The Blitz Poem, compared to other poem styles like the sonnet or haiku, is just starting to crawl into the mainstream. Created in 2008 by Robert Keim on the Shadow Poetry website, Blitz poems are few and far between. However, they are packed with fast-paced fun.
Blitz poems are unique in that they bombard the reader’s senses with abrupt imagery and feeling, using tempo to provide constant sensation. Blitz poems consist of 50 lines total, or 25 couplets. This may seem like an extensive amount of writing, but each line should be kept short, usually two to four words. The catch, and what makes writing a Blitz fun, is the repetition that occurs.
Each couplet begins with the word that ends the couplet above it, and both lines in a couplet start with that same word.
The last two lines of the poem should be one word only, and be the last words of the two lines above it. The title consists of three words, the first word of line three, the first word of line 47, and a preposition or conjunction to join the two.
There is no meter, no rhyme scheme, and no punctuation. The repetition provides a pattern that makes writing the poem enjoyable and allows the reader to pause and process the poem. The process may seem daunting, but, once you get a hang of the structure, Blitz poems are a great way to allow your creative brain to find a rhythm.
If you plan to write a blitz poem, don’t think too much. Go in with a general idea, but let the words take the poem in whatever direction they want.
Avoid using adjectives and adverbs, instead opt for strong verbs to convey your message. And remember, the meaning will come from all of the lines mixed together. Don’t be afraid to try out a few variations or change a few words.
Blitz Poems are rapid, with an emphasis on short, concise lines that keep the pace moving at breakneck speed. This allows the poems to convey feelings in a way that not many other poems can.
These can be sensational creative pieces that provide a unique experience for both the writer and the reader.
Hunt the Power
Serafina Kubersky
Forest trees
Forest animals
Animals that fly
Animals that hunt
Hunt the deer
Hunt the innocent
Innocent like the fawn
Innocent like naive
Naive as the young
Naive as flowers
Flowers get picked
Flowers get discarded
Discard the past
Discard the fears
Fears that sting
Fears that control
Control the country
Control the crown
Crown the king
Crown the imposter
Imposter among us
Imposter in the walls
Walls smother words
Walls hide deeds
Deeds are done
Deeds are bloody
Bloody hands
Bloody clothes
Clothes are stained
Clothes are torn
Torn from earth
Torn from reality
Reality is scary
Reality is a lie
Lie to yourself
Lie to others
Others can’t see
Others must die
Die for the throne
Die for power
Power is sacrifice
Power is sanity
Sacrifice…
Sanity…
Bev green • Jan 12, 2024 at 7:51 pm
I could not have said it better than Izzy did!
I loved the pattern of repetition best!
Izzy Thompson • Oct 20, 2023 at 2:31 pm
I loved this article! I had never heard of a “Blitz Poem” before, but now I feel thoroughly informed. I also absolutely love that you included an example at the end; it really helped my understanding. The “Imposter among us” line was funny, too.