242 contemporary poetry
epic poetry
A long narrative poem vast in scale and ambition, often addressing
the deeds of warriors and heroes. Frequently epics are attached to
ideals of nationhood embodying a country’s aspirations. The form
often contains references to myths, history, folklore and legends.
epistle
An intimate poem addressed to a close companion or friend, often
reading like a conversational letter in verse.
ethnopoetics
Often combining an interest in anthropology and linguistics, eth-
nopoetics considers non-Western and indigenous literatures while
questioning the division between so-called primitive and civilised
cultural production.
Flarf poetry
A poetry which is occasioned by text from the Internet. The title
covers an array of approaches, with some poets using the Internet
for chance operations, and others seeking humorous narratives
to arrange into poetic forms. For yet others it takes the form of
a range of different material sutured together with disconcerting
shifts in subject matter and texture.
found poetry
A form of poetic composition which takes texts from other sources
to create new work. Often the original texts are placed into an
entirely new context.
free verse
Poetry which has no regular meter or line length, often dependent
upon natural speech rhythms and musical counterpoint.