shortverse

Shortverse is a term used to describe poetry defined by extreme concision. It refers to micro-poems that are often composed of a few short lines or even a single line, focusing on economy of language and a compact visual or auditory impact. The form is not tied to a single meter or tradition; it tends to be free verse or verse that deliberately minimizes length. Shortverse arises from contemporary poetry practices, particularly online communities and small-press publications that reward brief, digestible pieces.

Common characteristics include brief lines, deliberate line breaks, and ample white space; imagery that condenses emotion or idea; a potential for ambiguity or surprise; and a reliance on suggestion rather than explicit explanation. Many shortverse pieces are designed to be read in moments between other activities, and may be under a few dozen words. Variants include single-line poems and multi-line micro-poems of two to six lines; some adhere to strict character limits similar to tweet-length constraints.

Although short verse has existed in various forms for centuries (epigrams, haiku, epigraphs), the label shortverse is a modern umbrella used by readers and writers to categorize abbreviated poetry circulating online and in zines. It has been used in literary blogs, social media, and anthologies that collect micro-poems. Critics note it foregrounds precision and musicality, but some question whether it can sustain complexity in such brevity.

An example: light crawls across the window, the day waking softly. A sparrow forgets the night. Related terms include micro-poetry, flash poetry, and haiku, though those forms may differ in tradition or structure.