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The Shape of Poetry: A Practical Guide to Writing Poetry

Focusing on the foundations of poetry, this reference teaches aspiring poets the mechanics of writing verse. Offering advice on the abstract poetic notions—what makes good poetry, the meaning and inspirations of poetry—and the concrete—how to start a poem, how to craft its shape, and how to use the various poetic forms—this concise and insightful book provides inspiring and practical instruction. Including the author's own poems for guidance, this revised edition also discusses the direction of post-millennium, contemporary poetry.

Peter Meinke is an award-winning poet and author. His poems have appeared in The Atlantic, The Georgia Review, The New Yorker, and Poetry. Director of the writing workshop at Eckerd College for more than thirty years, Meinke has taught poetry composition and literature at all levels, from grade to graduate school. He has written several books of poetry, including The Contracted World and Zinc Fingers. He lives in St. Petersburg, Florida.