What is a list poem?

A list poem is a poem written in the form of a list, usually with a twist of some kind at the end of the poem. List poems are popular creative writing assignments in elementary school.

Teachers often assign list poems as writing assignments to children in the upper elementary grades because they don't require rhyme, can be written on any subject and have a pre-set structure the children can use as a framework for their poem. A good list poem uses parallel structure throughout its list of items and ends with a twist that bends the reader's expectations in some way.