concrete poetry

noun

1. poetry in which effects are created by the physical arrangement of words in patterns or forms rather than by the use of traditional language structure.

concrete poetry

noun

1. poetry in which the visual form of the poem is used to convey meaning

Word History and Origins

Origin of concrete poetry¹

1955–60, Americanism; probably as translation of Portuguese poesia concreta or German konkrete Dichtung

Example Sentences

In the 1970s, Melchert’s work began to move in a more conceptual direction, influenced by concrete poetry and the work of composer John Cage.

From Los Angeles Times

Into her giant tapestry she stitches in letters, lists, scrapbook entries, dramatic dialogue, Maudie’s sexually adventuresome diary entries and the occasional piece of concrete poetry.

From New York Times

Thus does the book, like some concrete poetry, take a shape that conveys what it also puts into words: The Midwest of friendly neighbors and the Midwest of benighted racists are, of course, the same place.

From Washington Post

Drawn with feathered lines and in coded colors, the words are individual images that collectively form a chantlike piece of concrete poetry.

From New York Times

The artists juxtapose images with concrete poetry to create image-text intersections that reveal privileged looking.

From The Guardian