Concrete Concrete PoemsPoems

Concrete PoetryConcrete Poetry

• In concrete poetry the form of the poem is In concrete poetry the form of the poem is as important as the language.as important as the language.

• A concrete poem is meant to be seen as a A concrete poem is meant to be seen as a visual object and is at least as notable for visual object and is at least as notable for its graphic design as for its verbal its graphic design as for its verbal meaning.meaning.

• Concrete poems are not meant simply to Concrete poems are not meant simply to be read but to be viewed as well.be read but to be viewed as well.

• There are two types: text-play and shape.There are two types: text-play and shape.

Text-play PoetryText-play Poetry

• In Text-play poetry often there is no In Text-play poetry often there is no systematic linear meaning of words, but systematic linear meaning of words, but the letters and words themselves are the letters and words themselves are objects of art and are moved around to objects of art and are moved around to create a visual impression.create a visual impression.

l(al(a

leleafaffafa

llll

s)s)oneonell

inessinessby e. e. cummingsby e. e. cummings

Garafolo, Michael. http://www.gardendigest.com/concrete/cvp52.htm

http://www.gardendigest.com/concrete/cvp54.htm

http://www.gardendigest.com/concrete/cvp54.htm

http://www.gardendigest.com/concrete/cvp54.htm

Onion Garden

http://www.gardendigest.com/concrete/cvp54.htm

“Drunk Driver”

Shape PoetryShape Poetry

• In Shape poetry the words themselves In Shape poetry the words themselves create the shape of the object the words create the shape of the object the words are describing.are describing.