A Gesture of Words: Poetry Forms and Formulas

The purpose of A Gesture of Words is to acquaint the reader with a wide variety of poetic forms. The author’s hope is that in doing so the reader will want to experiment with these different forms and create something that fulfills its own unique identity—that sheds to some degree the conventional garb of modern verse. By no means is this an exhaustive study. The 33 examples explained and illustrated in this collection are but a fraction of the many kinds of fixed verse found among the cultures of our world. John Foster is one of Florida’s most honored and best loved poets, as testified to by these words of tribute by Peter Meinke, Florida’s Poet Laureate: “It’s a great delight to have John Foster’s 4th wise and witty collection, which both pleases and instructs as he leads us through exotic and intricate forms (e.g. the Clogyrnach and the Diminished Pentaverse) while commenting wittily on human behavior in general, and frailty in particular.” EDUCATED AT YALE, MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE AND THE SORBONNE, John Foster has been a teacher and administrator at private secondary schools in the Northeast. He is known throughout West Central Florida for his instructional and entertaining readings. In 2013 he was appointed National Poetry Judge by the National Federation of State Poetry Societies. As a member of the Florida State Poets Association, he has offered workshops at their annual conventions where he often serves as an awards reader. Poetry from his three earlier collections has earned many awards at both state and national levels. At 83, he still enjoys teaching bridge and participating in community theater.