For National Poetry Month this year, I am writing poems in uncommon, unusual, or inventive poetic forms. The only rule I have set for myself is that I choose forms I am unfamiliar with. Here are some of the resources I am referencing.
- 20+ Different (& Wild!) Poetry Forms for Inspiration
- A Strange Poetry
- Refrigerator, Blackout, And Other Radical Poetry Forms
- Experimental Poetry Forms
- Shadow Poetry (See invented forms)
- 20 Fun Poem Types (You've Probably Never Heard Of)
Today, I'm sharing a Zeno.
In 2009, I had the pleasure of introducing a new poetic form invented by J. Patrick Lewis. Here's Pat's explanation.
I've invented what I had called a “hailstone," after the mathematical "hailstone sequence." It has nothing to do with Mary O'Neill's Hailstones and Halibut Bones, but it would no doubt instantly be confused with it. Hence, "hailstone" is problematic. So I call the form a "zeno," so named for Zeno, the philosopher of paradoxes, especially the dichotomy paradox, according to which getting anywhere involves first getting halfway there and then again halfway there, and so on ad infinitum. I'm dividing each line in half of the previous one.
Here's Pat's description of a Zeno:
A 10-line verse form with a repeating syllable count of 8,4,2,1,4,2,1,4,2,1. The rhyme scheme is abcdefdghd.
You can read the original post, which includes examples Pat wrote at Monday Poetry Stretch - the Zeno.
The pitcher stands upon the mound
the crowd awaits
he throws
fast
bat connects - CRACK!
ball flies
past
the outfield wall
homerun
BLAST!
Poem ©Tricia Stohr-Hunt, 2025. All rights reserved.
(1908) Roger Bresnahan, catching for the New York Giants while a Pittsburgh Pirate player is at bat. , 1908. [Sept. 18] [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/89714219/.
And that is a wrap on another National Poetry Month project. I hope you've enjoyed exploring some new forms this month. You can find all the poems written this month on the page NPM 2025 - Uncommon and Unusual Forms. Thanks so much for joining me on this journey. Until next time ...
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