Month: September 2024

English, Poems, Visual Poetry

Sustainable Love- A Concrete (Visual) Poetry

Image of a person adding compost to their rose plant.
PC: Designed by the Author using Canva

Hey there, poetry lovers! In my last post, we dove into the world of concrete poetry—a fascinating form of visual poetry where the words on the page shape themselves into a picture that embodies the poem’s theme. Today, I’m excited to share an example of this with you: my poem titled “Sustainable Love.” This piece is about comparing love’s nurturing process to composting, and I’ve shaped it like a garden tool—a shovel! Let’s dig into the thought process behind this creative choice.

Sustainable Love

Love, like 
composting,
 by  nature  
takes time
 to nurture 
& g r  o w
 in rhythm 
&  rhyme.
It starts in
small bits,
 like scraps 
of h e a r t
  then layers 
 of  c a r e
   slooowly  
  built up. 
  The scraps  
 seemingly useless
  too broken to mend 
blend and transcend
with patience and warmth
into something new, rich and full of life,
a foundation for growth, amidst toil & strife.
Like  compost  needing  air ,  water , &  sun,
love  needs  care ,  communication ,  &  fun.
Love's to be tended , to prevent it  from rot,
to  keep  it  dynamic  and  full  of   thought.
Dear, take time, with  your  love, as you do,
 with  composting , daily , a little  more anew.
  create something , that's long-lasting & true, 
  a love  that's  sustainable & always anew.


Why a Shovel? The Thought Process Behind the Shape

When I first penned “Sustainable Love,” it followed a standard stanza format. But as I played around with the structure, I found myself inspired to mould it into a shovel—a tool that perfectly symbolizes the nurturing process I wanted to convey. Now, let’s break down the themes and how the visual structure of this poem brings them to life.

Thematic Analysis: How Composting and Love Are Alike

Love Takes Time, Just Like Composting

At the heart of this poem is a comparison between love and composting. Both require patience and care to truly flourish. Just as composting starts with small scraps—tiny bits that might seem insignificant—love often begins with small acts or gestures. These “scraps of the heart” may appear useless at first, but with the right care, they become the building blocks of something much more substantial.

Growth and Renewal

In the same way that composting transforms scraps into rich, fertile soil, love grows and renews through patience and warmth. The repeated emphasis on time—phrases like “takes time,” “slooowly,” and “daily, a little more anew”—highlights the ongoing effort needed to maintain a healthy, sustainable love. Even the most broken parts of ourselves can be mended and turned into something beautiful when nurtured with care.

Care and Communication Are Essential

Just as compost needs air, water, and sunlight to break down and enrich the soil, love requires care, communication, and a bit of fun to stay vibrant. Without these key elements, love can, like neglected compost, become stagnant. It’s all about tending to love regularly, keeping it dynamic and full of thought.

Visual Structure: Why the Shovel Shape Matters

Shovel Shape: A Symbol of Effort and Transformation

The shovel shape is a conscious design choice as I believe it’s a powerful symbol of the effort and transformation that love requires. In composting, the shovel is essential for turning, mixing, and aerating the compost pile, helping it decompose into something rich and life-giving. Similarly, love requires us to dig deep, turn over our emotions, and work through challenges to create something sustaining.

Handle and Blade: The Foundation and Work of Love

The handle of the shovel, formed by the narrow, tightly aligned first few lines, represents the grip or foundation of the poem’s message. As the poem broadens into the blade of the shovel, it symbolizes where the real work of love (and composting) happens—transforming the ordinary into something extraordinary.

Wrapping It All Up: The Power of Visual Poetry

In “Sustainable Love,” the shovel shape isn’t just for show—it’s an integral part of the poem’s meaning. This shape reinforces the central metaphor of love as a process that requires the right tools, patience, and effort to grow into something truly sustainable and renewing. Just like composting, love is a journey of transformation, and this poem visually embodies that journey.

I hope this exploration of “Sustainable Love” gives you a fresh perspective on both love and the art of concrete poetry. As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts—drop a comment below and let’s chat!

Suggested Read:

Visual Poetry: A Simple Introduction

English, Poems, Visual Poetry

Concrete Poetry – Visual Poetry Where Words Take Shape

An image of a concrete visual poetry, titled, Rain Drop.
Designed by the Author

Hey there, fellow poetry lovers! Today, I want to dive into a form of poetry that’s as much about what you see as what you read—concrete poetry. If you’ve ever come across a poem where the words are arranged in the shape of a tree, a heart, or even a winding river, then you’ve experienced concrete poetry in action. It’s a fascinating blend of visual art and the written word, and it opens up a whole new way of expressing ideas. So, let’s explore what concrete poetry is, look at an example, and learn how to create one yourself!

What Is Concrete Poetry?

Concrete poetry, also known as shape poetry, is a type of poetry where the visual arrangement of the words on the page forms a picture or shape that represents the poem’s theme. The term “concrete” comes from the idea that the poem’s structure is tangible, something you can see and, in a way, almost touch with your eyes. It’s a visual expression that complements or enhances the meaning of the poem.

In concrete poetry, the shape is just as important as the words. The layout, direction, and even the spacing of the text play a crucial role in conveying the poem’s message. It’s like the words themselves are transformed into a piece of art, where the way they’re arranged on the page adds layers of meaning that go beyond what’s simply written.

An Example of Concrete Poetry

To give you a better idea of what concrete poetry looks like, let’s imagine a simple example. Picture a poem about a raindrop. In a traditional poem, you might describe the raindrop’s shape, its journey from the sky, and how it splashes on the ground. But in a concrete poem, you could take it a step further by arranging the words on the page to form the shape of a raindrop.

An image of a concrete visual poetry, titled, Rain Drop.
© http://www.promisingpoetry.org

In this case, the words “falling,” “through the air,” and so on are arranged to mimic the shape of a raindrop descending from the sky. The word “Splashh” at the bottom completes the image, giving the reader not just a sense of the poem’s meaning but also a visual representation of it. It’s simple, but it’s effective—and it turns a straightforward poem into something more dynamic and engaging.

I used the Canva app to create this piece digitally, but you can also do it freehand—just let your creativity flow!

Visual Poetry: A Simple Introduction

How to Write Your Concrete Poem

Writing a concrete poem is a creative and fun process. It’s like drawing with words, and there’s no limit to what you can do. Here’s how you can get started:

  • Choose Your Subject: Think about the theme or object you want to write about. It could be anything—a tree, a star, a spiral, a heart, or even something abstract like a wave or a whirlwind. The key is to pick something that has a distinctive shape that you can replicate with your words.

  • Write the Poem: Start by writing a traditional poem about your chosen subject. Focus on the content first—what do you want to say? How do you want to convey the emotions or ideas related to your subject? Don’t worry about the shape just yet; get your thoughts down on paper.

  • Visualize the Shape: Once you have your poem, think about how you can arrange the words to reflect the shape of your subject. This might mean breaking up lines, staggering words, or even changing the direction in which the text flows. The goal is to make the shape recognizable while keeping the poem readable.

  • Experiment with Layout: This is where the fun really begins. Start playing with the layout of your poem. Move words around, change the spacing, and see how different arrangements affect the overall look and feel. You might need to tweak the wording or even add or remove lines to get the shape just right.

  • Fine-Tune Your Creation: Once you’ve got a layout you’re happy with, go back and refine your poem. Make sure the text is still conveying your message clearly and that the shape enhances the meaning rather than distracting from it. It might take a few tries to get it just right, but that’s all part of the creative process.

Getting Creative With Concrete Poetry

For me, concrete poetry is like taking poetry to the next level. Concrete poetry is not just about the words; it’s about how those words interact with the space around them. It’s a way to push the boundaries of traditional poetry and create something that’s both visually and emotionally impactful. Plus, it’s a great way to challenge yourself creatively—trying to find the perfect balance between form and content can be a rewarding experience.

So, next time you’re in the mood to write, why not give concrete poetry a try? Let your words take shape and see what amazing creations you can come up with. Happy writing!

This post is a part of the Blogchatter Half Marathon

Poems, Visual Poetry

Visual Poetry: A Simple Introduction

An Image that reads Visual Poetry
P.C. Canva

Hey there, poetry enthusiasts! It’s been a while since I last posted, and I’ve missed writing and connecting with you all. But to make up for the lost time, I’m excited to bring you a series on Visual Poetry. We’ll explore, experiment, and enjoy this unique art form together. Let’s dive in!

Now, if you’re thinking, “Wait, isn’t poetry just about words, rhymes, and verses?” you’re in for a delightful surprise. Visual poetry is like a wonderful fusion of literature and art, where the way the text is arranged on the page is just as important as the words themselves. It’s poetry you can see and feel, and it brings a whole new dimension to the poetic experience.

Table of Contents
  1. What is Visual Poetry?
  2. Different Types of Visual Poetry
  3. Visual Poetry vs. Traditional Text Poetry
  4. Why Do We Need Visual Poetry?
  5. What’s Next?

What is Visual Poetry?

So, what exactly is visual poetry? In simple terms, visual poetry is an art form where the visual arrangement of text, images, and even symbols is used to convey a poem’s meaning. It’s not just about the words themselves; it’s about how those words are presented on the page. The layout, the fonts, the spacing, any artwork in the background—all these elements come together to create a piece that you experience both with your eyes and your mind.

Imagine reading a poem where the words form the shape of a tree, or where different fonts and sizes create a rhythm that mirrors the poem’s theme. Thus, visual poetry takes the traditional idea of a poem and turns it into something you can not only read but also see and sometimes even touch.

Different Types of Visual Poetry

There are different types of visual poetry. Just like traditional poetry comes in various forms—haikus, sonnets, free verse—visual poetry also has its diverse styles. Here are a few that you might find fascinating:

  • Concrete Poetry: This is probably the most well-known form of visual poetry. In concrete poetry, the words of the poem are arranged on the page to form a picture or shape that reflects the theme of the poem. For instance, a poem about a star might have its text arranged in the shape of a star.

  • Found and Blackout Poetry: This involves taking existing text (like a page from a book or a newspaper article) and blacking out most of the words, leaving only a few behind to create a poem. The remaining words form both the text and the visual pattern, giving the poem a unique visual appeal.

  • Calligrams: A calligram is a type of visual poetry where the text forms an image related to the poem’s content. Think of it as a drawing made out of words. The famous poet Guillaume Apollinaire was known for his calligrams, where he’d arrange his text to form images like rain, birds, or even a woman’s face.

  • Ekphrastic Poetry: This type of poetry takes its inspiration from visual art, where the poet responds to a piece of artwork—whether a painting, sculpture, or photograph—through words. The resulting poem often reflects or interprets the visual piece, creating a dialogue between the two art forms. Ekphrastic poetry bridges the gap between seeing and feeling, offering readers a deeper, multi-sensory experience.

  • Collage Poetry: Think of collage poetry as a literary version of a visual collage. In this form, poets cut out words and phrases from various sources—magazines, newspapers, books—and then arrange them on a page to create a new poem. The visual aspect comes from the physical placement and style of the cut-out words, which can add layers of meaning and texture to the poem.

  • Mathviz Poetry (My New Project!): I’m particularly excited to introduce you to a new type of visual poetry I’m working on called Mathviz Poetry. This style combines the precision and patterns of mathematics with the expressive power of poetry. Imagine equations and geometric shapes merging with verses, where the arrangement of numbers, symbols, and words creates a harmonious and visually engaging piece. Mathviz Poetry seeks to bridge the gap between logic and emotion, proving that even math can have a poetic soul.
Starting from Scratch: A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Poetry

Visual Poetry vs. Traditional Text Poetry

You might be wondering, what’s the big difference between visual poetry and traditional text poetry? Well, while traditional poetry focuses primarily on the words and their arrangement in lines and stanzas, visual poetry goes beyond that. It uses the physical placement of words, their shape, and even the space around them to enhance or sometimes even change the meaning of the poem.

In visual poetry, how a poem looks on the page can be just as important as what it says. The visual elements work hand in hand with the text to create a richer, more immersive experience. In traditional poetry, you might imagine the scene or the emotion as you read; in visual poetry, you see it directly on the page.

Why Do We Need Visual Poetry?

So, why do we even need visual poetry? Isn’t regular poetry enough? The answer lies in the unique way visual poetry can communicate ideas and emotions. Sometimes, the visual arrangement of words can express something that the words alone cannot. It creates a stronger connection with the reader, evokes more intense emotions, and adds layers of meaning that might be missed in traditional text.

More so, visual poetry also breaks down the barriers between art and literature, showing that the two can coexist beautifully. It invites readers to engage with the poem on multiple levels—intellectually, emotionally, and visually.

What’s Next?

We’ll explore specific styles, see examples, and even try creating some visual poetry ourselves. So whether you’re a seasoned poet or just curious about this art form, there’s so much to discover.

Stay tuned, and let’s explore the beautiful world of visual poetry together!

This post is a part of the Blogchatter Half Marathon