A list poem, also called a catalog poem, consists of an itemization of things or events. List poems can rhyme or not, and they can be of any length. Walt Whitman, Gertrude Stein, and Allen Ginsberg wrote poems that included lists or poems that were lists. Read Ginsberg’s Howl to see how he used descriptive, repetitive verse and also because you should! Everyone should! The phrasing and speed of his poem will keep you awake and reading.

I’ve written a short list poem for you to peruse.

Animals Are Preferable

Animals are preferable to people because they do not drive,
nor do they smoke, nor do they connive.
Animals are preferable to people because they do not blather
on and on about things that don’t matter.
Animals are preferable to people because they do not gossip,
nor do they gloat, nor strive to “make it.”
Animals are preferable to people because they do not waste
time, nor money, nor my patience.

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Are you interested in famous poets? From outside of the U.S.? Read about the Russian poet, Vladimir Mayakovsky.