* Echoing sounds: The poem utilizes repetition of sounds, often consonants, to create a sense of auditory texture and rhythm. This can be done through alliteration, assonance, consonance, and even onomatopoeia.
* Structured form: The poem follows a specific, pre-defined form, such as a sonnet, villanelle, or sestina. This structure adds a layer of complexity and order to the poem.
This combination of elements makes the poem highly structured and evocative.
Here are some examples of how these elements can be combined:
* Alliteration:
* "The sea shells shimmered softly on the shore."
* Assonance:
* "The owl on the oak observed the other oak."
* Consonance:
* "The pitcher plunged passing the post."
* Onomatopoeia:
* "The crash of the waves against the shore."
* Sonnet:
* This form uses a specific rhyme scheme and line count, and can easily incorporate echoing sounds.
* Villanelle:
* This form uses repeated lines and rhymes, creating a musical effect.
By combining these elements, a highly structured echoic poem can create a rich and layered reading experience for the audience.
Here is a short example of a highly structured echoic poem:
The Whispering Willow
The willow weaves its wandering ways,
A whispering wordless wayward wise,
Its windsong wails in windswept ways.
The water wanders where it wills,
And whispers words the willow wills,
The willow weaves its wandering ways.
Its whispers waken when the wind whils,
And weave a world of wonder while it wills,
Its windsong wails in windswept ways.
The water wanders, waves and whirs,
And whispers words the willow whisses,
The willow weaves its wandering ways.
The willow weaves its wandering ways,
The windsong wails in windswept ways,
And whispers words the willow wills.
This poem uses alliteration ("w" throughout) and a specific rhyme scheme (ABA ABA ABA ABA ABA ABAA) to create a structured and echoic effect. The repetition of sounds and structure creates a hypnotic and evocative reading experience.