Writer’s Corner: Types of Poetry: Concrete and Kennings Poems

by Helen McCarthy

There are many different kinds of poetry which are fun and tap into your creativity. Here are two examples.

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CONCRETE (SHAPE) POEM

A concrete poem describes an object and is written in the shape of that object.

volcano

a huge rock

shooting up lava into

the air! Everyone runs for

cover. Lots of thick, black smoke

pours out of the top, giving you a warning

before the explosions, Nothing can stand in its

way. Sometimes they don’t blow up for hundreds of years

This type of poetry combines both written and artistic skills.

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KENNINGS POEM

To continue the theme of creating poetry from objects, there is also the Kennings poem which uses two words in each line to describe someone or object. It consists of several stanzas.

The 1918 Ford Ride

 

Engine-cranking

leather-creaking

headlight-glowing

window-rattling

 

pedal-pushing

tire-thumping

wheel-gripping

door-shaking

 

motor-rumbling

seat-springing

brake-squeaking

time-traveling