are rather distinct from one another. The similarities shared between them are general and can be extended to include long formfiction as well. Short stories, drama, poetry and novels are each examples of creative literary forms. 

Each of these forms is a mode of creative writing. Imagination is at the heart of each genre. Many literary tools are shared between the short story, drama and poetry such as a use of metaphor and other types of figurative language. 

Drama and shorts stories can be argued to, formally, have more in common with one another than they do with poetry because drama and short stories are narrative - they tell a story, feature characters (and characterization) and present both conflict and resolution. 

Poetry can be narrative but is not defined by the presence of a narrative as these other modes are. There is no such thing as a non-narrative short story because narrative is essential to the definition of a short story. The same thing goes for drama. However, poetry is definitively still poetry regardless of the presence of narrative (character, conflict, resolution, etc.). 

There are both significant differences and similarities between these three types of literature. Drama, or playwriting, and poetry are some of the oldest types of literature known and both have a vital oral component: they are both meant to be heard and not just written. Therefore these forms are much concerned with the actual sound of words, the pace, the rhythm, and so on. Plays have a story/plot that has to be acted out and spoken by actors on stage; dialogue is therefore a central aspect of drama.

Poetry can also sometimes tell a story, in which case it is known as narrative poetry; two important forms of narrative poetry are the epic (common to ancient literature all over the world) and the ballad. More often, however, poetry does not tell a story but rather concentrates on evoking feelings and images. Poetry, of all literary forms is generally the most concerned with how language works in order to achieve a certain effect, and to this end liberally employs such literary devices as alliteration, onomatopoeia, word-play, metaphor, and so on. Of course, such devices are also used in other literary forms, but they are generally the most closely associated with poetry.

To turn to the short story, it should first of all be noted that in the broadest sense the term 'short story' can include any type of brief narrative such as the anecdote and the fable, both of which have long histories and probably were spoken aloud originally, akin to poetry and drama. However the short story as a distinct art form developed much later than poetry and drama, and generally lacks the oral aspect of these earlier forms. Aside from this, it has some traits in common with both: obviously it tells a story, and dialogue between characters can be of great importance, as in drama. However, some short stories concentrate more on feelings, thoughts, impressions, and images than on actual plot or dialogue; in this way the short story can resemble a lot of poetry.

Drama and poetry are both originally intended to be read aloud. With drama, dialogue is typical, and the plot is often developed via dramatic irony meant to build tension until the revelation of some truth or the conflict is resolved. Dramatic irony is created when the audience knows more than the character, and, with its resolution, the audience often experiences a kind of pleasing catharsis, a purging of that tension the irony created. While poetry often lacks a "plot" in the typical sense, it too is meant to be spoken aloud. In addition to the rhythm that characterizes most poetry, so do sound devices such as alliteration, consonance, assonance, onomatopoeia, rhyme, and refrain. Poetry, like drama, is meant to be heard.

Short stories differ from drama and poetry in this way. They aren't necessarily meant to be heard, though they are designed to be read in one sitting. They are not as condensed, so to speak, as poetry is, but they do provide pleasure in that they provide a complete tale, with a conflict and resolution, and can be completed in a relatively short amount of time.

Let's start with drama. Drama is different from the other two forms in that a story is told through dialogue. There can be stage directions and information about how certain pieces of dialogue should be delivered; however, readers and audiences are not privy to the thoughts of characters unless those thoughts are spoken.

Prose (short stories, novels, etc.) can explore the internal thoughts and emotions of characters. Prose can also provide huge amounts of setting details to readers that dramas tend to ignore or minimize.

Poetry can be difficult to define. It can have rhythm and meter and rhyme, but it doesn't have to be in that format either. It can be a narrative about an event, and it can include dialogue as well. It tends to be a bit shorter of a literary form, but poems like "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" and "The Lady of Shalott" are quite long. Anecdotally, I had a professor one year that said "poetry is creating the most imagery or evoking the most emotion with the fewest amount of words." That can not be applied to every poem, but it does provide some decent direction about how poetry tends to focus on emotions and the senses of readers.

Regarding the similarities, each form delivers information to readers. Additionally, each form is going to incorporate themes. While it isn't guaranteed, all three forms are likely to use figurative language throughout as well.

POETRY.  Poetry is usually the shortest of the three forms, written in lined verse and stanzas; poems can be rhyming or unrhymed, and include aspects, such as meter and rhythm, not usually found in short stories and drama. Poetry can tell a story, but it is usually written to aesthetically appeal to the emotions.

SHORT STORY.  A fictional piece of prose usually no more than about 30 pages (longer works would be considered a novella or novel), the short story most often takes place over a shorter period of time than a novel, with fewer characters, settings and sub-plots. It generally is written as a narrative form of story-telling 

DRAMA.  A play is meant to be performed on stage. It can be written in prose or verse, but its structure includes specific designations for each line (or passage) attributed to individual characters. Stage directions, such as entrances and exits, are usually included. Music, song and dance are often included.