Writing good poetry can be incredibly challenging, and sometimes just trying to understand it can be tiresome. But if you think writing poetry requires a minor in rocket science, think again.
There are so many different types of poems, and many have very few rules. All you have to do is select a style that appeals to you and let your creativity flow!
12 Different Types of Poems
Below is a list of some of the most common types of poetry, their main characteristics, and famous examples of each.
You may prefer to read certain types of poems, while for other types you may enjoy writing your own! Familiarize yourself with these different styles and see if any spark your imagination.
1. Sonnet
Sonnets are practically synonymous with Shakespeare, but there are actually two different kinds of this famous poetic form. Having originated in 13th century Italy, the sonnet usually deals with love and has two common forms: the Petrarchan (named for its famous practitioner, the poet Petrarch) and the Shakespearean (also known as the English sonnet). Each type contains 14 lines but comes with its own set of rules.
Petrarchan Sonnet
Characteristics and Rules:
- 2 stanzas
- Presents an argument, observation, or question in the first 8 lines
- Turn (or “volta”) between 8th and 9th lines
- Second stanza answers the question or issue posed in the first
- Rhyme Scheme: ABBA, ABBA, CDECDE
Shakespearean Sonnet
- 3 quatrains (4 lines each) and a couplet (2 lines)
- Couplet usually forms a conclusion
- Rhyme scheme: ABAB, CDCD, EFEF, GG
Example of a Sonnet
Shakespeare’s Sonnet 130
My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun;
Coral is far more red than her lips’ red;
If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.
I have seen roses damask’d, red and white,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks;
And in some perfumes is there more delight
Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.
I love to hear her speak, yet well I know
That music hath a far more pleasing sound;
I grant I never saw a goddess go;
My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground:
And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare
As any she belied with false compare.
2. Villanelle
Villanelles have even more specific rules than sonnets. Luckily, many of the lines are repetitions, but this means you’ll have to take care to make those lines meaningful.
Villanelle Characteristics and Rules
- 19 lines
- 5 stanzas of 3 lines each
- 1 closing stanza of 4 lines
- Rhyme scheme: ABA, ABA, ABA, ABA, ABA, ABAA
- Line 1 repeats in lines 6, 12, and 18
- Line 3 repeats in lines 9, 15, and 19
Examples of Villanelles
3. Haiku
You might remember writing a few of these back in grade school, because not only are these poems short, but they can be very fun to write.
The haiku originated in 17th century Japan. Although they usually refer to nature, the only real rule applies to the number of syllables in each line, so you can let your imagination run wild with this one.
Haiku Characteristics and Rules
- 3 lines
- Line 1 contains 5 syllables
- Line 2 contains 7 syllables
- Line 3 contains 5 syllables
Example of Haiku
Matsuo Bashō, “By the Old Temple”:
By the old temple,
peach blossoms;
a man treading rice.
4. Ekphrastic Poems
Ekphrastic poems don’t really have specific rules, but they do speak of another work of art.
Ekphrasis comes from the Greek word for “description,” and that’s exactly what this poem should do: vividly describe a painting, statue, photograph, or story. One famous example is found in the Iliad, where Homer refers to Achilles’ shield.
Examples of Ekphrastic Poetry
5. Concrete Poems
Concrete poetry is designed to take a particular shape or form on the page. Poets can manipulate spacing or layout to emphasize a theme or important element in the text, or sometimes they can take the literal shape of their subjects.
Example of Concrete Poetry
“The Altar” by George Herbert was intended to resemble a church altar:
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.
6. Elegy
The elegy is another type of poem that lacks particular rules, but it usually is written in mourning following a death. They can be written for a particular person, or treat the subject of loss more generally.
Example of an Elegy
One famous example of an elegy is Walt Whitman’s “O Captain, My Captain,” which Whitman wrote following the assassination of Abraham Lincoln:
O Captain! My Captain! rise up and hear the bells;
Rise up—for you the flag is flung—for you the bugle trills;
For you bouquets and ribbon’d wreaths—for you the shores a-crowding;
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;
Here captain! dear father!
This arm beneath your head;
It is some dream that on the deck,
You’ve fallen cold and dead.
My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still;
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will;
The ship is anchor’d safe and sound, its voyage closed and done;
From fearful trip, the victor ship, comes in with object won;
Exult, O shores, and ring, O bells!
But I, with mournful tread,
Walk the deck my captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.
7. Epigram
Epigrams are short, witty, and often satirical poems that usually take the form of a couplet or quatrain (2-4 lines in length).
Example of an Epigram
An example of this wit is provided by Samuel Taylor Coleridge:
Sir, I admit your general rule,
That every poet is a fool,
But you yourself may serve to show it,
That every fool is not a poet.
Epigrams are not exclusive to poetry. They are also commonly used as literary devices and in speeches. John F. Kennedy’s famous quote, “Mankind must put an end to war, or war will put an end to mankind” is one such example.
8. Limerick
Limericks are humorous poems that have a more distinct rhythm. Their subject matter is sometimes crude, but always designed to offer laughs.
Limerick Characteristics and Rules
• 5 lines
• 2 longer lines (usually 7-10 syllables)
• 2 shorter lines (usually 5-7 syllables)
• 1 closing line to bring the joke home (7-10 syllables)
• Rhyme scheme: AABBA
Examples of Limericks
There once was an old man of Nantucket
Who kept all his cash in a bucket
His daughter, called Nan,
Ran away with a man,
And as for the bucket, Nantucket.
—Anonymous
A wonderful bird is the pelican,
His bill can hold more than his beli-can.
He can take in his beak
Food enough for a week
But I’m damned if I see how the heli-can.
—Dixon Lanier Merritt
9. Ballad
Ballads usually take a narrative form to tell us stories. They are often arranged in quatrains, but the form is loose enough that writers can easily modify it.
Ballad Characteristics and Rules
• Typically arranged in groups of 4 lines
• Rhyme scheme: ABAB or ABCB
Examples of Ballads
“Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe (first two stanzas):
It was many and many a year ago,
In a kingdom by the sea,
That a maiden there lived whom you may know
By the name of Annabel Lee;
And this maiden she lived with no other thought
Than to love and be loved by me.
I was a child and she was a child,
In this kingdom by the sea,
But we loved with a love that was more than love—
I and my Annabel Lee—
With a love that the wingèd seraphs of Heaven
Coveted her and me.
Some songs fit the ballad definition and have been passed down today. See this excerpt from the Irish ballad “Danny Boy”:
Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side
The summer’s gone, and all the flowers are dying
‘Tis you, ‘tis you must go and I must bide.
10. Epitaph
An epitaph is much like an elegy, only shorter. Epitaphs commonly appear on gravestones, but they can also be humorous. There are no specific rules for epitaphs or their rhyme schemes.
Examples of Epitaphs
From William Shakespeare’s gravestone:
Good friend for Jesus sake forbeare,
To dig the dust enclosed here.
Blessed be the man that spares these stones,
And cursed be he that moves by bones.
“Epitaph” by Edna St. Vincent Millay
Heap not on this mound
Roses that she loved so well:
Why bewilder her with roses,
That she cannot see or smell?
She is happy where she lies
With the dust upon her eyes.
11. Ode
Odes address a specific person, thing, or event. The ode is believed to have been invented by the ancient Greeks, who would sing their odes. Modern odes follow an irregular pattern and are not required to rhyme.
Example of an Ode
“Ode to the West Wind” by Percy Bysshe Shelley
Scatter, as from an unextinguish’d hearth
Ashes and sparks, my words among mankind!
Be through my lips to unawaken’d earth
The trumpet of a prophecy! O Wind,
If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?
12. Free Verse
Free verse is exactly what its name implies. There are no rules, and writers can do whatever they choose: to rhyme or not, to establish any rhythm. Free verse is often used in contemporary poetry.
Example of a Free Verse Poem
“A Noiseless Patient Spider” by Walt Whitman
A noiseless patient spider,
I mark’d where on a little promontory it stood isolated,
Mark’d how to explore the vacant vast surrounding,
It launch’d forth filament, filament, filament, out of itself,
Ever unreeling them, ever tirelessly speeding them.
And you O my soul where you stand,
Surrounded, detached, in measureless oceans of space,
Ceaselessly musing, venturing, throwing, seeking the spheres to connect them,
Till the bridge you will need be form’d, till the ductile anchor hold,
Till the gossamer thread you fling catch somewhere, O my soul.
Tips for Writing Poetry
Still need a little extra nudge to get started? There’s no better way to learn than by reading some great poetry.
You can also check out our post on how to write a poem so you can get inspired to start writing.
Do you have a favorite poem? Feel free to share it with us in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, you might also like:
- 10 Ways to Write Better Poetry
- How to Publish a Poem: 3 Ways to Become a Published Poet
- How to Make Money Selling Poetry
- 181 Best Literary Magazines: A Directory for Fiction, Poetry, and Short Story Publications
As a blog writer for TCK Publishing, Kaelyn loves crafting fun and helpful content for writers, readers, and creative minds alike. She has a degree in International Affairs with a minor in Italian Studies, but her true passion has always been writing. Working remotely allows her to do even more of the things she loves, like traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family.
you’re missing some of the poem types.
Hi Jocelyn, thanks for your comment! I know there are more than this, originally I just wanted to include the most common types, but I’m thinking about updating it with more :)
Hi! This was really helpful! Thanks!
Glad you found it helpful, Sam! :)
Hi kaelyn thanks for this post.
Was thinking if I could get your email address, I’d like to share my first writing with you
Hi Prince, I hope you found the post helpful! If you’d like to share your poetry, you’re welcome to enter our poetry contest, or post your poem here :) If you’d like to submit a manuscript, you’ll find our submission guidelines here.
Thank you. I have just written my first Villanelle.
I have always written poems but never specifically using any poetic style. Now I can successfully structure my poems. After reading your article, it just comes natural to me. This is unbelievable because I am 44yrs old and have written all my life! Please keep up the great work.
I’m so glad you found the post helpful, Mel! :) Keep up the great work with your poetry! If you’d like, feel free to share some here sometimes too :)
hi Kaelyn ,
dedicated to Hidding street,
A STRANGE MOOR
A real moor, lone moor,
At Hidding beehive corner, call it street
glance of gusto, classy stride,
Face staunch, glossy dark skinned.
It was the back I saw, swaying,
Long trouser, not fitting to ankle,
A peacock stride , yet in haste
A clock, clock, stride .
The gown or kanzu hanged fittingly,
Almost a secret hunchback,
The eyes not glassed but gazed
Head not capped, a funny moor.
What alarmed… was the age.
You couldn’t tell his frail…,
Moved with vigor like a bull,
Hair locked, rastas hanging low.
Uhm, a smile on my cheek
A black rastad moor at Hidding street
Dangled straight, not looking aside
No cough no sneeze ,on smoky lane.
Oh moor, at Hidding Africa ,
You’re lost?, going home or in tour ?
forgot the cap …formal sacred hat ,
He didn’t wave or greet like others .
Others hummed greetings ,shouted Godisgreat,
Called neighbours,more greetings,
More chewingKhat, mouth dancing
More this or that .
Thanks for sharing your poems, Zephaniah! I can see you really love writing poetry :)
That nice lady, nice as a dog
Boy, she sure can Jog!
She definitely likes Soy on her rice!
She’s lucky there’s no price when you’re beautiful
Here she comes as usual
She instantly humms a jolly tune
I’m lucky I got her
It probably only happens once in a blue moon
Im dying
Thank you for sharing your poem, George! :)
Thank you. Now I believe the style of my writings would be free form. They are inspired by the Holy Spirit.
I hope you found the post helpful, Sheila :) keep writing poetry!
not complete
What’s not complete?
They were saying that there are more poems than this
Thanks Emily! Yeah originally I just wanted to include the most common types, but I’m planning on expanding this soon :)
THE HIDDING STREET MAN
It was hot not normal hot
Dizzy breezeless hot only normal day
At the street eyes flickered
The eyes flickered again the man lost
In the buzz the cozy hardened whiskers
Eyes dry arms hanged walked dangling
Dangling dingling I thought theyd fall
The arms and back bit hunched
Past hidding I looked with wonder .
with wonder yes hairs loosely
Wobbled and drooled he had rastas
Slight coloured brownish white gown
A white brown gown , wasn’t long
It flared and danced as he strode
Robotically flip flop flip flop
Thanks for sharing, Zephaniah!
PEACE WITHIN THE TEMPEST
A ballad
The waters roared
And lighting flashed
Twelve men at ores
As billows crashed
Terrified they pressed on
Under nights dread veil
Oh for a glimpse of the sun
Or end to the gale
Then at once upon the sea
Appeared a vissage walking
They cried out “Oh what can it be
But a spirit upon us lighting?”
Now these men all sore afraid
Cried out at once for fear
But Jesus said “don’t be afraid,
It is I. Be of good cheer.”
Peace be still, peace be still
The Master there is standing
Amidst the wind and slashing waves
Stands PEACE within the tempest.
From Matthew 14:24-27
Beautiful, thank you for sharing, Douglas :)
I love poems:
sample:
SOCKETS IN RIVERSIDE
The reason titled tilted
Its teddy bear’s obsession which reason listed
No truth meter zipped or sanevuletts
Thames rivulets of heads steadiness
He would peck peck and peck
Honey peck pocket peck money peck
The lovepeck was more its tilted
roars and huhs wonders and hi’s
they loved either it and dismayed
the slots filled and taunted and haunted
they’d laugh and laughed
Thames is “iron peck” and greasy grity hands
The grit never mattered the slots
The honeybees swarm and sang
They also sang Thames peck peck song
Honeypeck pocket peck moneypeck
Its the woodpeckers dance,
I would laugh to learn the song
It was nice to sing to Thames
Who loved and danced at the peck peck sound . ahahahahahahahahah thanks
I write a lot of poems but the problem I’ve got is, how to identify or sort them into different categories or types they belong.
Hi Sanda, that’s great that you enjoy writing poetry! :) The guidelines above might help you determine which types of poems they are by looking at the rhyme scheme and other structural details. However, your poems might also be free verse, which is when there is no set rhyme scheme or set meter.
Pls how can I learn all the rules of writing all the types of peoms?
Hi Emmanuel, the specific rules for each type of poem are outlined above (rhyme scheme, number of lines, etc.). If you’re looking for more general guidelines, you can check out our post on how to write a poem :)
How can I sell poem online
Hi Timilehin, we have a post on how to make money selling poetry with some good tips. I hope that helps! :)
Thanks Kaelyn. This is a lot of good information about poetry. I didn’t know there existed so many different types of poems. In our church meetings, one of the brothers would read his poems very time. They have only one stanza and about 20 (even number of) lines. The rhyme scheme is always AA BB CC DD … depending on the number of lines. The closest type for his poems seems to be Epigram, but then you said epigram is short. So maybe it is really a Free Verse. Also, what is the rhyme scheme in the JFK example used for epigram? I would appreciate your thoughts.
Hi Yuqin, yes, it sounds like those poems might be free verse, with lots of couplets. And the JFK examples is not actually a poem — epigrams can also just be short, clever remarks :)
Thanks again, Kaelyn! It all makes sense now.
Of course! Glad I could help :)
We have been using this piece for our writing group. We try to produce a poem .
I hope you’ve found the content helpful! :) Please let us know how it goes and if you have any questions!
Poem is a very likelyitem to read very nice and intresful❤
We love poetry here too! :)
I really love this piece on types of poems. I’m an aspiring poet with many unpublished poem.
Hi Billy, I’m glad you enjoyed the post! :) Have you thought about publishing your poems before?
Hello I’m a published poet in Gogyohka USA and Romania in the Gogyohka style, a Japanese 5 line freestyle poem developed by Enta Kasukabe in 1952. Lines should be short and succinct. We also do Gogyohka mirror, which you use the poems last line first to start the second half. And Gogyohkabun a story or poem which ends in a Haiku. We accept tanka, Haiku any form of Japanese poetry and original art. We also have a Community blog Soul Moments and a Youtube channel where submissions are presented. Gogyohka is a very freeing style of poetry that many people from different countries have fallen in love with .
Hi Cheryl, thanks for sharing! Sounds great:)
Very helpful
Glad you found the post helpful! :)
That long night :
There I stood in a dusk,
Wandering like a vagabond.
Finding ways to escape,
Surrounding so numb,
I fumbled.
Time was fleeting fast,
I could smell the breeze,
As it kissed my lips.
Darkness of the night,
Mocked at my sight.
In that stillness of night I stood,
The waves of trees were shaking hands.
It created a magical spell on me.
I shivered in that cold chilly night.
I escaped a beat to find ray of light.
Ah! That long night surrounded me,
With darkness all around.
My legs refused to move,
Dullness loaded alcove.
And there, I stood terrified in that long night.
Can anyone tell me which form is this.