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Speculative Poetry

Lyric and Short Poetic Forms

Speculative poetry is a genre of poetry that focuses on fantastic, science fictional and mythological themes, also known as science fiction poetry or fantastic poetry. It is distinguished from other poetic genres by being categorized by its subject matter rather than by the poem's form; poet Suzette Haden Elgin defined it as poetry about a reality that is in some way different from existing reality. The Rhysling Award, first given in 1978 by the Science Fiction & Fantasy Poetry Association, was the first major award for an individual speculative poem.

Facts
Place of Origin
United States 1
Notable Example
The Rhysling Award, first given in 1978 by the Science Fiction & Fantasy Poetry Association 1
Defining Trait
Distinguished from other poetic genres by being categorized by its subject matter rather than by the poem's form 1
In the Other Atlases
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Speculative poetry
  • History section
    In common with the gradual recognition of science fiction and fantasy as distinct literary genres in the 1930s, science-fictional poetry began publication as a distinct genre in the pulp magazines of the United States.
  • Lead section
    The Rhysling Award was the first major award for an individual speculative poem, first given in 1978 with the founding of the US-based Science Fiction & Fantasy Poetry Association.
  • Lead section [defining-trait] [4]
    It is distinguished from other poetic genres by being categorized by its subject matter, rather than by the poetry's form.
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