us to explore the world from a different perspective and provides a platform for self-reflection. By appreciating its depth, beauty, and complexity, we can gain a considerable understanding of ourselves and our place in the universe.
We hope you found this quick journey into different types of poems useful, and if we whetted your appetite for more, check out our section of contemporary poetry.