These calligrams are all to be read normally, line by line; there are no purely typographical peculiarities in them, and in each case the shape functions as a strophic form as well as, variously, topic, symbol, epigraph, myth, or point d’appui. Thus, no shapes with “holes” in them are used in any of the twenty- three poems from which this group is selected. They were written by drawing the shape, typing out a dummy with x’s on a typewriter, considering the dummy for some weeks or months, then numbering lines and counting characters for the strophic form; finally, the poems got written in their appropriate forms. The Broken Column poem is dedicated to William Arrowsmith.
Five Shaped Poems
Did you enjoy the the artible “Five Shaped Poems” from John Hollander on OZOFE.COM? Do you know anyone who could enjoy it as much as you do? If so, don't hesitate to share this post to them and your other beloved ones.
Leave a Reply