Hyperbole

What is a Hyperbole : Exaggerated claims not meant to be taken literally.

Caged Bird by Maya Angelou

A free bird leaps

on the back of the wind   

and floats downstream   

till the current ends

and dips his wing

in the orange sun rays

and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks

down his narrow cage

can seldom see through

his bars of rage

his wings are clipped and   

his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings   

with a fearful trill   

of things unknown   

but longed for still   

and his tune is heard   

on the distant hill   

for the caged bird   

sings of freedom.

The free bird thinks of another breeze

and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees

and the fat worms waiting on a dawn bright lawn

and he names the sky his own

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams   

his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream   

his wings are clipped and his feet are tied   

so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings   

with a fearful trill   

of things unknown   

but longed for still   

and his tune is heard   

on the distant hill   

for the caged bird   

sings of freedom.

Maya Angelou may have decided to use this form because of its uniqueness. Being able to exaggerate the littleset things to give it the largerst amount of thought and depth. Hyperboles can take poetry to another level of excitement.

definition - http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_a_hyperbole
poem - http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/178948

Closed Form

What is Closed Form : A type of poetry that exhibit regular structure, such as rhythm patterns, or meters.

A Hymn To The Evening by Phillis Wheatley

SOON as the sun forsook the eastern main
The pealing thunder shook the heav'nly plain;
Majestic grandeur! From the zephyr's wing,
Exhales the incense of the blooming spring.
Soft purl the streams, the birds renew their notes,
And through the air their mingled music floats.
Through all the heav'ns what beauteous dies are
spread!
But the west glories in the deepest red:
So may our breasts with ev'ry virtue glow,
The living temples of our God below!
Fill'd with the praise of him who gives the light,
And draws the sable curtains of the night,
Let placid slumbers sooth each weary mind,
At morn to wake more heav'nly, more refin'd;
So shall the labours of the day begin
More pure, more guarded from the snares of sin.
Night's leaden sceptre seals my drowsy eyes,

poem - http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/an-hymn-to-the-evening/
definition - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Closed_form

Ballad

What is A Ballad : a poem or song narrating a story in short stanzas.

Lines Written in Early Spring by William Wordsworth

 I HEARD a thousand blended notes,
          While in a grove I sate reclined,          In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts
          Bring sad thoughts to the mind.

          To her fair works did Nature link
          The human soul that through me ran;          And much it grieved my heart to think
          What man has made of man.

          Through primrose tufts, in that green bower,
          The periwinkle trailed its wreaths;                       
          And 'tis my faith that every flower          Enjoys the air it breathes.

          The birds around me hopped and played,          Their thoughts I cannot measure:--
          But the least motion which they made
          It seemed a thrill of pleasure.

          The budding twigs spread out their fan,
          To catch the breezy air;
          And I must think, do all I can,          That there was pleasure there.                            

          If this belief from heaven be sent,
          If such be Nature's holy plan,
          Have I not reason to lament
          What man has made of man?


Wordsworth may have wanted to use this form because of its simplicity. Ballads are usually pretty in words, can be short, and sometimes rhyme.

poem - http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/181415
definition - http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_a_ballad