Poetry Types (Abstract, Ballad, Ode, Epic)

Poems can also be defined by their contents. They tell stories, suggest images, and evoke feelings. In many ways, they can be compared to paintings as well as music. Using this analogy, the ABSTRACT poem is very similar to an abstract painting. These poems are experiments in sound, where the meaning of the words become secondary to their sound. One of the most famous of the abstract poems, is Lewis Carroll's "Jabberwocky":

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyreand gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.

'Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!

He took his vorpal sword in hand:
Long time the manxome foe he sought -
So rested he by the Tumtum tree,
And stood awhile in thought.

And as in wuffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tugley wood,
And burbled as it came!

One, two! one, two! and through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back.

And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!
He chortled in his joy.

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.

A BALLAD (BAH-led) is a folk song that tells an exciting story which usually ends tragically. "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald", and "John Henry" are some examples of well-known ballads. Even "Major Tom" and "Casey at the Bat" could easily be described as ballads.

An EPIC is a heroic story, often dealing with deities and mythological beings. They usually start with the hero in the middle of some sort of action. Homer's Iliad and Odyssey are some of the oldest epics around.

Probably the loftiest (or stuffiest ) of all poetry types is the ODE. The ode is a lyrical verse with a fixed purpose or theme done in a very dignified manner. Called simply "An Ode", Joseph Addison's poem makes an excellent example of this poetry type.

"An Ode"

The spacious firmament on high,
With all the blue ethereal sky,
And spangled heavens, a shining frame,
Their great Original proclaim.
The unwearied sun from day to day
Does his Creator's power display,
And publishes to every land
The work of an almighty Hand.

Soon as the evening shades prevail,
The moon takes up the wondrous tale,
And nightly, to the listening earth,
Repeats the story of her birth;
Whilst all the stars that round her burn,
And all the planets in their turn,
Confirm the tidings as they roll,
And spread the truth from pole to pole.

What though in solemn silence all
Move round the dark terrestrial ball?
What though nor real voice nor sound
Amid their radiant orbs be found?
In reason's ear they all rejoice,
And utter forth a glorious voice,
Forever singing as they shine,
"The Hand that made use is divine!"

For practice: write one of the poetry types discussed in this lesson.

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