American Poetry

Types of Poetry by African Americans

The contributions by African Americans to the canon of English-language poetry go back at least as far as the mid-18th century. Types of poetry include classical and devotional verse, gospel songs, anti-slavery verse, and meditations on identity.

Corridos are narrative songs from Mexico detailing important historical events and life experiences. Although traditional corridos surged after the Mexican Independence War and during the Mexican-American Revolution, its resurgence in the late 19th century was do in part to German immigrants who settled in northern Mexican regions.

African American Poetry Scholarships

For those aspiring to be the next Maya Angelou, Amiri Baraka, or Nikki Giovanni, the opportunity may begin with scholarships that are granted to African-American students. These scholarships are given to young poets to continue their writing as well as their education. These scholarships come from organizations such as Alltel Wireless and Dr. Maya Angelou's "Words of Wisdom" contest. Other notable scholarships are issued by organizations such as Lotus Press and the Live Poets Society of New Jersey.

The cinquain form of poetry came about in 1916. The name comes from the French word "cinq," meaning "five," because this type of poem consists of a five-line stanza. Other characteristics include that it does not rhyme and has no more than 22 syllables, which are written in a 2-4-6-8-2 pattern. The form has evolved over time, and while it's primarily used in children's poetry, this simple, expressive form remains popular with many people.