Final answer:
The characteristic that makes a poem a concrete poem is its visual arrangement, which uses the layout of words on the page to contribute to the meaning of the poem, differing from traditional poetry that focuses on rhyme, meter, or narrative structure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristics that make "Englishmen's Footprints" a concrete poem are primarily found in its visual arrangement, which refers to the way the words and lines are laid out on the page to create a specific shape or to visually suggest an idea or object that is central to the poem's content. This structure often contributes to the poem's meaning beyond the words themselves, adding a layer of depth through visual symbolism or representation.
Concrete poetry can also utilize traditional poetic elements such as word choice, rhythm, rhyme, meter, and figurative language, but the defining feature of a concrete poem is its emphasis on the physical layout of text. For example, a poem about a star might be arranged in the shape of a star on the page. This technique is distinct from traditional forms of poetry that primarily focus on sound devices like meter and rhyme or narrative structure. While concrete poetry may include narrative elements or figurative language, such elements are not what categorize it as a concrete poem.