The 3 main forms of poetry are [1] lyric, [2] narrative, and [3] dramatic.

LYRIC poetry is the most common type of poetry. The word lyric comes from lyre, a harplike instrument played by ancient Greek poets during recitals or their shorter poems. Today, lyric poetry refers to any short poem. One of the shortest types of lyric poetry is the haiku [a Japanese form].

The haiku has 3 lines that total 17 syllables. The first line has 5 syllables, the 2nd 7, and the 3rd 5 [5-7-5]. Another lyric form is an ode [a serious, elaborate lyric full of high praise and noble feeling]. Many odes mark important public events - ♦ see sample below -

The classical ode also called Pindaric ode or choral ode, was developed by the ancient Greeks. It has 3 parts. [1] The strophe and [2] antistrophe has the same pattern of rhyme. And [3] the epode, has a different pattern. The elegy [another common lyric] is a meditation on life and death.

Many elegies mourn the death of a famous person or close friend. Other lyric forms include the limerick, rondel, triolet and villanelle.

NARRATIVE poetry tells stories. The most common types of narrative poems are epics and ballads. Epics are long poems. And they are probably the oldest surviving form of poetry. The Iliad and Odyssey [2 of the most famous epics in Western literature] are thought to be written during the 700's B.C. Ballads tell shorter stories about a particular person [e.g., ballads on the Adventures of Robin Hood]. Some ballads date back to the 1300's.

DRAMATIC poetry also tell stories. But in dramatic poetry, one or more of the characters act out the story. The difference between drama and dramatic poetry is a matter of degree. If a play has rhyming dialogues, repeating rhythms, or other distinct poetic elements, then that play is considered to be dramatic poetry. The English playwright William Shakespear is the most famous dramatic poet.

♦ "From A Black Woman To A Black Man", delivered at the Million Man March in Washington, DC, [10.16.1995]

and "On The Pulse Of Morning: The Inaugural Poem", written for William Jefferson Clinton for his Inauguration

as the 42 President of the U.S., January 20th, 1993. Both written and read by Maya Angelou.