What term describes the underlying framework of a poem that includes its rhyming pattern and imagery?

The term that describes the underlying framework of a poem, including its rhyming pattern and imagery, is "form." The form of a poem refers to its overall structure, which encompasses various elements such as stanza arrangement, meter, rhyme scheme, and any specific conventions related to its genre (e.g., sonnet, haiku). In this way, the form sets the groundwork for how the poem’s content is conveyed and understood, influencing the reader's experience.

While the structure of the poem could also suggest aspects of its form, it is a broader term that doesn't explicitly highlight attributes like rhyme and imagery as the primary aspects of the poem's framework. Theme focuses on the underlying ideas or messages conveyed in the poem, while context pertains to the external factors that surround the poem—such as historical or social influences—rather than describing its internal structure. Thus, form is the most appropriate term for outlining the foundational characteristics of a poem.