Explore our comprehensive glossary of poetry terms. Whether you're a student, teacher, or poetry enthusiast, our glossary will help you understand key concepts, definitions, and examples that are essential in the study of poetry.
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| Term | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Kakemono | In Japanese aesthetics, a hanging scroll used to display calligraphy or poetry. | The kakemono often features haiku or other forms of Japanese poetry. |
| Kalevalaic Meter | A meter used in Finnish epic poetry, particularly in the "Kalevala". It is characterized by unrhymed lines of trochaic tetrameter. | The "Kalevala" is an epic poem written in this meter. |
| Katauta | A traditional Japanese form of poetry with a syllabic structure of 5-7-7. It is often used as a part of a larger work called a "Sedoka". | A katauta may express a question or a reflection in just three lines. |
| Kenning | A metaphorical compound word or phrase used in Old English and Old Norse poetry to describe something indirectly. | In "Beowulf", the sea is often referred to as the "whale-road". |
| Kigo | A seasonal word or phrase used in traditional Japanese haiku to indicate the season in which the poem is set. | The word "sakura" (cherry blossoms) is a kigo for spring. |
| Kigo (additional example) | A word or phrase associated with a particular season, used in Japanese haiku and related forms. | The word "cricket" is a kigo for autumn in haiku. |
| Kinetic Poetry | A form of digital poetry that combines text with movement and interactivity. | A kinetic poem might display words that rearrange themselves or change color as the reader interacts with them. |
| Klippe | In Scandinavian poetry, a term used to describe a sudden and abrupt ending or transition in the poem. | This technique is often used to create a dramatic effect or to emphasize the finality of a statement. |
| Knittelvers | A German poetic form characterized by simple language, regular meter, and frequent use of rhymed couplets. | Knittelvers was commonly used in medieval German drama and narrative poetry. |
| Kundiman | A traditional Filipino love song or poem that expresses deep, often unrequited love. | Kundiman often features themes of love and loss, with a melancholic tone. |