How to Write a Shape Poem

A shape poem is a poem which forms a shape. There are no essential guidelines to writing this type of poetry. The poem may either be about the created image or the image may simply be something fascinating to look at for the reader.

The easiest way to create a shape poem (also known as a form poem or image poem) is to use dada. Dada is an art form which consists of sounds or random words intended to create meaning. EE Cummings is a particularly popular dada poet.

A more modern way to create a shape poem is to use a line per level of image. Here is an example:

                   A
                 Xmas
           Tree is wonderful
        But Christmas is still
       Christmas without a tree.
  What matters is not gifts or treats
    Or presents and shopping sprees
              But love
             and family

Although you might want your poem to be a bit better than this one, it is an example of how the shape can help form the way a poem flows and bring more meaning to the message.

So go ahead and try it out.