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figured verse

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

Poetry arranged typographically to form visual shapes—such as wings, altars, or trees—where layout reinforces or embodies the poem’s theme.

Detailed Definition
Figured verse is poetry in which the visual arrangement of words on the page—such as shape, spacing, or typography—mirrors or enhances the poem’s subject matter, creating a dual layer of meaning through form and content; also known as concrete or pattern poetry, it transforms the page into a canvas where visual design and linguistic expression collaborate to deepen interpretation.
Example
Example in poetry:
Figured verse uses complex metrical or structural patterns; A sestina with rotating end-words exemplifies figured verse; George Herbert’s “Easter Wings” uses visual form to mirror meaning; Donne’s “The Canonization” employs intricate conceits and meter
Additional Notes
Figured verse (or Pattern Poetry or Carmen Figuratum) is a poem where the lines are arranged on the page to form a specific shape or image that visually relates to the poem's subject; the visual form is an integral part of the poem's meaning and aesthetic, blurring the line between poetry and visual art.
Also Known As
Patterned verse Decorative poetry Designed stanza Carmen figuratum Concrete verse
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