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Explore the Craft of Writing Light Verse The Didactic Cinquain or Recipe Poem is often taught to American school children used as an aid in exploring the poetic mind, or just having fun with words. It uses parts of speech for the set form and in this regard is similar to the Diamante or Diamond Poem. This verse form is not to be confused with Rhyming Recipe or Recipe Poem which sets a culinary recipe to rhyme. The elements of the Didactic Cinquain or Recipe Poem are: a cinquain with lines made up of L1 1 noun, L2 2 adjectives, L3 3 verbs, L4 1 phrase or sentence, L5 1 noun. unmetered, the rhythm of every day speech. unrhymed. meant to instruct. --------Movies, ------- old, new enlighten, entertain, touch ----- Two please, ------- popcorn? ----- ----jvg 4-5-05 The Patina is an invented form very similar to the didactic cinquain, created by Pat Nelson at Writing.com. Rather than meter and rhyme the focus is on words, adjectives and nouns. The elements of the Patina are: stanzaic, written in any number of tercets. measured in words rather than metric feet or syllables. L1 two words an adjective and a noun. L2 two adjectives and a noun expanding the image in L1. These 3 words should be alliterated, begin with same letter. L3 four words that explain the meaning of the image or theme. unrhymed. titled. Balm Gentle waves Cradling, calming caress Comfort for my affliction Fervid sun Penetrating, purifying poultice Balm for my aching Foamy water Splashing, scintillating serenade Therapy to my soul Salty air Infusing, invigorating impetus Elixir for my spirit Sandy beach Spongy, squishy silt Remedy for my cares ~~ Pat Nelson December 29, 2012 Five O'clock ticking clock difficult, draining day time to go home ~~jvg

Explore the Craft of Writing American Verse Crapsey Cinquain and some of its Variations Crapsey Cinquain, one of the most popular modern variations of the cinquain was created by the American poet Adelaide Crapsey, 1897-1914. In 1909 Ms Crapsey became interested in Japanese poetry. In her study notebook she lists tanka and haiku translations from which she developed a set form which she called the "Cinquain". In some poetic circles this form is referred to as the Crapsey or Crapsey Cinquain, in others, particularly on-line it is simply referred to as a Cinquain. (The latter could be misleading since technically the term "cinquain" is defined as any poem or stanza which is 5 lines. The elements of the Crapsey Cinquain are: a stand-alone poem, a complete poem in 5 lines. It can be written in a chain, but each cinquain should be able to stand alone. syllabic lines in a pattern of 2-4-6-8-2 syllable per line. The original poems were mostly iambic. often composed with a reflective theme unrhymed. always titled. The title almost acts as a 6th line.Triad by Adelaide Crapsey1910 from The Complete Poems" 1915 These be Three silent things: The falling snow...the hour Before the dawn...the mouth of one Just dead. Patriarch by Judi Van Gorder 12-5-10 The glue that held us close has gone at ninety five. Today he closed his clear blue eyes and died. Parent by Judi Van Gorder 9-14-02 Behave! Manners are required, hooligans not welcome. Mother reminds rowdy children, with love. didactic cinquain by Marti Forest Blue, hushed Dreaming, breathing, living Imperious in its beauty Sacred The following are some variations on the form that I have run across in my research: Cinq Cinquain is a verse form of 5 Crapsey Cinquains written as 5 sequential stanzas. Butterfly Cinquain Cinquain Chain or Corona of Cinquains is stanzaic invented verse made up of a series of Crapsey Cinquains linked in a chain or corona by the last line of each cinquain repeated as the first line of the next cinquain. Headline by Judi Van Gorder A child is yanked from play while frightened playmates stare; the thief flies in a blue Honda, somewhere. . . somewhere, the mother begs for her child's safe return; lights and microphones shadow her, hopeful... hopeful deputies search, pressing every bell; a body is found, thrown down, neck broken broken, a rookie cop fights tears and wipes his eyes, then rushes home to hold his own, a child. Badger's Hexastich is a fun variation of the Crapsey Cinquain invented by our own Badger. It simply expands the cinquain to another line and 2 more syllables. The elements of the Badger's Hexastich are: a poem in 6 lines. syllabic, 2-4-6-6-4-2. unrhymed, optional rising and falling end-words. reading, rooted in mind, not tasting ripe berries, the oozing summer window open, waiting ~~Phil Wood First flight, small granddaughter visits Grandma with Dad, Mom, brother and sisters in soccer play-offs back home. --Judi Van Gorder Happy for no reason. But who needs a reason to smile and laugh and sing? Who needs prompting? Not I. ~~ Mordee2 at Writing.com Garland of Cinquains is a series of 6 Crapsey Cinquains with the 6th and last cinquain made up of lines from the previous cinquains. L1 of the poem is L1 stanza 6, L2 of the 2nd stanza is L2 of the stanza 6, L3 of the third stanza is L3 of the stanza 6 etc. Cinquain Swirl is an invented verse form based on 2 or more Crapsey Cinquains syllable count written without breaks using L5 of each cinquain as L1 of the next cinquain. When centered on the page the lines form a swirling effect. Writing.com Syllable count is 2-4-6-8-2-4-6-8-2-4-6-8-2 etc. It can be written in any number of lines that complete the 2-4-6-8-2 cycle. At Poet's Garrett L1 of the first cinquain is repeated as the 2 syllable line similar to a refrain throughout the poem. 2-4-6-8-2-4-6-8-2 It can be written in any number of lines that complete the 2-4-6-8-2-4-6-8-2 cycle. Cinquino is, what seems to me, a gimmicky invented verse form that reverses the syllable count of the Crapsey Cinquain. It was found in a book on poetry for teachers and was created by a 20th century American educator James Neille Northe. The elements of the Cinquino are: a poem in 5 lines. syllabic, 2-8-6-4-2 syllables per line. unrhymed I Am Holiday Travel by Judi Van Gorder alone time flies on flitting fairy wings up down and all around I am here now alive ~~ jvg Mirror Cinquain simply doubles the Crapsey Cinquain. The elements are: decastich (10 line poem) syllabic, 2-4-6-8-2-2-8-6-4-2 syllables per line. unrhymed. titled. The Pensee found in the Caulkins Handbook stresses exact syllable count and strong end words. This invented verse form was first introduced by American poet and educator, Alice Spokes. It can be found on line at Instant Poetry Forms for Kids The elements of the Pensee are: a pentastich, a poem in 5 lines. syllabic, 2-4-7-8-8 syllables per line. unrhymed. titled. Memorial by Judi Van Gorder Soldiers lost in battle, boys sent to war, die as men. Our security and freedom paid at the cost of their future. Quintiles are multiples of Crapsey Cinquains that center on a similar theme. Any number of cinquains may be gathered and since not otherwise addressed, I assume the different stanzas of this stanzaic invented form may be written by different poets, much like the Renga. Reverse Cinquain, an invented verse form, is a backward Crapsey Cinquain reversing the syllable count to 2-8-6-4-2 per line.

Explore the Craft of Writing Light Verse Clerihew is a type of epigram named for and invented by Edmund Clerihew Bentley (1875-1956) when he was a schoolboy; the very first Clerihew was written in science class when apparently his mind was wandering from the subject. The form quickly gained popularity among his fellow students but has later been utilized and published by such recognized poets W. H. Auden. The Clerihew mocks the famous and those in authority through a humorous perspective. It is often deliberately clumsy and could be put in the burlesque genre. The elements of the Clerihew are: satirical poetry, an epigram. often metered, written in iambic dimeter, but can be expanded using the rhythm of normal speech. a single quatrain. a mocking epigram of someone (usually famous or in authority) The first line is the title and the name of a person whom the epigram will mock. the second line rhymes with the name of the subject. rhymed, rhyme scheme aabb. Sir Humphrey Davy Detested gravy He lived in the odium Of having discovered sodium. --- E Clerihew Bentley The King of Pop, his name is Michael, nose, chin and skin, he chose to recycle. Genius with drive from the Jackson Five, he's a Thriller, dancing on toes and singing jive. ~ ~ Judi Van Gorder Royal, Kate Middleton Stripped to catch some sun. Neglectful, she forgot to hide As her crown assets slipped outside - - - Frank Gibbard

Explore the Craft of Writing Light Verse Little Willies or Ruthless Rhymes were made popular at the turn of the 19th century because of a publication by Col. D Streamer"s (Harry Graham English poet , 1874-1936) Ruthless Rhymes for Heartless Homes. Graham took the pen name from his regiment, the Coldstream Guards. He wrote short satirical poems, one about a boy named Billy. Billy became Willie and a new form was born. The poems were recited and copied all over the English speaking world. The elements of Little Willies are: satirical accentual, with 4 stresses per line. a tetrastich. A complete poem in 4 lines. composed with a surprise last line and a touch of sadistic humor. rhymed. Rhyme scheme aabb or abab. light verse. often composed using Little Willie and his family as the brunt of the joke. Willie with a thirst for gore nailed his sister to the door Mother said with humor quaint "Careful, Willie, don't scratch the paint." -------------------- --anonymous The Colonel brought Willie fame, his contribution to the arts, but whenever I hear the name my thoughts turn to body parts. ------------ -- Judi Van Gorder More Little Willies Dead Lounge

Explore the Craft of Writing Light Verse Bagarthach verse was hatched in the science fiction novel The Reefs of Earth by American writer R. A Lafferty. In the novel, alien immigrants to earth occasionally speak in verse. They call it Bagarthach Verse and it has powers beyond the words. (Well, doesn't all good poetry?) In the book the mean spirited wishes of the verse often come true. The verse is similar to Ruthless Rhyme. In this world, when written by earthlings, the verse form would be categorized as Light Verse. The elements of the Bagarthach are: funny or clever but mean spirited. short, one quatrain. syllabic 8-9-8-9 syllables per line, sometimes all lines are 8 syllables. rhymed abab. Here is the first Bagarthach verse in Lafferty's book, spoken during an argument between two aliens. "I'm turning livid in this bog, This wooly world that spooks and spites you. You'll find that picture's got a dog! I hope the blinking bugger bites you!" Consequently the alien to whom the verse is directed is found dead from a dog bite..... So be careful what you write.. (Yes, I actually bought and read the book for this research.)

Explore the Craft of Writing Light Verse The Minute Poem is a 60 syllable verse form, one syllable for each second in a minute. The theme should be an event that is over and done completely, as in a minute. Since the dominant line is short the effect is likely humorous, whimsical or semi-serious. It was created by Verna Lee Hinegardner, once poet laureate of Arkansas. The elements of the Minute Poem are: narrative poetry. a 12 line poem made up of 3 quatrains. syllabic, 8-4-4-4-8-4-4-4-8-4-4-4 rhymed, rhyme scheme of aabb ccdd eeff. description of a finished event (preferably something done is 60 seconds). is best suited to light verse, likely humorous, whimsical or semi-serious. by Judi Van Gorder Heaven's Hues Above the hills. clouds floated by to prink the sky with heaven's mist. The angels kissed the pale wash of lavender, pink and slate. Light sinks below treetops, horizons' props. It plays the sunset's rhapsody in harmony with soft refrain to stay the rain. Mission For the Queen Quickly the tiny ants skitter pesky critters from afar just dots little black spots One staggers with weight of a crumb like a drunken bum it rights itself crawls down the shelf Mission stamped into DNA its life, the pay to feed the queen whom no one's seen. Timer Set on Pop A steady mechanical whir provocateur A snapping pop crackle won't stop Paper container explosion artful fusion Addicting bite crunchy delight Popping corn in the microwave the taste I crave the butter-rich kernels bewitch. Memorial Day

Explore the Craft of Writing Light Verse The Limerick is an old folk-tradition. Although commonly thought to be Irish, there is evidence that this verse form is, in fact, an old French form brought to the town of Limerick Ireland by returning veterans of the French War in 1702. Conversly, the verse form can be traced back even further. The oldest recorded poem fitting the metered, rhymed frame is from Thomas Aquinas (Italy 1225-1274). Sit vitiorum meorum evacuation Concupiscentae et libidinis exterminatio, Caritatis et patientiae, Humilitatis et obedientiae, Omniumque virtutum augmentation. Whatever evidence of French or Latin influence, the form still epitomizes all things Irish to me, therefore I include it with the Irish verse forms. It was popularized in England by Edward Lear in 1846 as a result of his travels to Ireland in his Book of Nonsense. During this time Lear is also said to have written The Owl and the Pussy Cat for his daughter. The Limerick of today is whimsical, witty and often bawdy. I have read that some of the Limericks that have hung around the longest are down right raunchy. The simplicity and quick easy wit of the limerick quite possibly account for its ageless run of popularity. It is the only Irish stanza that is used exclusively for light verse. The elements of the Limerick are: a poem in 5 lines, a pentastich. metered verse written in anapestic patterns. L1, L2, and L5 are trimeter (3 metric feet) and L3 and L4 are dimeter (2 metric feet). (anapest = da da DUM or u-u-S = unstressed , unstressed, stressed syllables.) best used for witty, whimsical, bawdy themes, light verse. written with a rhyme scheme a,a,b,b,a. no title is used. is adaptable to variation. The 3rd and 4th dimeter lines are often indented. And because so many Limericks begin "There once was a ..." the first syllable of a line may be absent. Also, there may be an additional or subtracted syllable at the end or even in the middle of a line, if it can be read without breaking the rhythm. Sometimes the third and fourth lines are printed as a single line with internal rhyme. So a Limerick sounds like this: (da) da DUM da da DUM da da DUM, (da) (da) da DUM da da DUM da da DUM, (da) (da) da Dum da da DEE, (da) da DUM da da DEE, (da) da DUM da da DUM da da DUM (da) (da) in parenthasis is optional There was a young lady of Niger Who smiled as she rode on a Tiger; They came back from the ride With the lady inside, And the smile on the face of the Tiger. --- unknown The parrot was messy and loud; her master was doting and proud. But should master die, his wife won't deny, the bird will be wearing a shroud. ---Judi Van Gorder An Irishman came to my city. his manner was charming and witty. He courted a lass who had a large ass, and he praised her big butt --- in a ditty. ---Judi Van Gorder Cross Limerick is an American invented form, a variation of the Limerick found in Pathways of a Poet by Viola Berg. It adds a couple of lines to the Limerick verse form. The elements of the Cross Limerick are: a septet. (7 lines). metric, anapestic patterns. L1, L2, and L7 are trimeter (3 metric feet) and L3, L4, L5 and L6 are dimeter (2 metric feet). (anapest = da da DUM or u-u-S = unstressed , unstressed, stressed syllables.) rhymed, rhyme scheme aabcbca. best used for witty, whimsical, bawdy themes, light verse. untitled

I am NOT religiously orthodox, but I am just now "getting" how powerful imagery, metaphor, and allegory can be. And I have not written much these past few months. One of my lawn customers has a statue of Mary: all the color gone, flaking, missing hands, face almost worn smooth. Statues of Mary rot in every rock garden that has a rose bush and bird bath. Amen. Statues of Mary are often missing both hands. How can she hold Her Son's body? Amen.

Here is a bit of fluff for the morning.... Morning Brew Breathe in the heady aroma of coffee brewing. Pour, then grasp the hot mug, warming palms to heart and peer into the dark, steaming, pool to find the entrance to the day. Slowly savor the smooth, bittersweet of the full bodied liquid, and feel the burn while it slides down the throat. Ahhh...... Good morning. . . Judi Van Gorder

Explore the Craft of Writing Poetry The Frame V. Five Line Construction The Cinquain, Quintain, and Quintet are terms which are French, Latin, and Italian for any five-line poetic thought unit or stanza. These terms are synonymous and infer that the unit is written adjacent to other stanzas. "Cinquain" is the word most commonly used. The terms can also refer to a stand-alone five line poem. However, Pentastich is technically the term reserved for a stand-alone five line poem. Five line stanzas or poems are much less popular in English poetry than the couplet, tercet, and quatrain. Asian poetry uses five line poetic units extensively. There could be some confusion when using the term cinquain since beside the generic definition, there is a popular verse form created by American poet, Adelaide Crapsey which she named simply the "Cinquain". Some call it the Crapsey Cinquain, which I use in this forum to distinguish it from all other generic cinquains. There is also a much older French form referred to simply as the "Cinquain" which was recreated and popularized by Victor Hugo in the 19th century. For clarity, I refer to it as the Traditional Cinquain in the style of Victor Hugo. I have included the various five-line stanzas in the forums for their nation of origin. Some of the more popular are: Arkaham Ballad Bob and Wheel Clogyrnach Crapsey Cinquain English Quintet Envelope Quintet Lira Limerick Madsong Stanza Quintilla Flamenca or Seguidilla Gitana Sicilian Quintet Tanka Cinquain - Traditional Waka Ya Du

Explore the Craft of Writing American Verse The Spenserian Quintilla is an American stanzaic form which was first recognized by Miller Williams in Patterns of Poetry when he notes a Spenserian variation framing The Second Best Bed by Howard Nemerov, he called it the Spenserian Quintilla. The elements of the Spenserian Quintilla are: stanzaic, written in any number of cinquains. syllabic, L1-L4 are 8 syllables each, L5 is 12 syllables. rhymed, axabb cxcdd etc x being unrhymed. The Second-Best Bed by Howard Nemerov Consider now that Troy has burned ---Priam is dead, and Hector dead, And great Aeneas long since turned Away seaward with his gods To find, found or founder, against frightful odds. And figure to yourselves the clown Who comes with educated word To illustrate in mask and gown King Priam's most illustrious son And figure forth his figure with many another one Of that most cremented time In times have been or are to be Inhearsed in military rime; And will recite of royal fates Until, infamonized among those potentates By a messenger from nearer home, His comedy is compromised And he must leave both Greece and Rome Abuilding but not half begun, To play the honest Troyan to a girl far gone. The wench lived on, if the son died--- All Denmark wounded in one bed Cried vengeance on the lusty bride, Who could not care that there would follow, After the words of Mercury, songs of Apollo. ------------ from The Collected Poems of Howard Nemerov 1977

Explore the Craft of Writing Light Verse The Rubliw is an invented form created by American poet Richard Wilbur then named and defined by Lewis Turco, author of The Book of Forms among other works. A short metric poem was sent by Wilbur to Turco containing a challenge to name the verse form framing the poem. Turco responded in kind and named the form by reversing the spelling of Wilbur's name. He also wrote humorous, didactic messages in the same form to fellow poets Dana Gioia and Sam Gwynn. The Rubliw as created would fall under the category of Light Verse. The elements of the Rubliw are: a poem in 9 lines. metric, iambic pattern, L1 monometer, L2 dimeter, L3 trimeter, L4 tetrameter, L5 pentameter, L6 tetrameter, L7 trimeter, L8 dimeter and L9 monometer. mono-rhymed. I found the following in an Essay by Lewis Turco: Dear Lew All hail to you, Old formalist, who through Your Book of Forms inform the new If you can name this bloody form, please do, before it disappears from view, For you're the one man who Might manage to. Adieu. ---Richard Wilbur Rubliw For Richard Wilbur Dear Dick, It's quite a trick To name the form poetic You sent Sam Gwynn who, in the nick Of time, included it in his panegyric Celebrating my arthritic Remove from the academic, But rubliw's a quick Kick. ---Lewis Turco RUBLIW FOR DANA GIOIA Dear Dan- a, in the main, A rubliw is a skein Of monorhymes making a chain To this point that's formally a cinquain, But then the lines, like a train Losing cars, refrain And start to wane Again. ---Lewis Turco And that's how verse forms are born!

Explore the Craft of Writing Light Verse Tuanortsa is a Palindromic poem. A palindrome reads the same from front to back as from back to front. Palindromes in a single word would be level, radar, eye, civic, rotor etc. A palindromic poem need not be quite as tricky as turning a word inside out. The lines can simply be mirrored so that the sequence reverses the order and the lines read the same from bottom to top as they do from top to bottom. This was presented to me as a poetry exercise. Why it was called Tuanortsa, astronaut spelled backward, makes no sense to me because the word it isn't a palindrome. Be that as it may, there was only one requirement of the exercise, write a 'poem' that makes sense when read, line by line, from the bottom up as well as from the top down. There should be no fewer than 6 lines but there may be more. Meter and rhyme are at the discretion of the poet. This Palindrome reverses words Love flowing freely lifting spirits conquering fears dissolving boundaries entwining souls ~ Forever ~ souls entwining boundaries dissolving fears conquering spirits lifting freely flowing love ~~ Phyllis Wheeler This one simply reverses lines deified Tucked deep within a redwood grove unseen and hidden from the road a tranquil place to heal a heart a structure built for love of art a bi-plane tail juts from the front the nose of the plane protrudes out back the entrance harbors a relic's fate a rail from a bridge, the Golden Gate a home for statues in marble and brass haven for canvas, stone, and glass a private quirky gallery a secret place that few can see a private quirky gallery haven for canvas, stone, and glass. a home for statues in marble and brass, a rail from a bridge, the Golden Gate the entrance harbors a relic's fate the nose of the plane protrudes out back a bi-plane tail juts from the front a structure built for love of art a tranquil place to heal a heart unseen and hidden from the road tucked deep within a redwood grove ~~ Judi Van Gorder If you are wondering, I have a client whose home is in a redwood forest not far from my home. He has built a private art gallery on his property. His sense of humor was designed into the building when he chopped up an old junked bi-plane and had the nose attached to the building in the back and the tail attached to the front so that it looks like the plane flew through the building and got stuck. He also procured an 8-foot long section of iron railing from the original Golden Gate Bridge when the renovation was being done on the bridge and new railing installed. The relic has become the railing of the entryway of the building. I had just been given a "tour" of this strange and wonderful building when the challenge to write a palindromic poem was presented. I couldn't resist.

Explore the Craft of Writing Light Verse In the Mad Cow, the rhyme scheme sets the tone. This pastoral verse form invented by American Sebastian "Duke" Delorange, found at Poetry Base, is a perfect candidate for "Light Verse". The elements of the Mad Cow are: is a poem in 35 lines made up of 7 cinquains? metric, alexandrine lines, iambic hexameter (6 metric feet) lines with midline caesura. rhymed, rhyme scheme ababc cdede fgfgh hijij klklm mnono eieio. (for those not familiar with the nursery rhyme, "Old Mac Donald had a farm e i e i o. And on that farm he had a cow e i e i o. With a moo moo here and a moo moo there. Here a moo, there a moo, e i e i o0" pastoral, to go along with it's name, the poem should include an idylic country setting. The Mad Calf is just a baby Mad Cow, also invented by Delorange at Poetry Base, this verse form is a simpler shorter version of its parent. The elements of the Mad Calf are: a poem in 20 lines made up of 4 cinquains. syllabic, each line 6 syllables. rhyme, rhyme scheme abcde fghij klmno eieio. which in reality would be xxxxe xxxix xxxxo eieio, x being unrhymed. pastoral.

Explore the Craft of Writing American Verse Paradelle Billy Collins, American poet and humorist inadvertently invented the satirical verse form, Paradelle in 1967 when he wrote Paradelle for Susan. The poem with footnote was written to mock amateur poets who sacrifice sense for form and targeted the Villanelle. It was meant as a parody, hence the name "Paradelle". Although it was written as a spoof some reviewers took it seriously taking the footnote at face value. They critiqued the poem as amateurish and clumsy not realizing that the poem was intentionally written to appear amateurish and clumsy and the footnote had no basis in fact. Hoax or not, the Paradelle has become a legitimate verse form that many poets have attempted since. Its word restrictions pretty much limit the poem to nonsense. The Red Hen Press even published an anthology of Paradelles in 2005. The elements of the Paradelle are: stanzaic, a poem in 4 sixains. meter and rhyme at the discretion of the poet, but the 1st 3 stanzas must be identical in form. written with repetition, L1 of each of the 1st 3 stanzas is repeated in L2 and L3 is repeated in L4. L5 and L6 are written using every word from L1-L4, no additions, no subtractions. the 4th stanza is composed of every word used in the preceding 3 stanzas with no additions, no substractions. Paradelle for Susan with footnote by Billy Collins I remember the quick, nervous bird of your love. I remember the quick, nervous bird of your love. Always perched on the thinnest, highest branch. Always perched on the thinnest, highest branch. Thinnest love, remember the quick branch. Always nervous, I perched on your highest bird the.— It is time for me to cross the mountain. It is time for me to cross the mountain. And find another shore to darken with my pain. And find another shore to darken with my pain. Another pain for me to darken the mountain. And find the time, cross my shore, to with it is to.— The weather warm, the handwriting familiar. The weather warm, the handwriting familiar. Your letter flies from my hand into the waters below. Your letter flies from my hand into the waters below. The familiar waters below my warm hand. Into handwriting your weather flies you letter the from the.— I always cross the highest letter, the thinnest bird. Below the waters of my warm familiar pain, Another hand to remember your handwriting. The weather perched for me on the shore. Quick, your nervous branch flew from love. Darken the mountain, time and find was my into it was with to to. "The paradelle is one of the more demanding French verse forms, first appearing in the langue d'oc love poetry of the eleventh century.It is a poem of four six-line stanzas in which the first and second lines, as well as the third and fourth lines of the first three stanzas, must be identical. The fifth and sixth lines, which traditionally resolve these stanzas, must use all the words from the preceding lines and only those words. Similarly, the final stanza must use every word from all the preceding stanzas and only these words" Paradelle For Geoff by Zoe Fitzgerald What could possibly change the way you feel? What could possibly change the way you feel? I detest the moments when we are apart. I detest the moments when we are apart. We could feel the moments when change are possibly What I detest? The way you apart.-- The shallow graves of our crowded past The shallow graves of our crowded past Filled to overflowing with regrets we buried Filled to overflowing with regrets we buried Our crowded past with overflowing regrets To the graves we buried, filled of the shallow. I still feel your breath on my neck warm I still feel your breath on my neck warm Life continue as long as that is true. Life continue as long as that is true. As long as life is true your warm breath Continue on my neck I still feel that.-- We are the shallow life I detest. The moments Change with your overflowing graves, buried With regrets on my breath, when apart. We, filled. To what way could our crowded, Warm, possibly long past still continue as true? That is of the you I still feel. Feel?

Explore the Craft of Writing Poetry Light Verse, Vers de Societe, Gentle Verse, Occasional Verse or Social Verse are all names for any poetry written with spontaneity and humor. Wit, rhythm and rhyme are standard components but the form and structure of the poem are at the poet's discretion. Often the poems are very short but not always. Austin Dobson, master of light verse, suggests: Never be vulgar. Avoid slang and puns. Avoid inversions. Be sparing of long words. Be colloquial but not commonplace. Choose the lightest and brightest of measures. Let the rhymes be frequent but not forced. Let them be rigorously exact to the ear. Be as witty as you like. Be serious by accident. Be pathetic with the greatest discretion. Never ask if the writer of these rules has observed them himself." Her Letter by Francis Bret Harte (1836-1902) I'm sitting alone by the fire, Dressed just as I came from the dance, In a robe even you would admire, --- It cost a cool thousand in France; I'm bediamonded out of all reason, My hair is done up in a cue: In short, sir, "the belle of the season" Is wasting an hour on you. A dozen engagements I've broken; I left in the midst of a set; Likewise a proposal, half spoken, That waits --- on the stairs --- for me yet. They say he'll be rich --- when he grows up, --- And then he adores me indeed. And you, sir, are turning your nose up, Three thousand miles off, as you read. "And how do I like my position?" "And what do I think of New York?" "And now, in my higher ambition, With whom do I waltz, flirt, or talk?" "And isn't it nice to have riches, And diamonds and silks, and all that?" "And aren't it a change to the ditches And tunnels of Poverty Flat?" Well yes, --- if you saw us out driving Each day in the park, four-in-hand; If you saw poor dear mamma contriving To look supernaturally grand, --- If you saw papa's picture, as taken By Brady, and tinted at that, --- You'd never suspect he sold bacon And flour at Poverty Flat. And yet, just this moment, when sitting In the glare of the grand chandelier, In the bustle and glitter befitting The "finest soiree of the year," --- In the mists of a gaze de chambéry And the hum of the smallest of talk, --- Somehow, Joe, I thought of "The Ferry," And the dance that we had on "The Fork"; Of Harrison's barn, with its muster Of flags festooned over the wall; Of the candles that shed their soft luster And tallow on head-dress and shawl; Of the steps that we took to one fiddle; Of the dress of my queer vis-à-vis; And how I once went down the middle With the man that shot Sandy McGee; Of the moon that was quietly sleeping On the hill, when the time came to go; Of the few baby peaks that were peeping From under their bed-clothes of snow; Of that ride, --- that to me was the rarest; Of --- the something you said at the gate: Ah, Joe, then I wasn't an heiress To "the best-paying lead in the state." Well, well, it's all past; yet it's funny To think, as I stood in the glare Of fashion and beauty and money, That I should be thinking, right there, Of some one who breasted highwater, And swam the North Fork, and all that, Just to dance with old Folinsbee's daughter, The Lily of Poverty Flat. But goodness! what nonsense I'm writing ( Mamma says my taste still is low, ) Instead of my triumphs reciting, I'm spooning on Joseph, --- heigh-ho! And I'm to be "finished" by travel, Whatever's the meaning of that, --- O, why did papa strike pay gravel In drifting on Poverty Flat? Good-night, --- here's the end of my paper; Good-night, --- if the longitude please, --- For maybe, while wasting my taper, Your sun's climbing over the trees. But know, if you haven't got riches, And are poor, dearest Joe, and all that, That my heart's somewhere there in the ditches, And you've struck it, --- on Poverty Flat. a la Bartholomew Griffin ABBA Verse Alphabet Poem Bagarthach Verse Blind Rhyme Clerihew Definition Poem Didactic Cinquain or Recipe Poem Double Dactyl and the Mc Whirtle Limerick and Cross Limerick Little Willies Mad Calf Mad Cow Madsong Stanza Minute Poem Occasional Verse Rhyming Recipe Rubliw Triolet Tuanortsa or Palindrome

Explore the Craft of Writing Light Verse Alphabet Poem is a poetic technique that incorporates letters of the alphabet as part of the structure of the poem. The Alphabestiary, the Abecedarius and the Iroha Mokigusari fall under this category or genre and there are at least 5 different variations on this page, each taking its own path. ABC poem, a subgenre of the Alphabet Poem is sometimes used as a word game for children in which the child is asked to think up words in alphabetical order and write a poem using those words as the first word of each line. It is an Abecedarius without the history or the spiritual character. Each line of the poem begins with a sequential letter of the alphabet. Balancing Act by Judi Van Gorder An acrobatic bird with a blue crown crossed over and down the daunting extended façade gripping the grate with half-hearted indolence. Twenty six letters, twenty six words, a-z or z-a, is a variation of the Alphabet poem using one word for every letter in the alphabet not necessarily beginning a different line for each word. A Brief Cast by Judi Van Gorder A blue crane danced energetically for glory, holding imaginary jewels, keeping lithe movements noticeably osculating, posturing quickly round submerged tule until vultures wallop xiphoid yams. Zap! Single letter selection is a variation which is focused on only one letter of the alphabet. The appearance and shape of the letter selected inspires images that the poet explores. who are you, little i by e.e. cummings (1894-1962) the letter i reminds cummings of a child's head (five or six years old) peering from so high window at the gold of november sunset and feeling: that if day has to become night this is a beautiful way Alliterated alphabet poem, this variation is written with almost every word within the line beginning with the same letter of the alphabet. Tail Wagging by Judi Van Gorder Telling two trollops to take time to testify. Unrelenting umpires usually understand Vesting vapid vulgarities Without woefully worrying wanton women . Monster by Judi Van Gorder after seeing the movie. Abused, abased, abandoned, betrayed, bested, bludgeoned, challenged child carelessly careens down destructive, declivitous direction. Endurance elicits escape, frantic for friends, fun, freedom, grants gawking gazes, gratuitous groping. Hopeless hate heralds inappropriate icons. Jockeying Johns kindles killings. Longing lands lesbian lover. Murderous muggings multiply, needs negotiated naughtily, object of obscene obscurity. Partner’s panic propagates questionable quest. Rage ratifies random rampage, suicidal survival scourges! Tempest tethered, tried, used, unfit, unremorseful; vacuous validity voids villain. Wasted woman eXecuted! yesterday, zero. . . . . Alphabet Characters, another variation in which each letter of the alphabet becomes a character and the line representing the character uses a word beginning with the letter as the subject. Similar to the Alphabestiary in which each letter of the alphabet is described as an animal. Alphabet by Edward Lear(1812-1888) A tumbled down, and hurt his Arm, against a bit of wood. B said, "My Boy, O! do not cry' it cannot do you good!" C said, "A Cup of Coffee hot can't do you any harm." D said, "A Doctor should be fetched, and he would cure the arm." E said, "An Egg beat up in milk would quickly make him well." F said, "A Fish, if broiled, might cure, if only by the smell." G said, "Green Gooseberry fool, the best of cures I hold." H said, "His Hat should be kept on, keep him from the cold." I said, "Some Ice upon his head will make him better soon." J said, "Some Jam, if spread on bread, or given in a spoon." K said, "A Kangaroo is here,---this picture let him see." L said, "A Lamp pray keep alight, to make some barley tea." M said, "A Mulberry or two might give him satisfaction." N said, "Some Nuts, if rolled about, might be a slight attraction." O said, "An Owl might make him laugh, if only it would wink." P said, "Some Poetry might be read aloud, to make him think." Q said, "A Quince I recommend,---A Quince, or else a Quail." R said, "Some Rats might make him move, if fastened by their tail." S said, "A Song should now be sung, in hopes to make him laugh!" T said, "A Turnip might avail, if sliced or cut in half." U said, "An Urn, with water hot, place underneath his chin!" V said, "I'll stand upon a chair, and play a Violin!" W said, "Some Whiskey-Whizzgigs fetch, some marbles and a ball !" X said, "Some double XX ale would be the best of all!" Y said, "Some Yeast mised up with salt would make a perfect plaster!" Z said, "Here is a box of Zinc! Get in my little master! ----- We'll shut you up! We'll nail you down! ----- We will, my little master! ----- We think we've all heard quite enough of this sad disaster!"

Explore the Craft of Writing Poetry Italian Verse Envelope Quintet (Italian) is a 5 line verse in which the center lines are enclosed by the rhyme of the outer lines. The elements of the Envelope Quintet are: stanzaic, a quintet may be a stand alone poem or can be written in any number of 5 line stanzas. meter at the discretion of the poet. rhymed abcba or aabaa or abbba , subsequent stanzas may link or continue the rhyme scheme: linked abcba cdedc or abcba deced / continued is simply abxba cdxdc etc. x being unrhymed. Out West by Judi Van Gorder Ever since seeing John Wayne on the movie screen I've had a thing for the cowboy. Like them long and lean and if shy, I don't complain. He rode up on his cutting horse. and cocked his Stetson brim down low and I played coy. For me no Jetson caught my eye, but he did, of course. I like the old time country ways riding down a dusty trail bumping knees just brings me joy it does not ever fail to spark my heart into a blaze.

Explore the Craft of Writing Light Verse Double Dactyl is nonsense verse in dactylic meter which helps the silliness along. It was created by 20th century American poet Anthony Hecht and the opening line of each poem in this verse form is often Higgledy Piggledy or a silly equivalent. The elements of the Double Dactyl are: stanzaic, framed in 2 quatrains. metered, L1-L3 written in dactylic dimeter (Suu/Suu), L4 is a trochee followed by an iamb. (Su/uS) rhymed xxxa xxxa x being unrhymed. composed with L1 is the words, Higgledy Piggledy (or silly metric equivalent) and L2 is a name, from there on you are on your own. (at least 1 dactyl in the name should be attempted, 2 is great but not everyone has a name like Emily Dickinson. appropriate for light verse, the poem should be humorous not tumorous . Scrumptuous lumptuous by Judi Van Gorder Albertson's Groceries, beverages, pharmacy steak and prime rib, Munchable, lunchable always fresh vegetables, pineapple, passion fruit, must wear a bib! Some examples can be found at Everything 2 A Mc Whirtle is a Double Dactyl without the words Higgledy Piggledy. It is also allows a looser frame. This verse form is a 20th century American creation by Bruce Newling. The elements of the Mc Whirtle are: stanzaic, written in 2 quatrains but if an extra line slips in who cares. metric, L1-L3 are dactylic dimeter (Suu/Suu), most of the time. Usually L4 is a trochee followed by an iamb (Su/uS) but not always. An extra unstressed syllable is often added to the beginning of the first line of each stanza. rhymed, xxxa xxxa, x being unrhymed or additional rhyme may be added at the poet's discretion. written with a name in L1. (and if it doesn't fit the double dactyl meter, so be it.) appropriate for light verse.

Explore the Craft of Writing Light Verse A Rhyming Recipe, is exactly what the name implies, a culinary recipe in rhymed verse. This verse form was common in the 19th and 20th centuries and used as an easy way to remember recipes. It was also used in greeting cards or gift cards as a poetic way to share a recipe. Although this verse is sometimes referred to as a Recipe Poem, it is not the same form as the Recipe Poem which is a classroom exercise in using the parts of speech. The elements of the Rhyming Recipe are: written in any verse form at the discretion of the poet. rhymed, usually in rhyming couplets but the poet can develop any rhyme scheme. describes the steps in preparing a culinary dish. Note: Although this is called a Rhyming Recipe, there are Recipe poems written in other verse forms that do not require rhyme. The only constant is that you share a culinary recipe in verse. Heavenly Hamburger by Judi Van Gorder Place one pound lean ground meat with diced whole onion on medium heat. Sauté these lightly in a tall pan next add diced tomatoes from large can. Add canned corn or lima beans, uncooked egg noodles by all means. For 15 minutes cover pot to stew, so not to stick, stir the brew. Pepper and salt to taste, this is a dish that won't go to waste. Last, melt in shredded cheddar cheese. This hearty meal is sure to please. Salad Dressing by Sydney Smith

Explore the Craft of Writing Light Verse A Definition Poem is used in classrooms and workshops as a creative writing exercise. It begins with the statement "A (noun) is ", followed by descriptions of the noun in metaphor or imagery. The frame is at the discretion of the poet although it is usually written in free verse. Tome by Judi Van Gorder Poetry is words in a line time in black on white, plum blossoms in winter snowflakes in July tears on a page magic It's In the Refrigerator by Judi Van Gorder NBA basketball is an athlete's ballet. Graceful giants twist and leap to the thrum of We will, We will, Rock You!. It is driving to the hole, weaving through tall trees at full speed for the layup or roundball rodeo, a sphere arcs from half court to swish through an 18-inch ring 10 feet off the ground. It is D-E-F-E-N-S-E, take the charge, protect the paint, hand in the face pick, block, steal, big bodies bar the way. A lifetime in 24 seconds. Score or hit the rim, rebound or turn the ball over all in just about the same time it takes to read these words. NBA basketball is a whole list of Chickisms*. "nothing but net", "it's in the refrigerator, butter's gettin hard and the jello's jigglin'", "the mustard's off the hot dog", "he got caught with his hand in the cookie jar" and "Slam Dunk!" Adrenaline on a hardwood court, my winter retreat. *Chickisms, basketball terms used by most basketball commentators today, attributed to the late Chick Hearn 1916-2002, the voice of the LA Lakers.

Explore the craft of writing poetry Light Verse a la Bartholomew Griffin is what some would call a poetic device, technique or tool. This technique is sometimes used as an exercise in repetitive end words in workshops and classrooms. Named for English poet Bartholomew Griffin (died 1602) from two of his 150 sonnets which were written with the end word repeated throughout the poem. This is considered Griffin's literary contribution to technical form. The device is usually used in light verse and does not necessarily adhere to the original sonnet structure used by Griffin. The elements of the a la Bartholomew Griffin are: light verse. short. A poem written in 14 lines or less. metered or not at the discretion of the poet. written repeating the same end word throughout the poem. SONNET 23. (published 1596) by Bartholomew Griffin Fly to her heart ! Hover about her heart ! With dainty kisses mollify her heart ! Pierce with thy arrows her obdurate heart ! With sweet allurements ever move her heart ! At midday and at midnight, touch her heart ! Be lurking closely, nestle about her heart ! With power (thou art a god !) command her heart ! Kindle thy coals of love about her heart ! Yea, even into thyself, transform her heart ! Ah, she must love ! Be sure thou have her heart ! And I must die, if thou have not her heart ! Thy bed, (if thou rest well) must be her heart ! He hath the best part sure, that hath her heart, What have I not ? if I have but her heart ! Write On by Judi Van Gorder I ask, is this right? I thought the right way of it was truly right in front of me. Right next to the selected, right book of verse at the right hand of my desk. Write? That word 's not right.

Explore the Craft of Writing Light Verse Hidden Rhyme or Blind Rhyme is an exercise verse, sometimes used in poetry workshops and classrooms in which the end-word of each line rhymes internally early within the next line. The elements of the Hidden Rhyme, or Blind Rhyme are: suited to light verse. structured at the discretion of the poet. best when L1 sets a rhythm and the following lines maintain the same cadence. composed with the end-word of each line rhymed internally in the following line. often but not always, written with the first line rhyming with the last line. Battle Ground Judi Van Gorder That darn gopher has got to go! I know he is God's creation, but damnation, he is a pest at best who burrows under ground and is bound and determined to eat the sweet and tender roots of my garden. I harden my heart, I'll deliver the blow! ~~The Enemy~~

Explore the Craft of Writing Light Verse French Verse The Triolet The word Triolet didn't appear until 1486, but the verse form can be traced back 13th century France. It is a member of the Rondeau family as distinguished by the rentrement. (the use of the first line or phrase of the line as a refrain.) The Triolet fell in and out of favor with French poets until the 19th century when it became part of the promotion of Romance Fixed Forms by Theodore de Banville. He promoted the form as playful or satirical. One challenge of the form is in managing the intricate repetition of lines so that it seems natural. The repeated line may vary in meaning to shift the emphasis of the poem. "The fifth and sixth lines both support the refrain and resist it. The support coming from re-establishing some formal stability after the irregularities of the third and fourth lines; and resist it by allowing a temporary release from its apparent stranglehold, usually accompanied by an expansion of the subject matter." The New Princeton Encyclopedia of Poetry and Poetics. The elements of the Triolet are: an octa-stich, a poem in 8 lines. in English, most often written with variable line length and meter at the discretion of the poet. Originally in French, the lines were octasyllabic which would create an 8 by 8 effect. composed with a refrain created when L1 is repeated as L4 and L7. There is also repetition of L2 in L8 . rhymed, with only 2 rhymes with the rhyme scheme ABaAabAB. most often playful or satirical, appropriate for light verse or occasional verse. Easy is the triolet, If you really learn to make it! Once a neat refrain you get, Easy is the triolet. As you see! I pay my debt With another rhyme. Deuce take it, Easy is the triolet, If you really learn to make it! --- Ernest Henley; British Poet (1849-1903) Cat Tale by Judi Van Gorder The kitty flips her fluffy tail displaying inborn-regal grace, her half closed eyes create a veil. The princess flips her fluffy tail, aloof and pampered tips the scale. With feigned disinterest on her face, the kitty flips her fluffy tail, she moves with orchestrated grace.

Explore the Craft of Writing Light Verse Madsong Stanza is a stanzaic form one could have some fun with. It is lyrical poetry written by a madman or a fool or at least a poet in the mood. It is said to be a descendant of the Middle English, 13th century, anonymous, Cuckoo Song, which is the oldest song found in print. However, I am unsure why "they" say that, because the version of the Cuckoo Song I was able to find does not carry the same rhythm or rhyme scheme that is attributed to the Madsong Stanza. Maybe that is part of the madness. Traditionally the Madsong Stanza is written: stanzaic, written in any number of cinquains. accentual, folk meter. L1, L2 and L5 carry 3 stresses, often ending in an unstressed syllable and L3, L4 carry 2 stresses. The rhythm is similar to the Limerick but with fewer unstressed syllables. rhymed, rhyme scheme xabba xcddc etc, x being unrhymed. Near rhyme is OK and alliteration and consonance encouraged throughout. The Cuckoo Song by anonymous 13th century Sumer is ycomen in, Loude sing cuckoo! Groweth seed and bloweth meed. And springth the wode now. Sing cuckoo! Ewe bleteth after lamb, Loweth after calve cow, Bullock sterteth, bucke, verteth, Merye sing, cuckoo! Cuckou, cuckoo Wel singest thou cuckoo; Ne swik thou never now! Silly Rabbit by Judi Van Gorder Today I stroked a hare and felt his furry coat so silky soft and then he coughed and ran off with a goat. I know I saw a toad he hopped into my bed with slimey skin he jumped right in and made me bump my head. I smelled a cow just now. How did she get in here? with cloven hooves and bellowed moo's she stopped by for a beer. I think I heard that rabbit, his loppy ears so long, with twitching nose and wiggle toes and singing a silly song. I made a savory stew though won't make it a habit with lots of spice it turned out nice I ate that silly rabbit.