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Shape/Concrete Poetry - How to achieve the desired shapes - Suzette Richards's Blog

About Suzette Richards
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Poetry has been my passion since my retirement from an accountancy based career a dozen years ago. I currently live in South Africa and this rainbow nation has inspired many of my poems. I also have British nationality and embrace their grammar and spelling, but I read widely and am not fazed by strict grammar rules: A pavement/sidewalk; glasses/eyeglasses; judgement/judgment, et cetera; they are one and the same to me when I read poetry. To date, I have self-published a number of books, including the poetry anthology by international poets, © Time, 2014 ISBN 978-0-620-60578-6, and have been cited in many international publications, both poetry journals, as well as in scholarly handbooks. Some of my short stories have been published in international electronic publications, and one of my novellas had been short-listed for an Afrikaans SA publication.

I serve on the Board of Advisers, of Taleemi Baithak. (See my blog, Words of Wisdom, 29 September 2023.)

I have a number of poetic forms to my credit, notably, Suzette Prime (listed here on PoetrySoup), as well as Suzette sonnet.

My most recent books which include examples of my poetry as well as notes regarding poetry - available directly from me:

  1. © The Eutony of Words, 2018 ISBN 978-0-6399382-0-2
  2. © Docendo discimus, 2021 (Revised 2023) ISBN 978-0-620-95432-7
  3. © Flight of Thoughts, 2023 ISBN 978-0-6397-8880-7
  4. © Downtown - Poetic Devices, 2023 ISBN 978-0-7961-1968-1
  5.  © Rocking Poetry, 2033 ISBN 978-0-7961-2824-9

I am pleased to be part of this vibrant poetry community.

My avatar: Free spirit, by Suzette Richards 2023 - image generated.


Shape/Concrete Poetry - How to achieve the desired shapes

Blog Posted:4/17/2023 9:11:00 PM

 

You may download a picture from the Internet of the form you wish to create, perhaps using a simple shape to begin with. Save it on a Word Doc page and fade the picture/washout. You may enhance the picture by making it less bright and more contrast. Set the picture to ‘Behind text’ under ‘Position’ in text wrapping:

FormatPicture tools on your toolbar when you click on the picture that you have downloaded. To washout: RecolorColour modes.

Then type as usual, and using white space, shape your poem (or any text) to the desired form. When you have finished your poem, click on the picture and delete it. Your typed poem will now be visible in the shape that you have created with your words and white space. Or you might retain the washout picture.

The above might come in handy for when you choose option 1 in my GRAFFITI contest currently running here on Poetry Soup.



Please Login to post a comment
Date: 4/22/2023 8:03:00 PM
Thank you! I look forward to trying this, Suzette!
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Suzette Richards
Date: 4/23/2023 3:42:00 AM
Warning: Once you get the knack of it, the sky is the limit, and it is as addictive as peanuts. :) I'm looking forward to seeing some interesting concrete/shape poems here.
Date: 4/19/2023 2:13:00 PM
What a great tip, Suzette: Will give it a try, Many thanks, SuZ
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Richards Avatar
Suzette Richards
Date: 4/19/2023 8:24:00 PM
You are welcome, SuZ :)
Date: 4/19/2023 6:59:00 AM
Wow! I never knew this method, Suzette... And here I was struggling with my concrete poetry.. Thank you, might try it out sometime:)
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Richards Avatar
Suzette Richards
Date: 4/19/2023 11:11:00 AM
Oh, I'm all for looking for new ways to create with ease.
Date: 4/19/2023 5:06:00 AM
Ooh I like this! I do everything on my phone though unfortunately - might have to sit at the laptop and give it a go - thanks :)
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Richards Avatar
Suzette Richards
Date: 4/19/2023 11:09:00 AM
It came about because I had time on my hands and wanted to design a unique card for someone years ago. I like the ease of this method that grew out of thrial and error. Like my new toy: Microsoft Image creator.
Date: 4/18/2023 6:20:00 AM
Thanks for the tip Suzette.
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Fowler Avatar
Linda Alice Fowler
Date: 4/18/2023 8:43:00 AM
LOL So true. Ive worked with computers since the 70s and I was thrilled when Office came out. I still don't know all the tricks!
Richards Avatar
Suzette Richards
Date: 4/18/2023 8:24:00 AM
Word is like the humble microwave where people only use it to warm milk (the latter, not the former) ...:)
Fowler Avatar
Linda Alice Fowler
Date: 4/18/2023 6:34:00 AM
I am a fan of Word and its drawing functionality. This reminds me of girl scouts and painting glasses (cut out a picture and insert it in the glass, then paint from the outside) - well before computers. LOL
Richards Avatar
Suzette Richards
Date: 4/18/2023 6:28:00 AM
You are welcome, Linda

My Past Blog Posts

 
The Image of Writing or Reading Poetry
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Reverse Graffiti – FINALISED
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Don't take my words for it
Date Posted: 4/28/2024 1:37:00 AM
Nursery Rhymes - The Sequel
Date Posted: 4/19/2024 9:05:00 PM
What do YOU think
Date Posted: 4/11/2024 11:22:00 PM
The Solar Eclipse on 8 April
Date Posted: 4/7/2024 12:11:00 AM
Woven Worlds – Tanka Prose RESULTS
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Woven Worlds - Liminal Space
Date Posted: 3/30/2024 4:38:00 AM
Having Fun with Rhymes
Date Posted: 3/22/2024 12:50:00 PM
Woven Worlds – TANKA PROSE – Overview and Definitions
Date Posted: 3/4/2024 1:41:00 AM
The Art of Positioning Text
Date Posted: 2/16/2024 12:53:00 PM
Size Matters – Old and New
Date Posted: 2/10/2024 11:31:00 AM
FIRST DRAFT – A HEADS-UP
Date Posted: 2/7/2024 8:14:00 PM
T & Cs Apply, the Sponsor
Date Posted: 2/5/2024 1:30:00 PM
FIRST DRAFT - Wrapping it up
Date Posted: 1/31/2024 12:20:00 AM
Pickup lines for Valentine’s Day – WINNERS
Date Posted: 1/29/2024 12:36:00 AM
FORMATTING THE LIMERICK
Date Posted: 1/25/2024 12:49:00 PM
WRITING BADLY
Date Posted: 1/23/2024 4:50:00 AM
Having a dickens of a good time
Date Posted: 12/6/2023 1:10:00 AM
Less is More
Date Posted: 12/1/2023 4:36:00 AM
Suzette Prime contest – a heads-up
Date Posted: 11/18/2023 11:16:00 PM
SUZETTE PRIME – MY JOURNEY
Date Posted: 11/13/2023 11:54:00 PM
Metaphorical Realism in Suzette Prime - NEW CONTEST REVISED
Date Posted: 11/11/2023 9:56:00 PM

My Recent Poems

Date PostedPoemTitleFormCategories
5/13/2024 Love Lauded in Song Alliterationromance,
5/13/2024 The Truth in Time Sonnethorse,mythology,
5/9/2024 Silence of the Sea Otherpeace,
5/6/2024 Love Sonnetlove,pain,
5/4/2024 Curtains Verserelationship,
4/19/2024 Humpty Dumpty - The Sequel Rhymeanalogy,
4/10/2024 a lark Monokuanalogy,nature,
4/8/2024 The Heir Metrical Talemyth,mythology,
4/6/2024 From Purgatory to Paradise Haibunafrica,nature,
4/5/2024 Cares Otheranalogy,nature,
3/22/2024 Autumn Sonnetanalogy,autumn,
2/23/2024 The Last Leaf Tankaautumn,feelings,friend,im
2/20/2024 To everything there is a season Otherlife,nature,seasons,
2/19/2024 By the Lily Pond Rhymefantasy,
2/9/2024 Redamancy in Venice Sedokalove,
2/3/2024 Quiescent Versephilosophy,
1/29/2024 On a Thesaurus Diet Suzette Primeanalogy,nature,philosophy
1/23/2024 The Wind Teased Sijoloss,
1/16/2024 Hot Pickup Line Limerickhumorous,valentines day,
12/9/2023 Wabi-sabi Verseanalogy,culture,life,
11/23/2023 Into the Sanctity of Mount Everest Suzette Primeintrospection,philosophy,
11/4/2023 The End of the Line Alexandrinelife,memory,
11/3/2023 Moonwake Suzette Primemetaphor,nature,philosoph
11/1/2023 Flying Kites Juejunature,
10/16/2023 The Rocking Chair of Memories Suzette Primeanalogy,memory,metaphor,p
10/5/2023 Eidolon Sonnetlife,
9/30/2023 Free As a Bird Suzette Primefreedom,introspection,
9/10/2023 The Dilatory Thought Verseintrospection,
8/25/2023 Through the Keyhole Iambic Pentameterdream,fantasy,
8/8/2023 View From Basement Flat Dramatic Verserelationship,
8/3/2023 In a Pickle Rhymefish,fishing,
7/27/2023 When Doves Cry Terzanelleeulogy,
7/26/2023 You Shall Reap What You Sow Ekphrasisart,
7/8/2023 Graceful Lily Sonnetpoetess,
6/21/2023 Thalassophile Alexandrinesea,
6/17/2023 Girls On the Bridge - Edvard Munch 1899 Ekphrasisart,
6/14/2023 Recombobulating Chaos Free versenature,
6/10/2023 Relativity - a Vignette Prose Poetryemotions,
5/27/2023 Dreamscape Suzette Primedream,metaphor,philosophy
5/25/2023 The Seeds of Time Quatrainanalogy,introspection,met
5/24/2023 The Moon By Day Sonnetromance,
5/13/2023 Too Old For Mother's Day Free versemothers day,
5/8/2023 Discord and Peace Ekphrasisanalogy,anger,angst,child
5/6/2023 Thick Mist - Wujue Juejuanalogy,nature,
4/22/2023 If a Tree Should Fall Suzette Primedream,philosophy,
4/19/2023 Like Burnt-Out Logs Heroic Coupletemotions,simile,
4/18/2023 An Attenuated Tree Branch Personificationimagery,metaphor,nature,
4/12/2023 Verismo Suzette Primeanalogy,introspection,met
4/6/2023 A Tree Tankaanalogy,image,nature,
4/5/2023 The Welkin - and - the Influences Juejuanalogy,nature,
4/1/2023 The Custodians - a Contemporary Fairytale Othernature,
3/19/2023 Alone Suzette Primeanalogy,inspiration,metap
3/9/2023 A Waste of Space Proseculture,introspection,lit
2/15/2023 Passion - Metaphorical Realism Suzette Primeart,extended metaphor,pas
1/30/2023 Dare To Take a Stand - Zettie's Sonnet Sonnetmetaphor,
1/30/2023 I Dance With Shadows - Yclept Sonnet Sonnetanalogy,city,dream,metaph
1/29/2023 An Evanescent Life - Xaxa Sonnet Sonnetdeath,extended metaphor,l
1/25/2023 Dusk At the Beach Sonnetbeach,friendship,
12/9/2022 By the Silvery Light of a Moon Sonnetmythology,romance,
11/12/2022 Either Way Sonnetanalogy,nature,parody,sat
10/6/2022 Redamancy Lament Suzette Primeafrica,analogy,grief,lost
9/23/2022 You Are the Music Sonnetlove,poetry,
9/9/2022 Thank You Ma'Am - In Memoriam Queen Elizabeth Ii Sonnetdeath,funeral,grief,in me
7/25/2022 Off-Piste Dodoitsujoy,winter,
7/20/2022 Ignorance Is Bliss Quatrainwisdom,
7/16/2022 The Cup of Life Rubaiyatdeath,life,philosophy,
6/12/2022 The Original Mistake Villanellephilosophy,
3/4/2022 Blinded By War Kimoconflict,war,
1/15/2022 The Perfidy of Memoirs Free verseinspiration,memory,
12/11/2021 Withered On the Vine Terzanellehumanity,
10/18/2021 2 Lunes Otherlost love,poetry,seasons,
9/15/2021 What Are Words - a Florilegium Poem Otheranalogy,emotions,literatu
8/15/2021 Out of the Darkness Sonnetanalogy,introspection,
7/29/2021 Memo To All Journos - Buzzwords Couplethumorous,poets,
7/24/2021 Circumlocution - Venn Diagram Free versemath,relationship,
7/23/2021 Golden Spiral - a Phi Poem Othermath,poems,poetry,
7/13/2021 He Has a Name Elegygrief,
7/11/2021 I Don'T Give a Rat's Tail Concreteanimal,literature,
7/4/2021 Brocken Spectre - a Florilegium Poem Otherintrospection,poetry,reli
6/30/2021 A Trilogy in The Tesla 3-6-9 Otheruniverse,
6/14/2021 We Hate the Ones We Have Wronged Suzette Primephilosophy,
6/10/2021 You Are My Muse - a Tribute To Eileen Othermuse,poems,poetess,poetry
5/29/2021 The Fisherman Otherenvironment,family,fishin
5/15/2021 No-Man's-Land Kimoconflict,war,
5/11/2021 Keep the Faith Otherfaith,religion,religious,
4/26/2021 morning has broken Monokuanalogy,dream,introspecti
4/26/2021 Thanatourism Pleiadesgrave,
4/14/2021 Royal Pleiadesculture,grief,history,lon
4/13/2021 Ceraunophiliac - a Suzette Sonnet Sonnetanalogy,god,nature,relati
4/12/2021 Ineffable Mysteries - a Suzette Sonnet Sonnetintrospection,
4/2/2021 Ethereal Sijoafrica,analogy,
3/30/2021 Dawn Song Juejufeelings,image,memory,nat
3/23/2021 Run Through My Mind Othercourage,wisdom,
3/22/2021 Tricoleuse Othermuse,
3/19/2021 The Maigue Poets of Croom Double Dactylfriend,language,poets,
3/17/2021 The Seeker Carpe Diemphilosophy,
3/13/2021 National Pi Day: March 14 Otherlanguage,math,
3/7/2021 Rhyme Tetractyspoetry,
3/4/2021 Scribbler From Southwark Limericklanguage,poets,
3/3/2021 Tiffany Lamp Imagismanalogy,metaphor,poems,po

My Photos


Fav Poems

PoemTitleFormCategories
O April Free verseappreciation,april,beauty
I To Poisonous Honey Free verselife,
O Charming Rhymehumorous,valentines day,
The Usurper King Dramatic Monologueidentity,satire,
The Grey Suzette Primeintrospection,
Prime Crime - Bt Than-Baukdream,horror,
Summer Peak Haikusummer,
Earth Prayer Verseprayer,
Unsure the Shore Sonnet8th grade,beach,bereaveme
Hall Pass Sonnetlove,
Best In Show Dodoitsuwinter,
Fiery Events Haikufire,love,
The Wait Rhymebody,devotion,truth,
Love In Love With Love Sonnetlove,spiritual,
When the Chemistry Is Gone the History Does Not Matter Free verselove,
Floating Shards of Dream Free verseanalogy,lost love,pain,
Lit By Love Quatrainloss,love,strength,
Telegraph Pole Potd Imagismimagery,
Courtney Mae Or Courting May Sonnetmay,
Rebirth Me Prose Poetryhope,mental illness,
Blemished - a Coin Poem Otherpain,
Pulchritudinous Rhymeart,
Poet's Honeymoon Collaboration With Joanna Daniels Rhymefantasy,imagination,
I Died Sonnetallusion,anger,angst,
Ashes - Edvard Munch Ekphrasisart,inspiration,
Bantu Free versepoetry,
Salvations Rests Behind True Faith's Gold Door Sonnetappreciation,art,bible,ch
The Forming of Thoughts Rhymeangst,
When doves cry Free verseeulogy,
Debacle Rhymeconfusion,evil,history,
Pearl-Prayer Sijoemotions,heaven,life,long
apologies for the truth Suzette Primephilosophy,senses,
Amberina Ballerina, Whatever Verseintrospection,
Woven Worlds Othernature,tree,
Roots and Dandelion Dreams: A Mother's Heart Ekphrasisheart,love,mothers day,na
Sea Shore Night Sijonature,sea,
Reason I Believe Free versehow i feel,

Fav Poets

PoetCountry 
James Marshall Goff United States Flag United States Read
Richard Lamoureux Canada Flag Canada Read
Susan Woodrow Fiji Flag Fiji Read
Robert Lindley United States Flag United States Read
Brian Strand United Kingdom Flag United Kingdom Read
Susan Ashley United States Flag United States Read
Andrea Dietrich United States Flag United States Read
Eileen Manassian _Not Listed Flag _Not Listed Read
Christuraj Alex India Flag India Read
Quoth Theraven United States Flag United States Read
Runa Pradhan India Flag India Read
Christopher Flaherty United Kingdom Flag United Kingdom Read
Sara Kendrick United States Flag United States Read
Hilo Poet United States Flag United States Read
Judy Reeves United Kingdom Flag United Kingdom Read
Marcheleo Marcheleo South Africa Flag South Africa Read
Gordon Mcconnell United Kingdom Flag United Kingdom Read
Joanna Daniel India Flag India Read
Tom Woody United States Flag United States Read
Di11y Da11y United Kingdom Flag United Kingdom Read
Frederic Parker United States Flag United States Read
Mark Massey United States Flag United States Read
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Christina Bowring United Kingdom Flag United Kingdom Read
Arlo Parker United States Flag United States Read
Daniel Henry Rodgers United States Flag United States Read

Book: Reflection on the Important Things