1. Ballad: Ballads are narrative poems, often telling a story of love, loss, adventure, or heroism. They are typically written in quatrains (four-line stanzas) with a simple rhyme scheme and often have a strong musical quality, making them ideal for singing. Ballads often focus on the lives of ordinary people, especially those from the lower classes or those who have experienced hardship.
2. Folk Poetry: Folk poetry is poetry that is passed down orally from generation to generation. It often deals with everyday themes like love, work, family, and nature. It can be narrative, lyrical, or even humorous. Folk poetry is usually characterized by its simple language, strong rhythm, and focus on ordinary people's lives.
3. Working-Class Poetry: This type of poetry specifically focuses on the experiences and perspectives of working-class people. It can explore themes of labor, poverty, social injustice, and community. It often uses a direct and straightforward style, reflecting the language and values of its subjects.
4. Realist Poetry: Realist poetry is characterized by its focus on everyday life and the experiences of ordinary people. It often uses a realistic and objective style, aiming to capture the details of daily life without embellishment or idealization.
5. Lyric Poetry: While lyrical poetry doesn't always focus on ordinary people, it can express personal emotions and experiences in a song-like way. Some lyrical poems explore the joys, sorrows, and struggles of everyday life, giving a voice to the emotions of ordinary individuals.
Examples:
* Ballad: "Barbara Allen" or "The Ballad of John Henry"
* Folk Poetry: "The House Carpenter" or "The Farmer's Wife"
* Working-Class Poetry: "The Waking" by Theodore Roethke or "Song of the Open Road" by Walt Whitman
* Realist Poetry: "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" by T.S. Eliot or "The Waste Land" by T.S. Eliot
* Lyric Poetry: "Ode to a Nightingale" by John Keats or "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" by William Wordsworth
It's important to note that these categories are not mutually exclusive. Many poems blend elements from different styles, and the specific qualities you are looking for will influence which type of poetry you find most suitable.