6 Steps To Write A Concrete Poem In Few Minutes

Learn how to write a concrete poem quickly. Follow these easy steps to mix art and poetry in minutes.

Stephan Spencer

Published on: 16-09-2024

Reviewed by: Hazel Max

Concrete poems are special because they use words to make shapes on the page. They're fun because they mix art and writing.

People love them because they're creative and different from normal poems. You don't need to be a great poet to make one.

In fact, you can create your own concrete poem quickly and easily.

According to a study published in the Journal of Creative Writing Studies, teachers report a 40% increase in student engagement and creativity when incorporating concrete poetry into the curriculum.

This article will show you how to write a concrete poem in just a few minutes.

So, get ready to turn your words into art.

Definition

A concrete poem is a special kind of poem where the words create a picture on the page. The shape of the poem matches what it's about.

For example, a poem about rain might look like raindrops falling. The words and their arrangement are both important in telling the story.

There are different types of poems that have some specification. However, concrete poems can be any shape - like stars, trees, or even faces.

You don't always read these poems from top to bottom. Sometimes you follow the shape to understand the meaning.

According to Poetry Foundation Publication Statistics, concrete poetry collections have seen a 25% increase in publication over the last decade, reflecting its growing interest and use in contemporary poetry.

Rules of writing concrete poem

Following are the rules of writing a concrete poem:

1. Align theme with shape

When you write a concrete poem, make sure the shape matches what your poem is about. If your poem is about a tree, make it look like a tree. If it's about a star, shape it like a star.

This helps readers understand your poem better. The shape should give a clue about what you're writing. Remember, in concrete poetry, how your poem looks is just as important as the words you use. Always think: "Does my poem's shape fit its theme?"

Sometimes, picking a theme and shape can be trickier than you think. You might start out feeling confident, but then reality hits!

"When you think writing a concrete poem will be easy"

"And then you see your first draft"

2. Ensure shape clarity

Your concrete poem's shape should be clear and easy to see. Don't make it too complicated. If people can't tell what shape it is, they might not understand your poem.

Use simple shapes that everyone can recognize.

For example, a heart, a circle, or a triangle are good choices. If you're making a more complex shape, like an animal, keep it simple.

The clearer your shape, the better your readers will understand your poem's message.

3. Be concise

In concrete poetry, you don't need lots of words. Use just enough to make your shape and tell your story. Every word should count. Think carefully about each word you choose.

Ask yourself, "Do I really need this word?"

If not, take it out. Short words often work best because they're easier to fit into shapes. The shape and the words work together to share your message.

4. Place words carefully

Where you put your words in a concrete poem is very important. Each word should help create the shape you want. They need to fit together just right to make your picture.

Some words might go along the edge of your shape. Others might fill up the middle. Play around with where you put each word until your shape looks good.

5. Maintain readability

Even though your concrete poem makes a shape, people still need to be able to read it. Make sure your words are clear and not too squished together.

Use a font that's easy to read. If your poem is handwritten, write neatly. Think about which direction people should read your poem - top to bottom, left to right, or following a special path.

Give clues to help readers know where to start and how to follow your poem.

6. Use effective line breaks and spacing

In writing a poem, breaking up lines and using space is really important. Line breaks can help create your shape. They can also add meaning to your words.

Use spaces to make parts of your shape or to separate ideas. You might leave some areas blank to help form your picture.

Spaces can also make your poem easier to read. Play around with different line breaks and spacing until your poem looks just right.

Step-by-step guide

Here are the 6 steps to write a concrete poem:

1. Choose a theme

Picking a theme is the first step in making your concrete poem. Think what you want to write about.

It could be anything - your favorite animal, a feeling, or even an object you like. The theme is important because it will decide the shape of your poem.

For example, if you choose "heart" as your theme, your poem might look like a heart.

2. Sketch the shape

Now that you have your theme, it's time to draw its shape. Take a piece of paper and lightly sketch the outline of your chosen object or idea.

Keep it simple. This sketch will be your guide for writing the poem. If you choose a butterfly theme, draw a basic butterfly shape.

Don't worry about details yet. The goal is to have a clear outline that you can fill with words later.

When you're sketching your shape, you might surprise yourself with your artistic skills. Who knows, you might even discover a hidden talent.

"Step 1: Choose a shape for your poem"

"Step 2: Realize you just invented modern art"

3. Draft the poem

Now you can write your poem. Think about words that relate to your theme. If your theme is "tree," you might think of words like leaves, branches, and roots.

Write down all the words and phrases that come to mind. Don't worry about making them fit the shape yet. Just focus on writing about your theme.

Your poem doesn't need to rhyme, but it should say something about your chosen topic. Keep your sentences short and simple.

You can also create a poem using a poem generator in a few seconds. It will help you write poems on any theme. You may also choose length and creativity of your poem

4. Arrange the words

Start by writing your words along the outline of your sketch. Then, fill in the middle with more words.

You might need to play around with the size and direction of your writing to make everything fit.

Some words might be big, others small. You can curve words or write them up and down. The goal is to make your words create the shape you want.

5. Refine the shape

Look at your poem. Does it clearly show the shape you wanted?

If not, it's time to make some changes. You might need to add more words in some areas or take some away in others.

Try using different sizes of writing to help define the shape better. If parts of your shape aren't clear, you can draw a light outline around those areas.

Keep adjusting until you're happy with how it looks.

6. Review and dit

The last step is to check your work. Read your poem out loud.

Does it make sense?
Are there any spelling mistakes?

Make sure every word is important and fits with your theme. If you find words that don't quite fit, replace them with better ones.

Also, check that your shape is clear and matches your theme. If needed, make final adjustments to the arrangement of words. When you're satisfied with both the words and the shape, your concrete poem is complete.

Examples

These are some examples of concrete poem:

1. Easter Wings

Poet: George Herbert

Written in: 1633

Lord, who created man in wealth and store,

Though foolishly he lost the same,

Decaying more and more,

Till he became

Most poore:

With thee

O let me rise

As larks, harmoniously,

And sing this day thy victories:

Then shall the fall further the flight in me.

My tender age in sorrow did beginne

And still with sicknesses and shame.

Thou didst so punish sinne,

That I became

Most thinne.

With thee

Let me combine,

And feel thy victorie:

For, if I imp my wing on thine,

Affliction shall advance the flight in me.

2. Silencio

Poet: Eugen Gomringer

Written in: 1954

silence silence silence

silence silence

silence silence silence

3. Swan and Shadow

Poet: John Hollander

Written in: 1971

Dusk

Above the

water hang the

loud

flies

Here

O so

gray

then

What A pale signal will appear

When Soon before its shadow fades

Where Here in this pool of opened eye

In us No Upon us As at the very edges

of where we take shape in the dark air

this object bares its image awakening

ripples of recognition that will

brush darkness up into light

even after this bird this hour both drift by atop the perfect sad instant now

already passing out of sight

toward yet-untroubled reflection

this image bears its object darkening

into memorial shades Scattered bits of

light No of water Or something across

water Breaking up No Being regathered

soon Yet by then a swan will have

gone Yes out of mind into what

vast

pale

hush

of a

place

past

sudden dark as

if a swan

sang

4. The Altar

Poet: George Herbert

Written in: 1633

A broken ALTAR, Lord, thy servant rears,

Made of a heart and cemented with tears:

Whose parts are as thy hand did frame;

No workman's tool hath touch'd the same.

A HEART alone

Is such a stone,

As nothing but

Thy pow'r doth cut.

Wherefore each part

Of my hard heart

Meets in this frame,

To praise thy name:

That if I chance to hold my peace,

These stones to praise thee may not cease.

Oh, let thy blessed SACRIFICE be mine,

And sanctify this ALTAR to be thine.

Tips and tricks

Begin with a simple shape and theme. As you get more comfortable, you can experiment with more complex designs.
Use a concrete generator to create your poem, enter your theme and choose shape. It will generate a great poem.
Utilize word processing software with text wrapping and shape tools to help you easily manipulate the text into shapes.
Different fonts can help convey different emotions and fit better into various parts of your shape. Don’t be afraid to mix and match.
Vary the font size to fit words into tight spaces or to emphasize certain parts of your concrete poetry.
Adding colors can enhance the visual appeal and help distinguish different parts of the poem.
Use bold or italic text to highlight key words or phrases within your shape.

Conclusion

Creating a concrete poem is a fun way to mix art and writing. You can make one in just a few minutes by following all the above simple steps. However, the shape of your poem is just as important as the words you use.

Concrete poems let you express your ideas in a unique way. So why not give it a try? With a little practice, you'll be making amazing concrete poems that look great and share your thoughts in a special way.

Other Relevant Guides:

FAQs

1. Do I need to be good at drawing to create a concrete poem?

No, you don't need to be an artist. Simple shapes work well and can effectively convey your theme.

2. How do I choose a theme for my concrete poem?

Choose a theme that interests you and can be represented visually, like an object, feeling, or scene.

3. Can a concrete poem be about any subject?

Yes, a concrete poem can be about anything. The key is to match the shape with the poem's subject.

4. How long should a concrete poem be?

There's no set length. Your poem should be concise enough to fit into your chosen shape without overcrowding.

5. Can I use different font styles and sizes in my poem?

Yes, varying fonts and sizes can help emphasize certain words and enhance the visual appeal of your poem.

6. What if my poem doesn't fit perfectly into the shape?

You can adjust the size, direction, and placement of your words. Sometimes, simplifying your shape or reworking your text can help.