Concrete Poetry

It is a type of poem with a shape that suggests its subject. In this case, the poet arranges the letters, the punctuation and the lines to create an image. By doing so, the poet manages to convey or extend the meaning of words. This poem retains its meaning when read aloud, however, its essence lies in its appearance on the page rather than in words, which are intended to be perceived as a visual whole.

The Altar

  A broken ALTAR, Lord, thy servant rears,

 Made of a heart and cemented with tears:

  Whose parts are as thy hand did frame;

No workman's tool hath touch'd the same.

                   A HEART alone

                   Is such a stone,

                  As nothing but

                  Thy pow'r doth cut.

                  Wherefore each part

                  Of my hard heart

                  Meets in this frame,

                  To praise thy name:

       That if I chance to hold my peace,

 These stones to praise thee may not cease.

   Oh, let thy blessed SACRIFICE be mine,

     And sanctify this ALTAR to be thine.            

                                                           BY George HERBERT

Task

What image does the above poem create and does it help you to understand the message.