This is the
written form of the
Blues, which, like the
music, has its
roots in
African music.
There are two types, one based on content.
Evil
Looks like what drives me crazy
Don't have no effect on you--
But I'm gonna keep on at it
Till it drives you crazy, too.
--Langston Hughes
The second type is based on the blues song structure, as well as content. The traditional blues stanza consisted of three lines: a first line (repeated over and over, w/ varients), the second line draws heavily from the first (often with the same beginning), then a third line. They all rhyme.
If you listen to some old Leadbelly or some other blues, you'll get the idea.
The content of a blues poem is often depressing, but also shows that such problems can be overcome by tough spirits and a graceful/ironic acceptance of all the bad things in life. Sometimes they can even be funny.
Going back to Forms of Poetry? Yes. No.