Cuaderna Via (frame way) is a strict, syllabic verse form that dominated most of the serious Spanish poetry for the 13th and 14th centuries until the 15th century when it was replaced by the Art Mayor. The Cuaderna Via was the introduction of syllabic verse in Spanish poetry. It appears to have been originated by the Spanish clergy under French influence, hence the alternative names of mester de clerecía and nueva maestría. It is also known as alejandrino (14) since Spanish verse forms are often named for the number of syllables they contain, the alejandrino is classified as a verse of art major.

It is known for its "rigidity of form: syllables are counted carefully" NPEOPP. In addition to the rigid meter, only true rhyme is allowed.

The Cuaderna Via is:

1. stanzaic, written in any # of mono-rhymed quatrains.
2. syllabic, 14 syllable lines divided into hemistiches of 7 syllables each, often broken by caesura. There is no wiggle room in syllable count.
3. mono-rhymed. The rhyme must be true rhyme, no slant rhyme, assonance or consonance.
   Rhyme scheme aaaa, bbbb etc. Apparently this is a form for purists.
   
   First Day of Chemo
   
   The morning chill waits for her, the cold arrived in the night,
   she lies beneath her down quilt, still as a doe before flight.
   The dreaded day has arrived, resolve mixed with fear holds tight.
   She knows it's what must be done and she swallows down her fright.

--- Judi Van Gorder