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Blessed Love Poems has published three of my love poems, “Ode for Valentine Day”, “A Million Way to Say I Love You” Here are my latest love poems plus some earlier poems that have been published, including “Chains that Bind Us” and the “Story of How We Met” were published earlier. Index I Still Want You Ode to Love on Valentine’s Day A Million Ways to Say I Love You Sam and Maria’s First Kiss Love Hexastich Love Sestet Dream Love Duet Dream Love Sonnet Love Egg Time walking towards Enlightenment in the Woods the Angel’s Wedding Autumn Dreams the Love of My Life Haunted My Dreams Love Poetry contest She was everything I could ever dream Meeting You Tricubal Love Poem Love Valentine My love came to me every morning 45 years of love when she came to life You Are the Conductor of My Life She Came to me in Dream My Love My Life I Only Live in the Light Love Valentine My love came to me every morning when she came to life Letters to my self You Are the Conductor of My Life You Are the Conductor of Life She Came to me in Dream My Love My Life the flower of love I will Love you until the end of time Love Cherita -I Married the Girl of My Dreams Morning Delight Best Love Cinquain Love at First Sight True Dreams Truth Love at First Sight Love First Love Time First Kiss Kissing Angela in the Bar Angela Cherita I will love you Angela Haiku 63 Years Young with You I am 63 years young 63 Years around the sun Another Love Cinquain Haiku Thinking of You Every Day I Wake Up Met My Fate Impossible Dreams 2 Impossible dreams Life is but a Dream Married the Girl of My Dreams Skinny Valentines Faces Shape of Sex GLOW Angela (Acrostic poem ) Angela My Soul Mate On Top of the World there is nothing more to be said A Message for You Love Endures Success Spring Doositsu Love Triclinia Angela Fills Me with Red Passion angela Thanks Haiku Where Do I and You Begin Lost and Found The Story of How We Met Chains That Bind Us A Million Ways to Say I Love You a million ways to say I love you by jake cosmos aller They say There are a million ways To say I love you In this day and age I could only find In my computer’s brain The words to say I love you In 53 languages of the 10,000 languages Spoken on this planet Someday I may be able To say the simple words I love you In all know languages This will have to suffice for a start So I will say it Loud, and clear Just so you understand: I love you (English) Mein tumse pyar karta hoon (Hindi) Tu Tane prem karoo chu (Gujarati) Ame tomake bhalo bashe (Bengali) Me tula premkarto (Marati) Hum apse mohabbat karte hain (Urdu) Mein thoda prem karanga (Punjabi) Man Dooset Daram (Persian) Ana Ahabik Yanooni (Arabic) Havala (Hebrew) Yongchon(Chinese) Aloha (Hawaian) Cinta(Indonesian) Dangshinun sarang hayo (Korean) Ajo (Japanese) Kasih (Malay) Phom tirak khun krap (Thai) Akoay Paginghe ikou (Tagalog) Toi yeu ong(Vietnamese) Renmen (Creole) Jesuis L’amour voies(French) Liefdle (Flemish) Estoy amor tu (Spanish) Yosono amore tu (Italian) Estou o amore tu (Portugese) Dashuri (Albanian) Maiteizam (Basque) OBHYAM (Bulgarian) Ljubav (Croatian) Laska (Czech) Jeger en kaerlighed du (Danish) Ikben houden van jig (Dutch) Gra (Gaelic) Ich bin lieben tu (German) Agape/eros (Greek) Ami (Esperanto) Armastama (Estonian) Rakam (Finish) Envagyok szeretet te (Hungarian) Elska (Icelandic) Ejekirin (Kurdish) Milestiba (Latvian) Meile (Lithuanian) Eu dragoste tu (Romanian) JHOBOEL Lubush (Russian) Elske (Norweigan) Easka (Slovak) JBYBAB (Serbian) Jagdan karlek du (Swedish) KOYATH (Ukraine) Benin sevi sen (Turkish) Ahava (Yiddish) Ngingu u thando ungu (Zulu) I Still Want You http://www.blessedwithlove.com/poem/i-want-you-right-now Read more: http://www.blessedwithlove.com/poem/i-want-you-right-now#ixzz6EMQoMfWI I still want you More than anything else in life I want you I want you next to me I want you every moment Of every minute Of every day I need you in my life I need your wisdom I need your kindness I need your beauty I need your special wit And I need your ability To deal with this cruel world I need you to save me From the demons That haunt my Soul For you are my soul mate The only person Whoever completed me And made life worth living ode to love on Valentine’s day http://www.blessedwithlove.com/poem/valentine-day-ode Ever since I met you, my dear My life has not been the same Before I found you I was lost, sad and lonely Going nowhere as fast as possible I was stuck Did not know what direction to pursue At the intersection, watching life go by I was lost, lonely and full of despair Then one day I saw you The girl of my dream Standing there on the side of the road I was filled with terror Could not speak What if you refused to see me What if you denied my protestations of love What if you walked away Never to be seen again I knew I had to do something I had to do it then and there And then you came up to me… Your voice The voice of an Angel Sweat, full of light Fun and entire sunshine Ever since the day I met you Whenever I feel down and depressed I look at your picture And sunshine fills my heart And I am confident, happy and ready To face all of life’s travails As long as I have your love And your support I can overcome all obstacles And face all dangers Together we can do most anything WithoutyouI will be lost In the swamp of despair So my dear Please stay with me Forever to the end of time Let us journey forward Never looking back My love, my life The sun in the sky The moon that lights my dreams at night The stars that beacon far away Thanks to the Gods above For bringing you into my life And I promise I will love you Forever and a day Just to see your face Is heaven itself Just to hear your voice Is all I ever need My love, my soul mate Hurry back to me We have so much loving to do So much living to do So much to do together Walking confidently Boldly into the future Without you All is nothing But dust With you Everything is possible My love Until I see you again A thousand kisses And a million thoughts of love That will have to suffice Until we are reunited My love, my darling, My life and dreams Hurry back to rescue me From the despair and darkness All around me Until then I salute you Oh Queen of my Heart General of Love Captain of my Soul http://www.blessedwithlove.com/poem/valentine-day-ode

A Gift From Mama 🌼🌼🌼She didn't want to goto Nonnie's house to recoup,it was musty, old,and Nonnie would fuss,but she didn't wantto hurt her feelings either.We laughed as we secretlyplanned for meto come down and carefor her in her home.We had it all plotted out.What she would say when released,me arranging time off work.We got silly schemingour skulduggery, giggling away.Then she reached overand touched my armand said,"loving is a requirementof motherhood, but I wantyou to know, I am also proud of you,and I really like the womanyou've become."Shortly after, it was timefor me to leave.I never saw her again.She died the next dayin the musty spare bedroom at Nonnie's.She was released a day early,they settled her into the creekyold bed and an hour latershe took a deep breath and was gone. ~~Judi Van Gorder

Orienteering I broke ground mapping out your body - your hair was a violet waterfall splashing rhapsodies onto paper. Your tattoos were scattered streams. I marked neon orange cairns for your fingernails, nestling them together so they held my hand. Flowers filled up empty spaces, replacing the bouquet received by the other you. When I penciled in our beach, sanderlings dotting drumlins, I lightly scented the paper with ocean air and your perfume to be tucked into an envelope, sealed, and dropped into a canyon - that spot on my cheek where your lips left this scar. I added the legend where we both face north and our bodies grow moss and the sunlight of your eyes gets lost among the shadows.

"Happy Home" I was surrounded by people who didn't respect me, so I upped and I left/ And began to focus on self improvement, to try regain my self respect I'd neglected what were my own needs, losing the essence of who I was/ I had become needy and self loathing, cause I was lonely and I was lost I had to look past all the hate that I felt, & the hurt held in my heart/ For me to ever see a brighter day, I had to step away from the dark And walk down a path I was unsure of, knowing I had to walk it alone/ Yet I'm so proud that I did, cause now I get to walk into a happy home Looking back on my unhappy home, I know in my heart I have come far/ The endless poems, the nights alone, drunk & stoned with a broken heart It used to start and never stop, but now I stop it whenever it starts/ And takes it's toll, I take control, saving my soul before it's torn in half I can now laugh & I can smile, knowing it didn't kill me, it made me strong/ Though painful like losing my child, the pain that I felt was never as long For way too long, I dwelled on the wrongs, now I belong & I have a purpose/ So no longer do I feel like I'm nobody, pathetically empty & feeling worthless. Copyright 2014 The Elusive Mr Dunne (All rights reserved)

"Narcissistic Love"They tend to be hyper sexual, always looking someone new to seduce/So they will abuse you, run to another, and try hide the awful truthEven with Internet and phone evidence, they'll just get angry and lie/And if confronted it'll all be your fault, for the problems in their mindThey'll cry and declare their love, when there is no love, only contempt/Then look into your eyes and tell you lies, on how their night was spentThey'll give non-friends their respect, and show you the ultimate disdainHumiliation, betrayal and stress, is just part of this traumatic gameYou become another cog on the wheel, then they move on very quickly/After they have stripped you of all pride, your honour and self dignityThey will leave you feeling worthless, and place the blame at your door/Then deceive you and make you believe, you didn't see, what you saw/Underneath the seduction and charm, lie skilled masters of deception/Who possess counterfeit hearts, and crave only promiscuous attentionThe roller coaster cruelty suffered, is genetically passed on to their kids/Living life like bottomless pits of emptiness, such a nasty, twisted illness.Copyright 2014 The Elusive Mr Dunne (All rights reserved) https://allpoetry.com/poem/15383555-Narcissistic-Love-by-Mr-dunne-poetry

Love Jones Revised when I first saw you in September a date that I will always remember I knew then on that date I had truly met my fate. for I knew I had fallen under your spell you had cast a mad love spell on me your mojo was working overtime on me and I would be forever your love slave. for I had to have you had to make you mine for you were everything I longed for everything I was dreaming of you were my everything. Chorus I have the love Jones baby And I got it bad I have the love Jones, baby Can’t you see just what you to me? Love Jones baby, Love Jones for you. when you walked off that bus you entered my life and soon became my wife and everything changed. from that moment on I was you and you were me It was 39 years since you walked Into my life tearing it upside down. and for 39 years together every single day, every hour, every minute every single second whenever I look at you I fell madly in love again and again and again. just the way it is between you and me for you are my love angel sent to rescue me. Chorus I have the love Jones baby And I got it bad I have the love Jones, baby Can’t you see just what you to me? Love Jones baby, Love Jones for you. when I first saw you there your cosmic love vibrations sent me flying to the moon to Jupiter and beyond. flying on the back of your love returning me once more to your waiting embrace. your love came me such a thrill the thrill has never ended like a fine bottle of wine it gets better and better. I can no longer imagine A life without you by my side And if you go before I do I will surely soon follow you. When we met that cosmic date I knew that I had met my soul mate And soon we would be together Until the end of time. Chorus I have the love Jones baby And I got it bad I have the love Jones, baby Can’t you see just what you to me? Love Jones baby, Love Jones for you. you were my love drug I did not need any other With your love by my side I did not need alcohol I did not need acid I did not need booze I do not need Cialis I did not need cocaine I did not need heroin I did not need magic mushrooms I did not need speed I did not need Viagra for you were all that I ever needed you were indeed my love drug Chorus I have the love Jones baby And I got it bad I have the love Jones, baby Can’t you see just what you to me? Love Jones baby, Love Jones for you.

Love Drug when I first saw you in September a date that I will always remember I knew then on that date I had truly met my fate. for I knew I had fallen under your spell you had cast a mad love spell on me your mojo was working overtime on me and I would be forever your love slave. for I had to have you had to make you mine for you were everything I longed for everything I was dreaming of you were my everything. Chorus You were my love bug you were my love connection you were my love drug you were my everything. my foolish love bugs. when you walked off that bus you entered my life and soon became my wife and everything changed. from that moment on I was you and you were me just the way it should be, It was 39 years since you walked Into my life, turning it inside out tearing it upside down. and for 39 years together every single day, every hour, every minute every single second whenever I look at you I fell madly in love again and again and again. just the way it is between you and me for you are my love angel sent to rescue me. Chorus You were my love bug you were my love connection you were my love drug you were my everything. my foolish love connection, when I first saw you there your cosmic love vibrations sent me flying to the moon to Jupiter and beyond. flying on the back of your love returning me once more to your waiting embrace. your love came me such a thrill the thrill has never ended like a fine bottle of wine it gets better and better. I can no longer imagine A life without you by my side And if you go before I do I will surely soon follow you. When we met that cosmic date I knew that I had met my soul mate And soon we would be together Until the end of time. Chorus You were my love bug you were my love connection you were my love drug you were my everything my lovely love drugs you were my love drug I did not need any other With your love by my side I did not need alcohol I did not need acid I did not need booze I do not need Cialis I did not need cocaine I did not need heroin I did not need magic mushrooms I did not need speed I did not need Viagra for you were all that I ever needed you were indeed my love drug Chorus You were my love bug you were my love connection you were my love drug you were my everything my everything Request for collaboration This is my second attempt at writing a love song. For my musician friends out there, if you like it and would like to collaborate to turn this into a real song instant message me, and let's talk. To the rest of you, hope you enjoyed it.

Here you will find various prompts to hopefully jumpstart your poetic fingers into writing. Try for daily writing time, but even a weekly poem is better than nothing at all Setting up a regular routine for writing can result in a lot of poems written on the fly, often without fine tuning. But it also can spark the beginnings of a new poem that can be honed later. What the challenge does is, it inspires writing. Any one can jump in when and if the prompt moves them. If you are so inspired go ahead and share your prompted poem in the thread and identify which prompt you followed. Of if it turns out a winner maybe share it in Member's Poetry where it will be commented on. I will do my best to add the prompts and forms here in this thread in case someone here could benefit from a little nudge. Don't expect me to be punctual with the prompts No judges here, just nudges. ~~Tink

Silken ThreadsThe chains of love are made of golden,silken threads, fragile in infancy.They wrap around our hearts, our minds,bring clarity to nebularfocus.With tears, the fibers become swollen,they stretch and cling in intimacy.Unselfish care strengthens the linksand binds us to a singular focus. ~~Judi Van GorderBrady's Touch

[CA] I saw the fault lines in our common ground, But wavered—loath to estimate the force And timing of the tremors they foretold; Why test this fragile paradise we’d found, Perhaps provoking nature’s wildest course— Or dig for rifts when random knolls gleam gold? I never yet have walked a tract of earth Without a flaw: some harbor muck below That muddles building; some hide barren soil Plowed far too long to nurture crops of worth; And some lie cold, inhumed beneath the snow. Small faults should make no solid heart recoil, But you would probe our playground to the core— Unsettled by fears of earthquakes laid in store. Revision: S2, L3 "muddles" for "hinders" S2, L5 was "Why, then, should minor faults make us recoil?"

Explore the Craft of Writing Poetry French Verse The Rondeau is a 13th century generic term for all French fixed forms derived from dance rounds with musical accompaniment. The verse was originally sung by a leader and the chorus or refrain sung by a chorus and or the dancers. The defining feature of the Rondeau Family of Forms is the rentrement. (in French spelled rentrament) Members of the Rondeau family of forms are the Rondeau, the Rondeau Prime, Rondel, the Rondelet, the Triolet, and the Villanelle. The rentrament is the opening phrase or opening line repeated as a refrain. Theodore de Banville, 19th century French poet said of the rentrement, it is "both more and less than a line, for it plays the major role in the Rondeau's overall design. It is at once the subject and its means of expression." English poets integrate the rentrament more fully than the French who most often employ wit, treating the form as light verse. Conversely, the English attempt to make the rentrement more reflective with the metrical continuity of the other lines of the stanza. It is usually meditative, a lyrical destination, a memory. The Rondeau was narrowed to the poetic verse form we know today by the 17th century. The elements of the Rondeau are: a 15 line poem made up of a quintain, followed by a quatrain and ending in a sixain. syllabic, L9 & L15 are 4 syllables each and all other lines are 8 syllables each. In English it is usually metered, most often iambic tetrameter except the refrain which is iambic dimeter. composed with rentrement, a refrain repeated from the opening phrase of the poem. rhymed, using only 2 rhymes except for the refrain being unrhymed, rhyme scheme aabba, aabR, aabbaR (R being the refrain) a vehicle for serious verse, unlike the Triolet or Rondel which originate from the same source but tend to be lighter verse. All Men Are Free by Elliott Napier (Australian poet, 1870-1940) All men are free and equal born Before the Law!" So runs the worn And specious, lying, parrot-cry. All men are free to starve or sigh; But few to feed on Egypt's corn. There toils the sweated slave, forlorn; There weeps the babe with hunger torn; Dear God, forgive us for the lie "All men are free!" That man may laugh while this must mourn; One's heir to honor, one to scorn Were they born free? Were you? Was I? No! Not when born, but when they die And of their robes or rags are shorn, All men are free! St. Pat, a Rondeau by Judi Van Gorder 5-29-02 A gift of spring one early morn, a leggy little filly born. Adobe with a blaze of white, mane and tail of blackest night and on three legs white socks were worn. At sixteen hands she stood highborn, with quickstep gait to strut, forewarn, her carriage, speed, a true delight, a gift of spring. We rode as one, my heart was sworn; with me her faults and fears were shorn, together we were quite a sight, in pride and sorrow, I now write. Her early death, I'll ever mourn... my gift from spring. Palette by Judi Van Gorder The dark remains essential blight on canvas without depth of sight an empty plain to blind the eye with no line defined to vilify, a void to spend and fleece the light. For color's hues intrigue, ignite, expose the gravity of night and lure the mind to clarify. The dark remains. A war turns bloody-red in right or wrong. Black storms bring rain to fight the drought and when from pain we cry our joys come sweeter, multiply. The grit is here for me to write. The dark remains. Double Rondeau is simply doubling the pattern of the Rondeau. It can either be doubled in sequence (1 Rondeau following another Rondeau) or the like stanzas could be doubled and paired. The elements of the Double Rondeau are: A 30 line poem made up of a quintain, quartain, sixain, the same order repeated a second time or a 30 line poem made up of 2 quitains followed by 2 quatrains and ending with 2 sixains. metric, iambic tetrameter accept for the refrain which is iambic dimeter. All stanzas end with a rentrement. rhymed using either 2 or 4 rhymes. aabba aabR aabbaR aabba aabR aabbaR or aabba aabba aabR aabR aabbaR aabbaR or aabba ccddR aabR ccdR aabbaR ccddcR or aabba aabbR aabbaR ccddR ccdR ccddcR. Whether the poem is turned on 2 or 4 rhymes, the rentrement would remain the half line from the first line of the poem to be consistent throughout the poem especially when it is sequential (1 Rondeau pattern following another Rondeau pattern.) There could be 2 rentraments which alternate from the 1st line of each of the 1st and 2nd quintains when the like stanzas are paired. The Rondeau Prime is a short variation of the Rondeau originating in 13th century France. It allows more rhyme than the Rondeau, but incorporates its core feature, the integration of the rentrement. (opening phrase of the first line which is repeated as a refrain.) The elements of the Rondeau Prime are: in French syllabic, most often 8 syllable lines with L7 and L12 shorter, usually 4 syllable. In English tends to be iambic meter, line length is optional as long as the lines are relatively equal, with the exception of the shorter rentrement. 12 lines, made up of a septet (7 lines) followed by a cinquain (5 lines). rhymed, rhyme scheme abbccbR abbaR, R being the rentrement (the first phrase or line repeated as a refrain at the end of the stanzas.) Wind on the Terrace by Judi Van Gorder A leaf in the wind taps the pane, reminding me that you have gone. Although my busy days move on, it is small moments that I miss, a gesture, glance, a touch, a kiss. You went away before the dawn, a leaf in the wind. I watch the clouds bring in the rain, the tears that fall and splash upon the terrace of a time withdrawn, the sound repeating your refrain, a leaf in the wind. Rondeau Redoubled is not simply doubling the Rondeau. Instead of a rentrament at the end of each stanza, the rentrament appears only at the end of the poem and the 1st 4 lines of the poem become refrains sequentially placed at the end of each stanza. This apparently invented form was found in Pathways for the Poet by Viola Berg who gives Untermeyer, Pursuit pp 271-272 as a reference which I have been unable to access so far. The elements of the Rondeau Redoubled are: a poem in 25 lines, made up of 6 quatrains, the last quatrain has a tail. The rentrement, 1st phrase of the 1st line of the poem is repeated as the tail, the 25th or last line of the poem. metric, iambic pentameter. rhymed, rhyme scheme A1B1A2B2 babA1 abaB1 babA2 abaB2 babaR R being the rentrement. The 1st 4 lines of the poem become sequentially a refrain that is repeated as the last line of sequential quatrains. The rentrement or 1st phrase of the poem is repeated as the last line (25th) of the poem. The Rondel, Old French meaning small circle, is a 14th century verse form. It is a member of the Rondeau family of forms but differs from the Rondeau in the number of lines and the pattern of rhyme. The Rondel came to England in the 16th century. Sources indicate the Rondel is better suited to French than English yet Dobson's Wanderer is a fluid lyrical example of why the Rondel is adaptable to English. A variation of the Rondel is the Rondel Prime or French Sonnet. The elements of the Rondel are: a 13 line poem, made up of 2 quatrains followed by a quintain. isosyllabic, often written in 8 syllable lines, but the lines can be any number of syllables as long the measure is consistent throughout the poem. rhymed ABba abAB abbaA, A and B being refrains. In French one rhyme is feminine and one is masculine, it doesn't matter whether the feminine rhyme is the a or the b rhyme. composed with 2 rentrements. L1 is repeated in L7 and L13, L2 is repeated in L8. THE WANDERER by Henry Austin Dobson Falling for the French by Judi Van Gorder Love comes back to his vacant dwelling, - The old, old Love that we knew of yore! We see him stand by the open door, With his great eyes sad, and his bosom swelling. He makes as though in our arms repelling, He fain would lie as he lay before; - Love comes back to his vacant dwelling, - The old, old Love that we knew of yore! Ah, who shall keep us from over-spelling That sweet forgotten, forbidden lore! E'en as we doubt in our hearts once more, With a rush of tears to our eyelids welling. Love comes back to his vacant dwelling The Short Rondel might better be described as a short Rondeau than Rondel because this form uses the rentrement or first phrase of L1 as a refrain rather than the full line as in the Rondel. The elements of the Short Rondel are: a poem in 11 lines made up of sixain followed by a quintain. isosyllabic, often 8 syllalbe lines, except for L6 & L11 which are the shorter first phrase of L1. rhymed, rhyme scheme aabbcC ddeeC. r r r C x x x a x x x x x x x a x x x x x x x b x x x x x x x b r r r C x x x x x x x d x x x x x x x d x x x x x x x e x x x x x x x e r r r C The Rondelet is a relatively short poem using the entire opening line as its refrain. It is French in origin, another member of the 13th century Rondeau Family of Forms which is recognized by its use of the rentrement. The elements of the Rondelet are: a heptastich, a poem in 7 lines. in French syllabic. Syllable count per line are 4-8-4-8-8-8-4 In English tends to be iambic in pattern. composed with a rentrement, in the Rondelet the entire L1 is repeated as refrain in L3 and L7. rhymed. Rhyme scheme interlocks between the refrain AbAabbA. Two Deputies by Judi Van Gorder August's end by Barbara Hartman 8-19-05 So much to do before green hummingbirds depart so much to do before our final rendezvous when frost adorns gray spider's art and winter winds tear vines apart so much to do . . . Loneliness by Robert Murtaugh,(Fader) 8-14-05 In loneliness I sit and wait for someone new In loneliness My heart is filled with such duress But as I sit here feeling blue I wait to meet someone like you In loneliness. The Rondine is a little seen shortened version of the Rondeau dating back to at least the 16th century. The elements of the Rondine are: a poem in 12 lines made up of a quatrain, a tercet and ending in a quintet. syllabic 8 syllables per line accept L7 and L12 which are 4 syllbles each. In English metered, most often iambic tetrameter except the refrain which is iambic dimeter. composed with a refrain repeated from the opening phrase of the poem, rentrement. rhymed, using only 2 rhymes except for the refrain being unrhymed, rhyme scheme abba,abR, abbaR (R being the refrain) Happy Mother's Day The Triolet, the name didn't appear until 1486, but the form can be traced back 13th century France. It is a member of the Rondeau family as distinguished by the rentrement.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 rentrement, 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. Triolet by Ernest Henley; British Poet (1849-1903) 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! 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. Villanelle (a rustic, peasant song or dance) is an intricate French verse that is distinguished by its pastoral subject matter and alternating refrain. A member of the Rondeau family, it expands on the Rondeau's signature, "rentrement", a repetition of the 1st line or phrase as a refrain, by also including the 3rd line as an alternating refrain. The Villanelle originated in the 15th century becoming standardized by the 17th century. The French use the form as a stanzaic form allowing as many tercets as one chooses. The English version is a fixed form limiting the number of lines to 19. Because of the repetition of 2 lines, the form does not allow the poet to tell a story. There can be no narrative and no way to create lineal progression, the poem goes round and round. The form is described by French poet, T. de Danville as "a plait of gold and silver threads into which is woven a third, rose-colored thread." The elements of the Villanelle are: metered, primarily iambic pentameter, however, trimeter and tetrameter were popular in the 19th century. in French stanzaic, written in any number of tercets and finally ending in a quatrain. in English, written in a total of 19 lines, made up of 5 tercets and ending with a quatrain. L1 and L3 of the first stanza, alternate as the refrain in the following tercets. The refrain lines may be altered a bit. composed with L1 and L3 of the first tercet repeated as the last two lines of the poem. written with only 2 end rhymes with a rhyme scheme of A¹bA², abA¹, abA², abA¹, abA², abA¹A². originally composed with a pastoral theme. Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night by Dylan Thomas 1952 Do not go gentle into that good night Old age should burn and rave at close of day Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Though wise men at their end know dark I s right, Because their words had forked no lightning they Do not go gentle into that good night Good men the last wave by crying how bright There frail deeds might have danced in a green bay; Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight, And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way Do not go gentle into that good night. Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. And you, my father, there on the sad height, Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray, Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Villanelle for Scottie by Judi Van Gorder My rascal son, you are a stand up man, much more than I could wish or hope you'd be and I will always be your biggest fan. You went away to school and said, I can! I cherish well the boy that I still see, my child, you grew into a searching man. With badge and gun your life's career began, you've served with valor and integrity, I burst with pride, I am your biggest fan. You fell in love and wed, I say, that's grand! She more than makes you smile it's plain to me, she is your perfect fit, you'll be her man. With joy, a noisy family was in the plan, three girls and now a boy have come to be, you made me Grandma , I'm a grateful fan. My daring son, I thrill at your success, I know you couldn't be more loved or blessed and now my boy, you've become an envied man, with love and pride. I am your biggest fan.

Explore the Craft of Writing Poetry French Verse The Pantoum is a "slinky going down a flight of stairs--it is smooth, fluid, and repetitious....Its repetition and circular quality give it a mystical chant-like feeling. Its cut-up lines break down linear thought. The form is both ancient and fresh." Miriam Sagan, The Unbroken Line. I just couldn't come up with a better way to say that. This stanzaic form was introduced by Ernest Fouinet and made popular by Victor Hugo in 19th century France as a variation of the Malaysian Pantun, a folk fishing song. The rhythm of the verse attempted to emulate the rhythm of the oars of the fishermen rowing out in unison. The Pantoum imitates its Malaysian inspiration only in the use of the quatrain and rhyme scheme. From that point it is more similar to the French Rondeau and/or the Villanelle than the Southeast Asian form. Because of the repetition of lines the Pantoum requires that the lines are complete. The poem moves back and forth which is more conducive to lyrical verse than a narrative. The repetitive pattern of lines is the defining feature of the form. The elements of the Pantoum are: accentual syllabic verse, most commonly iambic tetrameter or iambic pentameter, but the number of metric feet is unimportant as long as the lines are all the same length. stanzaic, written in any number of quatrains. repetitious. All lines of the poem will be repeated once. L2 and L4 of each stanza is repeated as L1 and L3 of the succeeding stanza. L1 and L3 of the 1st stanza is repeated in reverse as L2 and L4 of the last stanza ending the poem on the same line as it began. (It is permissible, but less common, to use the L1 and L3 of the 1st quatrain in the same order as originally written to end the poem with L3 of the 1st quatrain.) usually rhymed, the Pantoum employs alternate rhyme with a rhyme scheme of A¹ B¹A²B² B¹C1B²C² C¹D¹C²D² D¹E¹D²E² . . . . . and so on until the last quatrain H¹A²H²A¹. flexible, a variation on the Pantoum is to substitute a rhyming couplet of L1 and L3 from the 1st quatrain to end the poem instead of ending in a quatrain. In the Sultan's Garden by Clinton Scollard (1860-1932) She opened the portal of the palace, she stole into the garden's gloom; From every spotless snowy chalice The lilies breathed a sweet perfume. She stole into the garden's gloom, She thought that no one would discover; The lilies breathed a sweet perfume, She swiftly ran to meet her lover. She thought that no one would discover, But footsteps followed ever near; She swiftly ran to meet her lover Beside the fountain crystal clear. But footsteps followed ever near; Ah, who is that she sees before her Beside the fountain crystal clear? 'Tis not her hazel-eyed adorer. Ah, who is that she sees before her, His hand upon his scimitar? 'Tis not her hazel-eyed adorer, It is her lord of Candahar! His hand upon his scimitar, Alas, what brought such dread disaster! It is her lord of Candahar, The fierce Sultan, her lord and master. Alas, what brought such dread disaster! "Your pretty lover's dead!" he cries The fierce Sultan, her lord and master. "'Neath yonder tree his body lies." "Your pretty lover's dead!" he cries (A sudden, ringing voice behind him); "'Neath yonder tree his body lies" "Die, lying dog! go thou and find him!" A sudden, ringing voice behind him, A deadly blow, a moan of hate, "Die, lying dog! go thou and find him! Come, love, our steeds are at the gate!" A deadly blow, a moan of hate, His blood ran red as wine in chalice; "Come, love, our steeds are at the gate!" She oped the portal of the palace. The Wanderer's Return by Judi Van Gorder With song and adventure from far away, all our years you have wandered about, "How could you let him go?" they say, "for jobs and dreams and another route." All our years you have wandered about, when foreign shores sing to your heart, in jobs and dreams and another route, those distant lands can't keep us apart. When foreign shores sing to your heart, your spirit is the wind, wild and free. those distant lands can't keep us apart, I'm rooted and strong like our redwood tree. Your spirit is the wind, wild and free, yet in spring you travel home to me, I'm rooted and strong like our redwood tree where love is renewed, it's once again we, It's in spring you travel home to me, "how could you let him go?" they say, when love is renewed, it's once again we with song and adventure from far away. Aloha, Hello-Goodbye by Judi Van Gorder Seamrog by Judi Van Gorder Today 's a day for wearing green, St. Paddy, himself, would smile, agree. The shamrock 's worn, a token seen to teach about the Holy Three. St. Paddy, himself, would smile, agree, a slave with hope he grasped a star, to teach about the Holy Three, with faith his mission traveled far. A slave with hope he grasped a star and chased the serpents from the land, with faith his mission traveled far, in charity he took a stand. He chased the serpents from the land and now his message still is heard, in charity he took a stand, an act of love to share the Word, And now his message still is heard, the shamrock 's worn, a token seen an act of love to share the Word. Today 's, a day for wearing green. Seamrog, (Gaelic) shamrock Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Daoibh Happy St Patrick's Day

Explore the Craft of Writing Poetry Invented Forms Pathways for the Poet by Viola Berg (1977) appears to be a book for educators. Classic poetic forms as well as many invented forms that can be used as teaching tools or exercises for use in workshops or classrooms are included. Some of these invented forms I have found in use in internet poetry communities, a testament to their staying power. On this page I include the syllabic invented forms found therein which appear to be exclusive to the community of educators from whom Ms. Berg drew her support. I have yet to find these in any other source. I have included the metric invented forms on a separate page. Whether classroom exercise or sharpening your skill as a writer, some of these forms can be fun to play with. Baccresiezé is an invented verse form, apparently created as an exercise in repetition. This verse has two and a half different refrains. It is attributed to E. Ernest Murell. The elements of the Baccresiezé are: stanzaic, written in 3 quatrains. syllabic, L1,L2,L3 are 8 syllables and L4 is 4 syllables. refrained, L4 of each quatrain is a refrain and L1 of the first quatrain is repeated as L3 in the 2nd quatrain. The last 4 syllables of L1 are repeated as the last 4 syllables of L2 in the first quatrain only. rhymed, with a complicated rhyme scheme AaxB bxAB xxxB x being unrhymed. The Will by by Judi Van Gorder ---------I read of love, undying love, what does that mean, undying love? A rose withers, a blossom falls, --------------- what lives will die. Love is a will, a rush, a sigh, a touch, a cry, a hope, a rock. I read of love, undying love, --------------- what lives will die. Blush of new love we know must fade replaced in time with trust and grace. In rest, I will my love remain. -------------- What lives will die. O - Ka - Leee! by Barbara Hartman Redwing wakes me from winter dreams, he called me from a bare-boned tree while I floated in Pelé's pool ---------------------------beside the sea. Thermal springs caress cool currents where small green fish and turtles swim. Redwing wakes me from winter dreams ----------------------------beside the sea. Coconut palms and hala trees, Aloha nui, soft salt breeze. Blackbird heralds another spring ---------------------------beside the sea. The Balance attempts to create an ebb and flow rhythm. The rhythm is created by a specific syllabic designation per line as well as an intricate rhyme scheme. This verse form was created by Viola Berg. The elements of the Balance are: stanzaic, framed in 4 cinquains. The patterns of the cinquains change from stanza to stanza. syllabic, stanza 1 =10-8-6-4-2 syllables. stanza 2 =2-4-6-8-10 syllables stanza 3 =10-8-6-4-2 syllables stanza 4 = 2-4-6-8-10 syllables rhymed, rhyme scheme Abcde edcba abcde edcbA. composed with a refrain, the 1st line of the poem is repeated as the last line. Short Balance by Judi Van Gorder Centered on a page plain words resonate with sounds of fingers striking a keyboard, a mighty sword. Tapping into my muse. Good news, the verse in due time takes shape, strikes a chord without inspiration spiking. Centered on a page plain words resonate. The Bragi is said to be suited for scenic beauty and "the elfin". Created by Thelma Allinder, this verse form became popular through a 1950's publication, Scimitar and Song. The elements of the Bragi are: stanzaic, written in 2 sixains. syllabic, 6-8-10-10-8-6 10-8-6-6-8-10 syllables per line. rhymed, rhyme scheme abccba cbaabc. Persimmon by Judi Van Gorder Soggy leaves decompose on the winter walkway that ambles through the stark barren garden. One lonely Persimmon tree stands discarded against the sky, leafless array of dark limbs seem to doze. Golden orbs appear to hang unguarded, the dulcet sweet fruit on display with no one to pose a threat to dispose. Left ignored on this frosty day, bountiful harvest is unregarded. The Brevee is a terse list of related rhymes. One more stanzaic form that appears to be invented as a learning tool, it was created by Marie Adams. The elements of the Brevee are: stanzaic, written in any number of sixains. syllabic, L1 L2 L4 L5 are 2 syllables each line and L3 & L6 are 4 syllables each. rhymed, rhyme scheme aabccb ddeffe. Cold by Judi Van Gorder Little brittle fragments of ice splinter winter ski paradise. Cadence, created by Ella Cunningham, is a verse form which appears to be exercises in rhythm and possibly to show the value of often overlooked parts of speech, articles and prepositions. It is similar to the Cameo found at Poetry Base. The elements of the Cadence are: a heptastich, a poem in 7 lines. syllabic, the Cadence written with 1-2-3-4-4-8-5 syllables per line. unrhymed, but end words should be strong, no articles or prepositions. 127 Hours by Judi Van Gorder Snared, narrow precipice, time running out. Only option, amputate trapped arm, flying solo. Fortitude, freedom. The Cinquetun (spelled Cinquetin in The Study and Writing of Poetry by Wauneta Hackleman) appears to be an invented verse form that is a longer version of the Crapsey Cinquain. It kind of defeats the purpose of the compactness of the original form, but then allows for broader images and an even meter. This verse form was created by E. Ernest Murrell. The elements of the Cinquetun are: a hexastich, a poem in 6 lines. syllabic, lines of 8-6-10-6-8-2 syllables each. rhymed, rhyme scheme axbaxb, x being unrhymed. Memories by Judi Van Gorder Night fog drifts through our redwood grove, brushing each needle with soothing elixir sent from afar. Memories, where we stood heart with heart joined and chose our star. Cromorna is a verse form that has compact lines and exacting meter and rhyme developed by Viola Berg. The elements of the Cromorna are: stanzaic, written in 3 quatrains. syllabic, with 5-3-5-3 5-3-5-3 5-3-5-3 syllables per line. rhymed, rhyme scheme abab cbcb dbdb. Word of the Day by Judi Van Gorder To rhyme will be hard, a hassle, to challenge the bard who'd wrassle? The word for the day, bedazzle. Its meant in a way to frazzle, Its purpose, to daze or razzle. A trip through a maze of dazzle. (Yes wrassle is a real word, it is an alternate spelling of wrestle - to engage in the sport of wrestling.) Not much available in rhyme or even near rhyme for bedazzle and it really was the "Word of the Day" at a dictionary site. The Donna is a syllabic Limerick, without requiring the anapestic rhythm. Created by Viola Berg, the verse should be witty and fun. The elements of the Donna are: stanzaic, written in any number of quintains. syllabic, lines of 8-6-4-4-6. rhyme xabba, xcddc etc. To write with wit and abandon, one must laugh at life's tricks. They say "no pain" there'll be "no gain" laughter soothes the mix. ~~jvg Duodora is a quatorzain that doesn't claim to be a sonnet. Written in 2 septets, L1 of the first septet is repeated as L1 of the 2nd septet. The verse form was created by Dora Tompkins who was an editor of the Nutmegger, a poetry magazine published in Connecticut. 1970s. The elements of the Duodora are: a quatorzain made up of 2 septets. syllabic, 4-6-5-5-5-10-10 / 4-6-5-5-5-10-10 syllables per line. rhymed Axxxxxb Axxxxxb L1 is repeated as a refrain that begins the 2nd stanza. x is unrhymed. March 21, 2019 by Judi Van Gorder For-Get-Me-Not is a tiny verse form originated by Viola Gardner. The elements of the For-Get-Me-Not are: a small poem, a complete couplet. syllabic, 4 syllable lines. rhymed. titled. May by jvg A daisy day will lead the way. The Hautt is a verse form that pursues "wisdom and eternal truth" in honor of Christian educator Dr. Willaim D Hautt. It was created by Viola Berg.. The elements of the Hautt are: content driven. a hexastich, a poem in 6 lines. syllabic, 4-5-2-2-5-4 syllables per line. unrhymed. Breath of Hope by Judi Van Gorder The Kerf is a verse form in tercets and is attributed to Marie Adams. The elements of the Kerf are: a poem in 12 lines made up of 4 tercets. syllabic, 6-7-10 per line. rhymed, rhyme scheme abc abc dec dec. The Logolift is an invented stanzaic form that features diminishing line length. It was created by Flozari Rockwood. The elements of the Logolift are: stanzaic written in any number of sixains made up of 2 tercets each. syllabic, 8-4-2-8-4-2 8-4-2-8-4-2. rhymed, rhyme scheme aabccb ddeffe. March 5, National Pasty Day I find it odd in the US a Cornish dish "Pasty" is celebrated with a "Day". It is today. Tasty! My Mom made the best of the best here in the west, Delight! Meat, turnip and potato pie It makes me sigh, one bite! ~~Judi Van Gorder The Lyrette is a syllabic invented verse form created by Dr. Israel Newman. The elements of the Lyrette are: a heptastich, a poem in 7 lines. syllabic, 2-3-4-5-4-3-2 syllables per line. unrhymed. each line should end with strong word. Vows by Judi Van Gorder Within that moment filled with orchids and sweet Savignon we pledged our lives forever to love. Manardina is a syllabic invented verse form with only 2 rhymes created by Nel Modglin of Davenport Iowa. The form has been used as a contest form. The elements of the Manardina are: a poem in 12 lines. syllabic, L1,L6,L7,L11 &L12 are 4 syllables each, L2-L5, L8-L10 are 8 syllables each. rhymed, rhyme scheme axbbxxxbbxa. The Marianne is a verse form that is written with a combination rhyme and syllable count.It was created by Viola Berg . The lines should be centered on the page. The elements of the Marianne are: a pentastich, a poem in 5 lines. syllabic, 4-6-8-4-2 syllables per line. rhymed, axaxa x being unrhymed. titled and centered on the page. Reaching for a Star by Judi Van Gorder For all who teach, inspire students to look to the stars beyond their reach and push against the breach. Miniature is a verse form that is a kind of contradiction of syllabic and metric form. All but 2 lines, begin and end on stressed syllables which would imply catelectic trochaic meter. It also has an unusual feature of requiring the 5th syllable of the 1st line be rhymed with the 1st syllable of the 2nd line, it was created by Margaret Ball Dickson. The elements of the Miniature are: a decastich, a poem in 10 lines. syllabic, 7-5-7-5-7-6-7-6-7-7 syllables per line. All but L6 & L8 begin and end on a stressed syllable. L6 & L8 have feminine endings. rhyme x a x a x b x b c c, x being unrhymed. composed with the 5th syllable of L1, rhymed with the 1st syllable of L2 Minuette is a verse form with short lines possibly the rhythm of the lines is meant to simulate the rhythm of the musical minuette. Introduced by Viola Berg, it is similar to the Sweetbriar. The elements of the Minuette are: a poem in 12 lines made up of 2 sixains. syllabic, all lines 4 syllables long. rhymed, rhyme scheme xxaxxa xxbxxb. composed with L3,L6,L9,L12 indented. (Interesting how detailed some of the verse forms can be described, like calling for specific lines being indented.) The Octain is an invented verse form begins and ends the poem with the same word. It was created by Lillian Mathilda Svenson. The elements of the Octain are: an octastich, a poem in 8 lines. syllabic, 2-4-6-8-8-6-4-3 syllables per line. Not a typo, the last line takes 3 syllables but the last word must be the same as the first. rhymed or unrhymed. If it is rhymed the rhyme scheme is AbcdbcdA. (given the rhyme and the syllable count the first line must be a 2 syllable word.) The Octodil is an invented verse form that uses only even numbered syllable lines. It was created by Viola Berg. The elements of the Octodil are: a poem in 8 lines, an octastich. syllabic, 4-4-6-6-8-8-6-6 syllables per line. unrhymed and no feminine or falling end words. Days Like This by Judi Van Gorder I hear the howl of whipping wind hurling pellets of rain against my windowpane. Dimming the darkness, candles lit, muted shadows yawn and stretch low.. We're snuggled dry inside, me and my furry friend. The Pendulum is an invented verse form that features graduated line lengths. It was created by Etta J Murphy and was first published in Calkins, Haiku Highlights (July-August 1970). The elements of the Pendulum are: a poem in 8 lines, an octastich. syllabic, 8-6-4-2-2-4-6-8 syllables per line. rhymed, rhyme scheme aabbccdd. From Plow to Sport of Kings The Retournello is a stanzaic invented form with a refrain. It was created by Flozari Rockwood. The elements of the Retournello are: stanzaic, written in any number of quatrains. syllabic, 4-6-8-4 syllables per line. rhymed, rhyme scheme abba cddc effe etc. Leader I accept it, I will step up and lead. I've done it before, see the need. I will not quit. They trust in me to energize, inspire, cheer them on, and take them higher. Love is the key. ~~Judi Van Gorder The Scallop is an invented stanzaic form written in sixains. It was created by Marie L Blanche Adams. The elements of the Scallop are: stanzaic, written in any number of sixains. syllabic, 2-4-6-6-4-2 syllables per line. rhymed, rhyme scheme abccba deffed ghiihg etc. Peanut Butter and Jelly by Judi Van Gorder Donkeys, one brown, one gray, a painting on my cup, it always cheers me up. I hear them neigh. Wonky! The Seox (seox in Anglo Saxon means six) is a verse form written in 6 lines in keeping with its name. It was created by Ann Byrnes Smith. The elements of the Seox are: a poem in six lines, a hexastich. syllabic, 3-7-6-5-4-3 syllables per lines. unrhymed. Morning Newscast by Judi Van Gorder Mask by Judi Van Gorder The Septanelle is a verse form in 7 lines. It was created by Lyra LuVaile. The elements of the Septanelle are: a heptastich, a poem in seven lines. syllabic, 4-6-10-4-6-10-4 syllables per line. rhymed, rhyme scheme ababcca. The Sweetbriar is an invented verse form similar to the Minuette. It uses only 1 rhyme and was created by Viola Berg. The elements of the Sweetbriar are: a poem in 12 lines made up of 2 sixains. (This could easily be considered a stanzaic form, to be written in any number of sixains but it might be difficult to maintain the singular rhyme in more that 2 stanzas.) syllabic, 4-4-6-4-4-6 syllables per line. rhymed, rhyme scheme xxaxxa xxaxxa. x being unrhymed Sweetbriar A rose blossoms with velvet touch is known Eurasian bred Delicate bloom in single-ply, Sweetbriar pink and red. Fragrant buds full tilt display too wild to tame in bed. Mixed in bristles, their prickly stem a harvest lightly tread. ~~Judi Van Gorder The Termelay is similar to the Roundelay. This invented verse form was created by Viola Berg. The elements of the Termelay are: a hexastich, a poem in 6 lines. syllabic, 4-4-4-8-8-4 syllables per line. unrhymed. composed with a refrain, L3 is repeated as L6. The Troisieme is a verse form introduced by Viola Berg. The content is broken into 4 parts, an introduction in the 1st tercet, an expansion in the 2nd tercet, a parallel or contrast in the 3rd tercet and a summary or conclusion in the couplet.The structural elements of the Troisieme are: stanzaic, written in 3 tercets followed by a couplet. syllabic, 3-5-7 3-5-7 3-5-7 9-9 syllables each. unrhymed. It's Finally Here Holidays have turned the corner, the Christmas season begins. Ornaments boxed with care last year, unpacked and hung on the tree. Twinkling lights, and red bows adorn garland strung around the room. Candy canes and shaped sugar cookies fresh from the oven for you and me. ~~Judi Van Gorder The Veltanelle is a stanzaic form created by Velta Myrtle Allen Sanford. The elements of the Veltanelle are: stanzaic, written in no more than 3 sixains. syllabic, 10-6-10-6-10-10 syllalbes per line. rhymed ababcc dedeff ghghii. Note?? previously posted with incorrect rhyme scheme. I'm sorry. Verso-Rhyme is an invented verse form introduced by L. Ensley Hutton and written without punctuation except for an exclamation at the end. Therefore, I can only assume that the poem should be written on a subject the poet feels emphatically about. The elements of the Verso-Rhyme are: an octastich, a poem in 8 lines. syllabic, 6-4-6-4-6-4-6-4 syllables per line. rhyme, xaxbxaxb. x being unrhymed. usually right margined. The Violette is a stanzaic form with a rhyme scheme similar to the Zéjel without the mundanza, introduced by Viola Gardner. Line 4 carries a linking rhyme from stanza to stanza. The elements of the Violette are: stanzaic, written in any number of quatrains. syllabic, 6-6-6-4 syllables per line. rhymed, feminine rhyme used aaab cccb dddb etc b is a linking rhyme from stanza to stanza. She Passed by Judi Van Gorder He handed her the keys She handled them with ease the driving test a breeze. Never braver. Off she goes resolute Mom's anxious cries held mute her friends think it's a hoot Licensed driver. The Zanze is a verse form with variable syllabic pattern introduced by Walden Greenwell. The elements of the Zanze are: a poem in 16 lines made up of 4 quatrains. syllabic, 8-8-8-8 6-6-6-6 4-4-4-4 2-4-6-8 syllables per line. rhymed, Abab cdcd efef gagA. L1 is repeated as L16, L5 is the repetition of first 6 syllables of L1, L9 is the repetition of first 4 syllables of L1 and L13 is the repetition of the first 2 syllables of L1.

Explore the Craft of Writing Poetry Invented Forms I found a few invented forms which appear to be exclusive to The Study and Writing of Poetry; American Women Poets Discuss Their Craft, 1983. The book is a collection of essays from 50 American women poets, each essay provides insights into a multitude of topics from poetic genres, stanzaic forms, to writing techniques. This book provided some additional insights and background information on several stanzaic forms that I thought I had researched fully. I liked this book, it pays attention to the details. The Anna was invented in honor of Arkansas, poet and news columnist, Anna Nash Yarbrough by James R. Gray of California. This creator suggests the theme for this metric verse be love. The elements of the Anna are: a heptastich, a poem in 7 lines. metric, iambic pattern, L1 dimeter, L2 trimeter, L3 tetrameter, L4 pentameter, L5 tetrameter, L6 trimeter and L7 dimeter. unrhymed. Blush of Love by Judi Van Gorder In love with love we rushed to share our bodies, our dreams and souls with each other. Before our God we pledged our hearts and minds to honor til our very last breath. No clue how life in time can change the blush. The Burtonelle is a style of writing more than a form. At first glance, I thought this the same as a Cleave or Trigee but this technique produces only one poem, not three in one as those forms do. It was introduced by poet, novelist and educator, Wilma W Burton who takes credit only for labeling the technique and writing a poem a day in this style in the Bicentennial year 1976. Her discipline of writing a poem a day in a bound journal has continued well over 20 years and is an exercise she recommends for all aspiring poets. The Burtonelle is a poem written in two sections side by side with caesura in the form of a uniform space between the two columns or sides. Punctuation, caps, and meter are at the poet's discretion. The Cinquo is a half Crapsey Cinquain. The elements of the Cinquo are: a pentastich, a poem in 5 lines. syllabic, 1-2-3-4-1 syllables per line. unrhymed. Favored by jvg pear apple banana watermelon grapes The Ercil is an invented form introduced by James Gray, created in honor of Arkansas poet, Ercil Brown. This seems to me to be an exercise in meter. The elements of the Ercil are: a decastich, poem in 10 lines. metric, iambic pattern, L1 &L5 dimeter, L2,L6,L9 & L10 trimeter, L3 & L7 tetrameter and L4 & L8 pentameter. rhymed ababcdcdee. The Fantasy is a visually attractive form because of the fixed pattern of indentation. It was created by Miami poet, Irene Gramling. The tone can range from romantic to a rant. The elements of the Fantasy are a poem in 20 lines, made up of a septet, a sixain, and a septet, in that order. syllabic, all lines are 4 syllables each except L3 of each stanza. rhymed, scheme abccaba deffed gghhiii. composed with an indentation in L2-L6 and L9-L12. L2,L6,L9 & L12 indented 2 spaces, L3,L5,L10 & L12 are indented 3 spaces and L4 is indented 4 spaces. L1,L7,L8,L13-L20 are not indented. The Grayette is an invented verse form created by James R Gray of Commerce, California. The elements of the Grayette are: a poem in 12 lines. metric, iambic L1,L6,L7 and L12 are monometer, L2, L5,L8 and L11 are dimeter, L3, L4, L9 and L10 are tetrameter. rhymed, x a b a x b x c d c x d, - x being unrhymed. x x x x x a x x x x x x x b x x x x x x x a x x x x x b x x x x x c x x x x x x x d x x x x x x x c x x x x x d The Orvillette is an invented verse form created by Virginia Noble as a tribute to her son, Orville, a disabled World War II paratrooper. The elements of the Orvillette are: a verse form, written in 4 quatrains, a poem in 16 lines. metered, iambic tetrameter. composed with a refrain and a rentrament. L1 is repeated as L1 in each quatrain. The first 3 syllables of L4 are repeated as the first 3 syllables of L4 in each quatrain. rhymed, Raba Rcbc Rdbd Rebe. L3 of each stanza carries a linking rhyme between stanzas. x x x x x x x R x x x x x x x a x x x x x x x b r r r x x x x a x x x x x x x R x x x x x x x c x x x x x x x b r r r x x x x c etc. The Octo is an invented syllabic verse form introduced by James Neille Northe. The elements of the Octo are: an octastich, a poem in 8 lines. syllabic, all lines are 8 syllables each. rhymed ABCxxCBA, x being unrhymed. written with L1 repeated as L8, L2 repeated as L7 and L3 repeated as L6. The Onda Mel is an invented verse form introduced by Renelda Gibson. The elements of the Onda Mel are: an octastich, a poem in 8 lines made up of 2 quatrains. syllabic, 8-4-4-8-8-4-4-8 syllables per line. rhymed abbacddc. Politics by Judi Van Gorder Politics have never drawn me Over my head Put me to bed Always multiple sides to see But now I can't ignore the pull Fear and anger rise Daily surprise So much info, mind is full The Oriental Octet is an invented verse form that appears to emulate the syllabic pattern of the tanka and haiku. It was created by James R. Gray who requests the theme of the poem be nature. The elements of the Oriental Octet are: an octastich, a poem in 8 lines. syllabic, 5-7-5-7-7-5-7-5 syllables per line. unrhymed. The Drummer by Judi Van Gorder After the Dishes are Done by Judi Van Gorder I can hear the beat dropping from the heavy clouds fat full orbs of rain splashing on the window glass Wind chimes in its melody and whips the water's fall in rhythms only played by God I can feel the beat. The Shadorma is a simple syllabic verse form created by James Neill Northe that is most effective when written using strong words or phrases. The elements of the Shadorma are: a hexastich, a poem in 6 lines although you certainly could choose to write any number of sixains in this syllabic pattern. syllabic, 3-5-3-3-7-5 syllables per line. unrhymed. Team Depp Normally domestic abuse I'd believe her not him. Not this time, she is crazy. Un-cancel Johnny! ~~jvg 5-2-22 The Tango is an invented stanzaic form introduced by Chiquita LoJuana Gonzolas Sills. The elements of the Tango are: stanzaic, written in any number of quatrains. syllabic, 9-10-11-12 syllables per line. rhymed, xaxa xbxb etc. x being unrhymed. The Tripod is an invented verse form which has been used widely in Arkansas workshops. Created by Frances T. Brinkley who suggests the subject be relationships between men. The elements of the Tripod are: a pentastich, a poem in 5 lines but name implies the number 3 so it makes sense to me that this form should be expanded using 3 cinquains. syllabic, 3-6-9-6-3 syllables per line. unrhymed. Brothers by Judi Van Gorder Bonded by boredom punctuated with fear, born in a Humvee rattling through some Stone Age village called Amrut. Weapons aimed while scruffy children play in rubble from yesterday's air strike. Young soldiers in Kevlar watch shadows. No wheat fields or big city subways, the only thing like home is the guy next to you. Only he has your back.

Explore the Craft of Writing Poetry Invented Forms Haiku Crystalline Verse is a small poem, limited to 17 syllables, whose primary focus appears to be to match the Japanese clarity of image with the English harmony of sound. It was inspired by the Haiku and like the haiku it may be at its best when written in present tense. Any reference that can place the verse in context much like the Japanese kigo (season) or kidai (symbolic seasonal reference) is recommended. The Crystalline employs the kireji (cutting word) of the haiku. The kireji in haiku is a word that "cuts off" one view and turns the reader to a different view. In a longer Japanese poem the kireji is 2 long lines inserted midway in the poem that change the direction of the poem not only in structure but in thought. A stand alone small poem such as the Crystalline emulates the long poem's kireji couplet long line frame and it should "cut" or turn the view from one line to the next. Unlike haiku which observes the image with objectivity and attempts to keep the ego out of the verse, the Crystalline invites the poet's subjectivity and permits the poet's thought and feelings to be communicated through the verse. The verse form was created by American poet Denis Garrison and more information can be found at his site, Short Verse. The elements of the Crystalline are: a complete couplet. It can be a stand alone poem or written in any number of couplets as a longer poem. Like the Renga, a longer poem of Crystalline stanzas can be written by alternating more than one poet. syllabic, 17 syllables. A regular Crystalline is 8-9 or 9-8 syllables per line. An irregular Crystalline is 2 lines totaling 17 syllables and broken where appropriate other than the 8-9/9-8 regular form. written with the English grammatical rules of syntax, caps and punctuation. In other words no all lower case, omitted punctuation, nor incomplete sentences commonly seen in English haiku. Good grammatical English applies. at the poet's discretion, written with poetic devices such as rhyme, onomatopoeia, metaphor, allusion etc. composed with a "cut" or pivot most often between L1 and L2. untitled. The dust of summer covers the shelf where in spring you last left your ring. Judi Van Gorder Crystalline Award Winners

Sunshine for Breakfast He’d wake me by putting his sunshine face within a breath of mine and saying, ”Mom, dinner please.” he hadn’t yet mastered the word “breakfast”. His shiny face with those round brown eyes that sparkled promise will remain fresh in my mind beyond my end. It was only a few short moments before it matured into the strong face of a man fulfilling those promises. But it’s the memory of that tiny face that makes my heart leap out of my breast and twist inside out. It was from that face I discovered how steel-strong love can be. ~~Judi Van Gorder Here he is with his Dad riding color guard for the Sonoma County Sheriff's Department in the Apple Blossom Parade 1973

The Will I read of love, undying love, what does that mean, undying love? A rose withers, a blossom falls, --------------- what lives will die. Love is a will, a rush, a sigh, a touch, a cry, a hope, a rock. I read of love, undying love, --------------- what lives will die. Blush of new love we know must fade replaced in time with trust and grace. In rest, I will my love remain. -------------- What lives will die. ---------------------- --Judi Van Gorder A Baccresiezé

January 2008 Word Challenge found at another site. Use 7 to 10 of the following words (word variations allowed) in a poem of any kind: her, bare, silent, slow, suddenly, make, sky, it, this, and ..... The subject matter could be considered an Aubade Shadows (revision) As day lights the sky unwelcome patterns fall across the silent wall. Her white shoulder lies exposed by the fold of a rumpled sheet and he leans down to kiss a small freckle goodbye. Slow eyes slide open to tear at the pale of this sunrise shadow and drink the image of his locked shoulders as they pass into the day. --- Judi Van Gorder Shadows original The glow of dawn lights the sky making unwelcome patterns fall across the silent wall. Her bare shoulder, white skin, lay exposed by the fold of the rumpled sheet. Slowly he lowered his lips to kiss a small freckle goodbye. Eyes suddenly opened, pool with tears with the pale of this sunrise shadow and drink in the image of his locked shoulders as they pass into the day. --- Judi Van Gorder

Explore the Craft of Writing Greek Verse, the beginnings. The Sapphic Stanza is classic Aeolic verse and attributed to the poetess Sappho 6 BC, Greece. Plato so admired her that he spoke of her not as lyricist or poet but called her the 10th Muse. Her poems spoke of relationships and were marked by emotion. In a male dominated era she schooled and mentored women artists on the island of Lesbos and her writing has often been equated with woman-love. "Rather than addressing the gods or recounting epic narratives such as those of Homer, Sappho's verses speak from one individual to another." NPOPP. Sappho's work has often been referred to as fragments, because only two of her poems have survived in whole with the vast majority of her work surviving in fragments either from neglect, natural disasters, or possible censorship. The elements of the Sapphic Stanza are: quantitative verse, measuring long / short vowels. In English we transition to metric measure of stress / unstressed syllables which warps the rhythm a bit but brings it into context the English ear can hear. L= long s = short stanzaic, written in any number of quatrains. This evolved to a quatrain during the Renaissance period from the ancient variable 3 to 4 line stanzas. The quatrain is made up of 3 Sapphic lines followed by an Adonic line which is usually written as a parallel to L3. Sapphic line = 11 syllables, trochaic with the central foot being a dactyl Adonic line = 5 syllables, a dactyl followed by a trochee (see below for more detail on these two components) The modern Sapphic scansion should look like this (Stressed or Long = L; unstressed or short = s ) Quantitative Verse (L=long syllable * s=short syllable) Ls-Ls-Lss-Ls-Ls Ls-Ls-Lss-Ls-Ls Ls-Ls-Lss-Ls-Ls Lss-Ls with substituted spondee Ls-Ls-Lss-Ls-LL Ls-Ls-Lss-Ls-LL Ls-Ls-Lss-Ls-LL Lss-Ls originally unrhymed, in the Middle Ages the stanza acquired rhyme, rhyme scheme abab. Because of the predominant use of trochee and dactyls the rhyme will generally be feminine or a 2 syllable rhyme with the last syllable unstressed. a Sappho fragment Sweet child, with garlands be thy tresses bound, Twine marjoram with woodbine, sprat with spray; The gods love those who come with chaplets crowned, From those ungarlanded they turn away --translated by A. C. Benson (1862 – 1925) (note this translation is in rhyme, which was added in the Middle Ages, the original Greek does not appear to be rhymed) I read, in the original Greek, Sappho calls the child by name (capitalized and speaks of Charities rather than using the word "gods"). The Lamp by Sara Teasdale f I can bear your love like a lamp before me, When I go down the long steep Road of Darkness, I shall not fear the everlasting shadows, Nor cry in terror. If I can find out God, then I shall find Him; If none can find Him, then I shall sleep soundly, Knowing how well on earth your love sufficed me, A lamp in darkness. Transformation by Judi Van Gorder Passion, lust, consumed our beginnings fully. When did Eros turn without warning, changing greed to love? It happened deceptively, tricking emotions. Sculptured Heart ~~jvg Here are fragments, shards to show bits of myself. Writing, I give glimpses into my bared heart, With each poem, I place a piece on shared shelf; life as displayed art. Adjustment ~~`jvg You choose to leave our home, our love, expecting things to be the same whenever you return. Time brings change. I am still here but, I’m growing we have much to learn. Babies Born Here ~~jvg She cleans houses for cash, pays rent and feeds her children, alone. Surrounding words are strange. Home transplanted. Opportunity deferred. Sacrifice for them. Empty Excuse ~~jvg Hollowed out Easter egg, emptiness man-made, poked a hole in the end and sucked the egg dry leaving a thin shelled brightly painted charade, fragile alibi. Adonic line is most often written as a parallel to a previous line. It is the last line of the Sapphic stanza. It is composed in 5 syllables, a dactyl followed by a trochee. It can also be found as a pattern for the refrain in song to honor Adonis, from which it derived its name. "death has come near me." last line of Like the gods . . . by Sappho 4th century BC edited by Richmond Lattimore Quantitative Verse Lss-Ls Meaningless prattle. ---jvg Sapphic line -Since the Renaissance period the Sapphic line has been recognized as being a 5 foot trochaic line with the central foot being a dactyl. Prior to the Renaissance period this 11 syllable trochaic pattern was known as the "lesser" Sapphic line and the Sapphic line was a combination of the lesser Sapphic line and an adonic line. After Renaissance Sapphic line Ls-Ls-Lss-Ls-Ls : Passion, lust, consumed our beginnings fully. Prior to Renaissance Sapphic line Ls-Ls-Lss-Ls-Ls,- Lss Ls : greed to love? It happened deceptively, tricking emotions. Apparently, the technical terms of "lesser" Sapphic and Sapphic lines have been corrupted over time.} Sapphic Ode Sonnet is a contemporary invented sonnet form found at Poet's Collective. It is a hybrid sonnet form created by Jeremy Farmer as the result of a sonnet contest and a Sapphic stanza challenge running simultaneously. "Ode" is probably not the correct word to insert into the name, sonnets and odes are two different animals or genres in poetic terms. An ode is lofty praise, a sonnet is a thoughtful, lyrical reflection. The frame of the Ode is at the poet's discretion, the Sonnet is an iambic pentameter quatorzain (poem in 14 lines) with variable rhyme schemes. Sapphic meter is not iambic it is a combination of dactyl and trochee patterns. Probably the creator connected with the Adonic line in the Sapphic Stanza which is dimeter. However, that dimeter line of the Sapphic Stanza is a dactyl followed by a trochee which was not demonstrated or noted in the original invented form presentation. In other words, this verse form is misnamed. It is not an ode, nor is it Sapphic. It is a sonnet with metric variation. The elements of the Sapphic Ode Sonnet are: a quatorzain made up of 3 quatrains followed by a couplet. metric, iambic, L1-L3 of each quatrain, tetrameter, L4 of each quatrain is dimeter, the concluding couplet is tetrameter. rhymed, rhyme scheme abab cdcd efef gg. pivot at the discretion of the poet. Sapphic Ode Sonnet, an OxymoronAn ode, a tome of lofty praise,a sonnet, lyrical little songand Sapphic lines have dactyl maze,verse form, named wrong.Oh how I try to clarify the technicalities of versewith small success, but still, I try.It could be worse.Iambic beat in fourteen lineswith rhyme, we sing the sonnet form.No ode or Sapphic tones definethis frame, I scorn.To touch our readers is the goal,the name a minor rantipole. ~~Judi Van Gorder

Explore the Craft of Writing Poetry Invented Forms Haiku Haiku Wannabees When searching for traditional forms, I have run across several invented forms that attempt to emulate or replace the Haiku. Most often they miss the mark, but some are fun to play with. Cinqku is a 5 line haiku attributed to American poet Denis Garrison found at Poetry Bridge. It particularly explores the use of the line break and retains the maximum syllable count of the haiku. (Note: the haiku is a small poem of 17 syllables or less, the Cinqku is more restrictive with a strict syllable count of 17.) The Cinqku should have a turn or surprise in L4 and L5. The elements of the Cinqku are: a pentastich, a poem in 5 lines. syllabic. A strict syllable count of 2-3-4-6-2 syllables per line. composed with a turn or surprise in L4 or L5. untitled. he saw his life flash before his eyes - her smile and waiting arms took hold ---Mike Monteuil Scattered, fragmented, time spins too fast. in stillness I reclaim myself. ------ Judi Van Gorder Dixdeux, French for ten-two, is illustrated by Anthony Fusco in Caulkins' Handbook on Haiku and Other Form Poems, 1970 . . . It appears to have developed as an alternative to the Haiku. The defining feature is the syllable count. The elements of the Dixdeux are: written in any number of tercets. When written in more than one tercet, L3 becomes a refrain. syllabic, with 10-10-2 syllables per line. is unrhymed. titled, unlike the haiku. Hot Topic by Judi Van Gorder an unopened coke sits in closed up truck outside the summer temperature rises KABOOM! sticky brown liquid spatters upholstery meticulous owner finds mess inside KABOOM! The Haikuette is another seemingly, American answer to the haiku and was introduced by Louise Sipfle in the Caulkins Handbook and included in Berg's Pathways. The defining feature is the absence of verbs. The elements of the Haikuette are: a tristich, a 3 line poem. Each line must be a separate entity, yet must contribute to the whole. syllabic, 17 syllables or less. There is no specified syllable count per line. written without verbs. unrhymed. titled. You by Judi Van Gorder fresh freckled Lily sweet fragrance, pink and spicy your face in the sun The Hay(na)ku or Jánakú is an invented verse form inspired by the haiku that is measured by number of words instead of syllables. It was introduced in 2003 by Eileen Tabios, the then publisher of Meritage Press. The name Haynaku is the Tagalog equivalent of Oh My God! The elements of the Hay(na)ku are: a tristich, a poem written in 3 lines. measured by number of words, L1 is one word, L2 is two words and L3 is three words. There is no restriction on number of syllables in the words. unrhymed. variable, the line order can be reversed, or the form can be chained to create a series of Haynakus. November. . . golden leaves crunch under foot ------- jvg Fallen . . from tree, three bones broken. --------jvg Canvas. . . paint splash dribbles onto page. ------- jvg one plus two always equals three --------- --Fred Johnson The Kimo is an Israeli version of the haiku, found at Poetry Kaleidoscope. The defining feature is that there should be no movement in the imagery. The elements of the Kimo are: a tristich, a 3 line poem. syllabic 10-7-6 syllables per line. the images should be stationary unrhymed. My Dog Angel by Judi Van Gorder Coffee grounds and eggshells on kitchen floor next to overturned trash pail, Angel sleeping nearby. Lune is an "American haiku" invented by poet, Robert Kelly, a tristich in 13 syllables. Other than line and syllable count it has none of the classic requirements of the haiku. Instant Poetry Forms The elements of the Lune are: a poem in 3 lines. measured either by 5-3-5 syllables per line rhyme at the discretion of the poet. Today I cried tears of regret. I was not enough. ------ ---Judi Van Gorder Collom Lune, inspired by the Lune and invented by American poet, Jack Collom, the Collom Lune uses word count rather than syllable count and reverses the count to 3-5-3. The elements of the Collom Lune are: a poem in 3 lines. measured by 3-5-3 words per line. my messy desk stacked with books and bills poetry born here ~~jvg The Quinzaine is an internet form found at Shadow Poetry and Instant Poetry for Kids, named from the French quinze (fifteen) for the 15 syllables the poem contains. The elements of the Quinzaine are: a tristich, a 3 line poem. syllabic, 7-5-3 syllables per line. unrhymed. composed of: L1 a statement, L2 and L3 questions related to the statement. Keats by Judi Van Gorder Poet writes in present tense. When is verse in time, is now then? Tetractys is an internet form claiming to be "Britain's answer to the haiku." Ray Stebbing at Shadow Poetry. "Tetractys" is defined by its name. The name given by classical Greek mathematician, Euclid, to his contention that the number series 1,2,3,4 has mystical significance because its sum is 10. The elements of the Tetractys are: a pentastich, a complete poem in a 5 lines. syllabic, with a progressive syllable count 1-2-3-4-10 per line. sometimes written as a Double Tetractys(2 quintains), when doubled the syllabic pattern is reversed, 1-2-3-4-10-10-4-3-2-1. sometimes it is stanzaic, written in any number of quintains. when written in multiple stanzas the syllabic pattern is a Mirrored Tetractys syllables per line 1-2-3-4-10 10-4-3-2-1 1-2-3-4-10 10-4-3-2-1 etc…. unrhymed. Sleep dormant renewal. Recovery, under rated necessity of life. Judi Van Gorder The Trilinea, one more haiku copycat from Berg's Pathways for a Poet, created by Nellie Amos. It appears to me to be a simplified 15th century Italian Stornello with a gimmick. The defining feature is the word "rose" must appear somewhere in the 3 lines which seems a bit contrived to me. The elements of the Trilinea are: a tristich, a poem in 3 lines. syllabic, with syllable count per line, 4-8-4. rhymed, L1 and L3 rhyme. composed to include the word "rose". titled. tattoo by Judi Van Gorder teardrops of dew cling to a red velvet rose the touch of you Today by Judi Van Gorder I rose to see a world of possibilities beckoning me. The Triquain, found in Berg's Pathways for the Poet 1977 appears to be an attempt at combining the haiku and Crapsey cinquain. It was created by L. Stanley Cheney and referred to in both the Caulkins' Handbook and Pathways. This form comes a little closer to the purpose of haiku than some other haiku wannabees. There is another invented form also called a Triquain that appeared on the internet about 25 years later written in a syllabic heptastich. The elements of the Triquain found in Pathways are: a tristich, a poem in 3 lines. It is composed in 3 units, L1 introduces the subject, L2 expands and leads into action, L3 is the enlightenment or question. syllabic, with 2-7-7 syllable count per line. Titled, unlike the haiku. stud by Judi Van Gorder newborn leggy colt struggles to stand first of many challenges Zip is an American haiku knockoff discovered by Lawrence Eberhardt at Poet's Collective at Wikipedia. Created by John Carley this is a 15 syllable haiku i 2 lines. The elements of the zip are: a distich, a poem in 2 lines syllabic, total 15 syllables, line break at the discretion of the poet each line composed with caesura displayed as a double or triple space rather than punctuation such as comma, or ellipsis. untitled shy sun smiles this winter morning frozen stillness greets my day . . . ~ jvg