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Figure poem

Form
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A visual or concrete poem whose typographical layout mirrors or symbolizes its subject matter, blending form and content.

Detailed Definition
A figure poem (or shaped poem) is a type of concrete poetry in which the visual layout of the text on the page mirrors its subject matter—such as wings for a poem about flight—using typography, spacing, and alignment to create an iconic image that enhances or complicates the verbal meaning through visual semiotics.
Example
Example in poetry:
George Herbert’s “Easter Wings” shaped like wings; Apollinaire’s calligram “Il Pleut” mimics falling rain; Mary Ellen Solt’s “Forsythia” blooms in floral form; Contemporary: a poem about a tree printed in branching typography
Additional Notes
Another term for concrete/visual poetry. Poem shaped like its subject. Related: pattern poetry, concrete verse, calligrams. Study: historical variations from Greek technopaegnia to modern concrete poetry.
Also Known As
Shaped poem visual verse pattern poetry concrete poem
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