A concrete poem is a poem where the words are arranged in a shape or design that shows the meaning of the poem. Click to see some fun examples, then write your own concrete poem below!

First, think of a subject with a distinctive shape that you can write a poem about. It could be anything: something in nature, a person, a toy, a household item, or anything else, as long as it has a good outline shape you can use. If you need suggestions, check out our perimeter poem prompts; many of those will work here too, and they'll also give you other ideas.

Draw an outline of the shape in pencil.

Now think of words and phrases that describe it. Write them inside the shape, filling it up. Be sure to go right up to all the edges. You can write the words any way you want: use colored pencils or markers, fancy handwriting, and even different size letters.

When you're finished writing, erase the shape that you drew in pencil. The words remaining will be a concrete poem in the shape of your picture!

Related Pages:

Illustrated Acrostic Poems Pick a topic, draw a picture of it, then write an acrostic poem about it. Write the word vertically along the left side of the paper, then start each line of your poem with the letter on that line.

Shape Poems Write poems inside pictures of common shapes, items, and maps.

Perimeter Poems Write poems around the perimeter (outer edges) of pictures of common items and maps. This simple structure makes beginning to write poetry a little easier and more fun.