nowpoetic

Nowpoetic is a term used in contemporary poetry discourse to describe a range of poetic practices that emphasize immediacy, topical relevance, and digital dissemination. It is not a formal movement with a fixed canon, but a loose label applied by critics, educators, and poets to categorize certain online- and media-facing works.

Typical characteristics of nowpoetic include short or micro-poems, spoken or vernacular language, and a present-tense or near-real-time voice. Works often experiment with typography and layout, and they frequently appear in multi-modal formats that blend text with images, audio, or video. Many nowpoetic pieces are published or circulated through digital platforms and social media, enabling rapid sharing and iterative creation.

The term emerged as internet-based poetry communities and micro-poetry circles grew in the late 2010s and beyond. It overlaps with slam and performance poetry as well as with experimental digital poetry, but definitions vary among critics. Some emphasize social engagement and topicality, while others stress formal experimentation and the cross-platform nature of presentation.

Reception of the label nowpoetic is mixed. Proponents view it as a useful umbrella for describing diverse online-poetry practices that respond to contemporary life, media, and public discourse. Critics warn that the term can be too broad or vague, risking obscuring distinct poetic approaches under a single umbrella.

See also: contemporary poetry, digital poetry, micro-poetry, social media poetry, performance poetry.