What is list poetry?

List poetry is a type of poetry that presents its ideas in the form of a list. The list items can be anything the poet wants them to be, and they can be arranged in any order. List poetry often uses repetition and parallel structure to create a sense of rhythm and unity.

List poetry is a versatile form that can be used to explore a wide range of topics, from personal experiences to political issues. Some famous examples of list poetry include Walt Whitman's "I Sing the Body Electric," Allen Ginsberg's "Howl," and Claudia Rankine's "Citizen: An American Lyric."

Here is an example of a list poem:

Shopping List

* bread

* milk

* eggs

* butter

* cheese

* yogurt

* fruit

* vegetables

* meat

* fish

* chicken

* pork

* beef

* lamb

* turkey

* ham

* bacon

* sausage

* hot dogs

* hamburgers

* pizza

* pasta

* rice

* potatoes

* beans

* lentils

* quinoa

* oatmeal

* cereal

* crackers

* chips

* pretzels

* cookies

* cake

* ice cream

* candy

This list poem simply presents a list of items that could be found on a shopping list. The items are arranged in alphabetical order, and the poem uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm. The poem's title, "Shopping List," also gives the reader a hint about the poem's content.

List poetry can be a powerful tool for expressing oneself. By presenting ideas in a list format, poets can create a sense of immediacy and urgency. List poetry can also be used to explore the relationships between different ideas and to create a sense of unity and cohesion.