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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

BoppaThe smartest man I've ever known,only made it to the 6th-grade.A kid who jumped the rails to travel west and make his fortune.Fell in love in Utah, left his teen bride, to find work in Cali.Later she joined him.For 45 years he worked in the oil fields, never hit it richbut provided for his family and frugally saved.A reader, explorer, adventurer, too many tales to share hereWhenever I needed advice, focus, help at school, or a sounding board it was to him I turned.The smartest man I've ever known. ~~Judi Van GorderIn memory of my maternal grandfather (Boppa), William Ernest (Ernie) Herron 1890-1986 Prompt: A Praise Poem

For My Granddaughter You can't ever give up, it's not allowed your value far too precious to ignore. The path ahead remains unploughed, abandoned is your gentle life before. Without preparing for the arduous climb the journey has begun. It will be tough. Right off, a boulder has appeared, no crime, the trail you've chosen, barren, steep, and rough. The first of many painful lessons stings your heart. The ecstasy of love now pain. I know you feel the ache of broken wings, believing you will never love again. Take time to see the beauty that is you. Believe that you can start once more anew. ~~Judi Van Gorder - A Shakespearean Sonnet

Family Winter FunWelcome to the Glamis Dunesthe Sahara of Southern Cali,Shifting sands beneath the moon,thrills and spills in an off-road rally.The Sahara of Southern Cali,giant waves of sun-drenched sand,thrills and spills in an off-road rally.Dessert sport on a scale so grand.Giant waves of sun-drenched sand,families gather to camp in the round.Dessert sport on a scale so grand,all listening to the roaring sounds.Families gather to camp in the roundI'm strapped in a steel cage on wheels,all listening to the roaring sounds,scary roller coaster ride is how it feels.I'm strapped in a steel cage on wheels,a heavy helmet plopped on my head,scary roller coaster ride is how it feels,dunes ten to twenty feet tall ahead.A heavy helmet plopped on my head,adventure over 80 is overrated,dunes ten to twenty feet tall aheadI'll not go again, though it wasn't hated.Adventure after 80 is overrated.shifting sands beneath the moon.I'll not go again, though it wasn't hated.Welcome to the Glamis dunes. ~~Judi Van Gorder Verse Form: Pantoum Son and Grandaughter at campsite This is me. The helmet has an air tube that connects to something on the razer that pumps air into the helmet while you ride.(Don’t ask, I just know I was strapped into the helmet and hooked up to the razer and when I put the visor down cool circulated in the helmet. Without it I would be breathing sand ). It was freezing in the winter dessert. I put my hand on the door and was told not to because if we rolled I would loose my hand My son and grandkids go almost every other weekend during the winter months. Besides riding in the razor they also ride Quads and dirt bikes with sand tires.

"The Fire In My Soul Exposed" No council will house me, and my family resent me/ Everyday I feel lousy, and on the inside I'm empty Except for the rage that I feel, towards all of them/ Who were supposed to be close, to this thorn with a pen If I could reborn again, I'd definitely call in sick/ From the beginning to the end, I've had to forge to exist If it wasn't for my dog, I swear I'd call it quits/ Tired of calling for a God, whenever I'm falling to bits I'd slit my wrist just to feel, some kind of release from this world/ As since a kid all I could feel, was a disease and it's real I had to reveal what they done, and for that I went to jail/ Nearly killed by my mum, I took to rap to prevail Like the snail and the tortoise, I was aHead like the Hare/ Until the pale got nautious, and called the Fed for warfare With this head in despair, I'm more than prepared to go home/ And when I'm gone from here, they can have my poetry throne. Copyright 2021 The Elusive Mr Dunne (All rights reserved)

"Alcohol" (Royce da 5'9 'Cocaine' Remix) Mumma loved alcohol, more than she loved me/ So my heart it turned cold, cause I felt so ugly I wish she would hug me, like she can hold her drink/ Inside I'm always lonely, but my ship will never sink, Like those who've turned to drink. Alcohol, Alcohol, Alcoholllllll!!! It was eighteen years, before I got to meet my mum/ Everyday I was crying tears, cause that woman was a drunk I was in love with my mother, but she never loved her son/ I was angry at my daddy, cause this is what my daddy done Alcohol, Alcohol, Alcoholllllll!!! Nearly forty years of drinking, and my mummy got ill/ All the while got me thinking, what am I supposed to feel They got her at the doctors, and the hospital for pills/ I just hope she finds peace, like I did with Hip-hop & these skills Thanks to Alcohol, Alcohol, Alcoholllllll!!! Copyright 2020 The Elusive Mr Dunne (All rights reserved)

The Poet will publish my poem, “My Mother’s History” in an upcoming anthology on Cultural Identity. My ethnic background is a bit complicated. Depending upon how I look at it, I have 18 to 20 nationalities in my tangled family DNA. From my father’s side of the family, I inherited a German family name, Scandinavian blue eyes, with ancestors coming from France, Germany, Finland, Denmark, Lapland, Norway, Netherlands, Russia, Sweden, Ukraine, and somehow the Basque region. I also have some Jewish ancestry and a trace of Mongolian ancestry as do most people of Eastern European background. And my DNA test also claims that there is some Italian ancestry somewhere and perhaps Spanish ancestry. From my mother’s side of the family, I am part Scot, part Irish, part French, part Dutch, part Cherokee and part Nigerian. Since she was part of the lost tribe of the Cherokee Indians, her story is particularly complicated as her ancestors fled before being enrolled in a tribe and lived in the Ozarks intermarrying with other Indian tribes, Scot and Irish settlers, and escaped slaves. In any event, there are so few people in her ethnic group -perhaps 25,000 that they don’t show in DNA tests. Since her parents show Cherokee that means I am anywhere from 1/8 to 1/8 Cherokee. I met my uncle once and he looked Cherokee to me. The following are my poems exploring my ethnic history. Enjoy. My Mother’s History One day many a year ago My mother spoke to me About her family’s tangled history, She spoke to me Of lies, half-truths, and myths Some of which may have been true And throughout the evening Her history came alive. She was born in the hills of North Little Rock The 10th of 11 children Of an ancient dying race. The Cherokees who had run away Refusniks Refugees who fled in the hills. Part of the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation Part Cherokee, Choctaw, Creek, Seminole and African Americans Who fled to the mountains To avoid the trail of tears. Rather than join the rest In the promised land Of Oklahoma. They did not exist I did not exist. The BIA told us No Indian scholarship For you Since you can’t prove You are in fact Of Native American ancestry, I asked my mother What does this mean? She said No BIA money for you, My non-Indian son. Her family and Bill Clinton family Were related Bill Clinton and I are distant cousins When I met him I related my family history He concluded that we were indeed cousins Said I could call him Cousin Bill And he would call me Cousin Jake And he too was part Cherokee Irish, Scotch, French And African American Part of the lost tribe Of the Cherokee nation I told my mom This story She said It was true She was a distant cousin Of Bill Clinton Still did not like The lying SOB Her people disappeared From history’s eyes And DNA data banks My history was over As was hers And so, I learned at last The painful truth That due to the genocidal crimes of politicians so long ago My mother’s people Lost their land, their culture, and their hope And became downtrodden forgotten people Hillbillies they were called Living in the hills and mountain dales Clinging to the dim fading memories Of their once glorious past As proud Cherokees Now no one knew their name The old ways were forgotten And the new world never forgave them And they never forgave the new world As they lived on In the margins of society Forgotten people And I vowed that as long as I lived Their history would not die As I knew the truth And I would become a proud Cherokee And make my mother proud of me And my accomplishments When I am down and out I recall her stories and her warnings And realize it is up to me To live my life To let the Cherokee in me Live his life And in so doing My mother’s history does not die It lives on in me Until the day I die Long live the Cherokee nation Long live my mother DNA Does Not Like or Does it? I sent way For one of those DNA tests That promises to reveal Your ethnic heritage The only problem is that claim Is not yet true The results were surprising To say the least Family lore would have it That I have 18 nationalities In my tangled family history Mostly Northern European Part German, Norwegian, Swedish, Finish, Danish, Dutch, Laplander, Russian, Scottish, Basque, Mongolian, Jewish, Spanish, and French from my father Part Cherokee, Dutch, Irish, Scottish, English, Italian, Nigerian, and French from my mother 100 percent born and raised in Berkeley The DNA results showed that I am 68% northern European with trace elements of Jewish, Basque. Italian Mongolian and Nigerian stock, No native American at all And my Germanic last name For some reason Did not register at all Go figure I said And I read the fine print The state of the art is such That claims that they can tell Your ethnic background Are exaggerated The fine print read Explaining why it is often inaccurate The Cherokee background Disappeared Because my branch of the Cherokees Disappeared into the mist of time Part of the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation Part Cherokee, Choctaw, Creek, Seminole and African Americans Who fled to the mountains To avoid the trail of trees The German background Got swept up into the northern European thing And at the end of the day I remained as much a mongrel the breed as anything else Typical American I suppose All in all A fascinating experiment Family History Revealed The DNA results Revealed some aspects Of whom I am Where I am from But not everything Was revealed And much of my history Remains hidden My father was from Yakima Ran away to the Bay Area Where he became a college professor Taught the dismal science economics Along the way He met my mother And after a whirlwind romance had four children My older brother, Me Younger brother And sister She was a refugee From the dust bowl Fled Arkansas In the late ’30s Never looked back Settled down In the Bay Area Yet the south lingered on She trained herself To speak without an accent The only time the southern came out Was when she was talking to her sisters She was the 10th of 11th children Father was a moonshiner A Cherokee medicine man to boot Lived life in the Ozark mountains She had two sons From a prior relationship That went south We never really knew them My father was an atheist And a morning person And a man with a plan For everything My mother More make it up As she went along And a night owl How and why They met and stayed together Is beyond me They had a stormy relationship My mother always said Germans and Irish Don’t mix And never should marry She also said The world is divided into morning people And night owls And they are doomed to marry each other Yet I suppose There was real love Beneath all the drama And bluster Thoughts on Visiting the Holocaust Memorial Museum in DC Sam Adams Had never been To the Holocaust Museum, Despite the fact He had lived And worked in DC for decades One day after he retired He said to himself It was long past time To finally see the holocaust museum He went the week After Charleston, When the mob had chanted, Jews will not replace us. The museum affected him deeply He had just confirmed Through DNA That he had at least 10 percent Jewish ancestry Among the 18 other nationalities Swirling among these bloodlines Sam Adams was concerned Those elements of antisemitism We’re emerging among The MAGA crowd. But he dismissed The fears that Trump Was another Hitler As liberal hyperbole It could not happen here A new holocaust Would never happen But now he was not so sure

"Bars From Behind Bars"All I ever wanted was a Father, to love & hold me tight/Now all I have is a cell, where it's so lonely & cold at nightEyes holding back the tears, so my peers don't think that I'm weak/So many years I've spent looking answers, so many questions to a past that runs so deepUsing poetry as my release, to escape my bleak surroundings/From the abuse I received since a youth, to under the roof of the prison landingsDeeply regretting the texts I sent, cause sending 'em sent me 2 HMP/Like my life weren't already a sentence, closing my eyes, pretending that I'm freeBut in reality I'm caged like an animal, for the crime of a cry for help/For fighting back against my misery, lyrically for the rights of my likkle girlIt's me, myself & I now, living for the hope of better days/Sweating from the eye brow, ever since I got attacked on my second dayI know there's gotta be a better way, & with the right help, I know I'll find it/Cause God blessed me with the talent of rhyme, but in time I let my anger blind itDeep in my heart I wish I could rewind it, to the time when my mind was pure like snow/But for now I'll just seek the cure, cause I've got such a long way to go.Copyright 2008 The Elusive Mr Dunne (All rights reserved) https://allpoetry.com/poem/16286127-Bars-From-Behind-Bars-by-Mr-dunne-poetry

My book Poetry & Rap Banned At Crown Court (2009-2014) https://www.booksie.com/665579-poetry-rap-banned-at-crown-court-2009-2014

Assembly Required I have my gifts I'm old enough to finally recognize and applaud them. But one thing I'm not, "handyman". Hammering a nail I hit everything but the nail. So here it comes the cabinet I ordered and have been waiting forever for. In a flat cardboard box weighing a ton, opened, its just a bunch of boards. Are you kidding me? This is why I have a husband, but he is out of commission these days. This is why I have a son but he lives 500 miles away. I have a granddaughter who has inherited her Dad's talent but she just left for Utah and Super Cross. So I sit and stare. ~~jvg

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

Explore the Craft of Writing Poetry Invented Forms Writing.com is a site that took me years to master. It is all about writing, novels, poetry, short stories, whatever. Writers may post their work and blogs and it appears massive. I originally found it difficult to maneuver through the maze, I have since figured the site out. In order to take advantage of all of its features it costs money. There is limited access for free. However it is loaded with prompts, contests and challenges that can be fun and informative. Skill ranges from beginner to professional writers. Unfortunately at this point in my research there isn't much left that I haven't already researched and posted. However there are some original invented forms at WCD and also forms used from obscure sites that have been reproduced here. Dave Schneider, the leader of one of the many forums available, Poet's Place Café, challenges poets to use a "tool of the trade" on Mondays and write a poem in the "Form of the Week" on Thursdays. So here is the latest of my finds with a whole lot of assistance from Dave. The 160 is a writing exercise more than a poetic technique or form. I was excited to find a Dutch connection to poetic form and apparently this is an exercise used in Dutch poetry workshops. I don't know how helpful this would be in honing our skills as poets but it is something new. The exercise simply asks that you write a poem in 160 characters including space and punctuation. That means counting each letter of each word. Obviously it will be short. Example by Bianca Wings by Judi Van Gorder The Argonelles is an invented stanzaic form that I have been unable to find the source. There are 2 interpretations of the frame, one demonstrated at WCD by Neva aka Prosperous Snow as a simple syllabic rhymed quintain. The other version which I believe is the older one is found at Rainbow Communications and it uses two refrains. The elements of the Argonelles as demonstrated at WCD are: stanzaic, written in any number of quintains. (5 line stanzas) syllabic, syllables per line are 2-6-8-8-6 rhymed, rhyme scheme xabba xcddc xeffe x being unrhymed The Chase is On by Judi Van Gorder Fall TV by Judi Van Gorder The elements of the Argonelles as demonstrated by Linda Vernall Smith at Rainbow Communications are: stanzaic, written in any number of quintains. syllabic, syllables per line are 2-6-8-8-6 rhymed, rhyme scheme ABccB ADeeD AFggF etc The first line of each stanza is a repeated refrain from L1 of the poem. L5 repeats L2 of each stanza but is not carried over into the next stanza. Today's Molly Adventure by Judi Van Gorder Garden Lace is an invented form created by Roseille at WDC in response to a challenge to create a poem with interlocking rhymed tercets. Roseille is fast becoming one of my new favorite poets because of her creativity and her flawless rhythm. The elements of Garden Lace are: written in any number of tercets. syllabic, L1 & L2 8 syllables each, L3 14 syllables. Optional: L1 & L2 of each tercet is iambic tetrameter, L3 is iambic heptameter. rhymed, rhyme scheme, aba bcb cdc ded and so on. Winter Garden Winter Garden In winter darkness blooms of white crocuss mock, in pure merriment, the bleak and cold landscape. A pilot of light in the night. With saffron stigma, testament of her value beyond the sight of beauty in blight, with grace she offers her sacrament. ~~Judi Van Gorder Kwoa is a recently invented form by Max Kwoa that turns on only 2 rhymes. The elements of the Kwoa are: a 15 line poem made up of 6 couplets followed by a tercet. syllabic, the first 4 couplets and the 6th couplet, L1 of each couplet is 10 syllables and L2 of each couplet is 6 syllables. The 5th couplet has a syllable count of 9-5. The tercet has a syllable count of 5-5-6. composed with the 10 syllable lines are broken by caesura midway. rhymed, rhyme scheme ab ab ab ab xx ab xab x is unrhymed x x x x x, x x x x a x x x x x b x x x x x, x x x x a x x x x x b x x x x x- x x x x a x x x x x b x x x x x, x x x x a x x x x x b x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x, x x x x a x x x x x b x x x x x x x x x a x x x x x b Let Love In When love is offered, regardless of how, embrace with gratitude, enjoy the glory, let it fill the now, do not let it elude. Savor the moment, the explosive POW! Don't live in solitude, even love's sharp claws, cautiously allow because selflessness should be the goal of every living being. Loving another is the ultimate gift. Pick up the plow and clear the tangled wood make room for giving yourself, disavow fear, be blessed and renewed. ~~Judi Van Gorder . LANoe is an invented form by bLisa Noe that has mono-rhymed tercets with an easy rhythm. The elements of the LANoe are: stanzaic, written in no less than 3 tercets and no more than 8 tercets. syllabic, L1 and L2 are 8 syllables each. L3 is 3 syllables. rhymed, rhyme scheme aaa bbb ccc ddd etc. Gone See the hand that’’s withered and worn, From a man who’s beaten and torn. He’s no more. Now He’s gone but love still remains, Everything in life has now changed. But life's strange. Heaven is where we shall meet, my Lord, I hunger for your precious word. Sweetest heard. You are my Savior, I am proud, You speak to me so clear and loud. in the crowd. ~~Lisa Noe Summer Travail On Sunday the summer wind wailed drawing fears from the COVID jailed options paled Above unseasonable clouds adorned in dark, ominous shrouds what will now Could there be more to spoil my day? The mouse Molly brought in to play, here to stay. ~~Judi Van Gorder Octet is an invented form introduced by Dr. Laura Andersson. It is simply a diminishing octave. The elements of the Octet are: an octastich, a poem in 8 lines. syllabic, 8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 syllables per line. unrhymed. variable and can be written as a mirror or can be reversed. Gunman Kills 11 by Judi Van Gorder Fire Season by Judi Van Gorder The Onzain (French) or Onzijn (Dutch onze means eleven} is an invented form, the Dutch version of which is attributed to a Drs. P. The form apparently originated in France and this is all I could find about the French version of the form. The verse form is pretty simple, it is all about the number eleven. The elements of the Onzain or Onzijn are: a poem in eleven lines. syllabic, each line is eleven syllables. rhymed, the Dutch rhyme scheme is a-b-c-b-c-d-c-d-a-e-e, (I can only guess that the French rhyme scheme may be different since this scheme was specified as the Dutch version.) Punnett, an invented verse form created by Marc Ant in response to a challenge to create a new verse form based on your occupation. Being a biology teacher, Marc based the form on the ratios in a "punnet square". (Punnett squares are used in Biology to assess the ratio of possible genotypic outcomes when crossing traits among a species.) The elements of the Punnett are: a poem in 9 lines. unmetered, counts words per line 1-2-1-2-4-2-1-2-1 unrhymed theme must be in the biological realm. composed with the first word being part of the last word. centered on the page. Example Poem Udder Elixir by Judi Van Gorder Revanche (French - revenge) is an American, invented, stanzaic form created by David Hirt. The defining feature of the Revanche is the alternating rhymeless quatrains with the rhymed couplets. The elements of the Revanche are: stanzaic, written in any number of alternating quatrains and couplets. metric, iambic tetrameter. There is a variation which is written in 4 sets of alternating quatrains and couplets. The first set of quatrain and couplet are iambic tetrameter, the following 3 sets are written L1 thru L3 of each quatrain is tetrameter, L4 is iambic trimeter, the couplets are iambic tetrameter. rhymed, the quatrains are unrhymed and the couplets are rhymed. xxxx aa xxxx bb xxxx cc etc. x being unrhymed. (Note: the discription at Writing.com desribes the quatrains as "loosely Blank Verse" referring to the fact that the lines of the quatrain are unrhymed, this could be misleading. Lack of rhyme is only one feature of Blank Verse. Blank verse is always iambic pentatmeter. Rondel Grand An invented form by Victoria Sutton or Passionspromise at Writing.com. I'm unsure why this takes the name of Rondel since the stanza, rhyme, refrain and syllable patterns are not similar. (other than the first 4 lines are 8 syllables) It is still a fun form to give a try. The elements of the Rondel Grand are: stanzaic, written in minimum of 3 quintains. syllabic, L1-L4 8 syllables each, L5 is 6 syllables. rhymed, rhyme scheme ababR cdcdR,etc. written with L5 repeating as L5 in each subsequent stanza. Rondel Grand Modified is a modification of the above Rondel Grand, created by Twila Colville / tucknits at writing.com. It changes the Rondel Grand rhyme scheme from alternating to rhymed couplets and changes the the refrain from repeating the entire L5 to breaking L5 into two 3 syllable phrases and gives the poet the option of repeating only 1 phrase at either the beginning or end of the 6 syllable L5 in subsequent stanzas. The elements of the Rondel Grand Modified are: stanzaic, written in a minimum of 2 cinquains, preferably more. syllabic, L1-L4 are 8 syllables each, L5 is 6 syllables. rhymed, rhyme scheme aabbR, ccddR, etc. written with a refrain which includes the repetition of 3 consecutive syllables from L5 of the first stanza at either the beginning or end of L5 of subsequent stanzas. Joe's Words All his life my young brother wrote For love, work and family both; He would say “utter amusement,” But this prose needs no inducement From his pen, thoughts inspired. No words dared retire or impend; Old terms, new ideas he penned. Eccentric gems of dialect, His views seldom scribed direct; From his pen, prose tumbled. Three eulogies, oft he did quote "Four too many", sadly he wrote. I would agree; I heard him pray, "Goodbye's impossible to say;" From his pen, memories. Though afar his deep work I read, Never once did my lone voice plead; To praise his aggrieved wordsmith’s scree, His stories captivated me. From his pen, no debris. “We grow too old too soon and too late too smart”, sage old phrase rings true; Losing him reminds my heart of Its wisdom nous; lost sibling love From his pen, pained adieu. ~~Twila Colville Ronka is an invented verse form shared by Dave Schneider @ WCD which he found at Wordpress.com created by Ken Ronkowitz. The form is Ken’s combination of the haiku, and tanka with a little bit of himself thrown in. Basically it is a 5 line poem made up of 7 words (not syllables) each. He takes it a step closer to the haiku and infuses a touch of the season and ego-less-ness. The elements of the ronka are: a pentastich, a poem in 5 lines unmetered, each line is made up of 7 Words (not syllables) a season or a seasonal symbol is infused into the poem draws emotion from the image rather than the poet. Shutdown Federal parks closed, government workers go unpaid, this Christmas, groceries, dolls and toy trains will be sparse for four hundred thousand, held hostage to five billion dollar wall. What happened to promised, “Mexico will pay”? ~~ Judi Van Gorder Sidewalk Poem a la Gervic. Found at WDC, created by Gervic, this is a two-part poem featuring parallels and contrast. The elements of the Sidewalk Poem a la Gervic are: a two-part poem, each displaying a contrast or parallel of events, ideas, objects, feelings, emotions, etc. each of the two parts is made up of four closed tercets, each tercet is composed of a short main line followed by an indented couplet. each of the two parts end with a single-line refrain. L1 of each part is repeated as L7 in refrain. each tercet should interact with the other tercets but should also be able to be a stand alone poem. meter or syllabic patterns at the discretion of the poet. rhyme scheme, X1 aaxbb xcc xdd X1 or X2ab xab xcd xcd X2. x being unrhymed X being a refrain the title of the poem is a combination of the two refrains. The Sierras and the Pacific by Judi Van Gorder Part 1 XXXX1 xxxxxxxxxa xxxxxxxxxa or b xxxx xxxxxxxxxb or a xxxxxxxxxb xxxx xxxxxxxxxc xxxxxxxxxc or d xxxx xxxxxxxxxd or c xxxxxxxxxd XXXX1 Part 2 repeats the above frame using parallels or contrasting events, ideas, objects, feeling, emotions, etc. Sidlak means "shine" in Cebuano, a language of Northern Mindanao, Philippine Islands. It is a verse form that has appeared over the last 5 years in blogs at Word Press. It seems Shambhavi Bhardwaj first introduced it there. But because of the Filipino source of the name and he does not take credit for its creation, it's source is still a mystery to me. Shambhavi's description of the form however, has been quoted exactly whenever the form appears online so far. I break it down a little differently here. I have searched the internet and the Philippine and Indian Poetry sections of the New Princeton Encyclopedia of Poetry and Poetics to find some reference to the form without success. Because of the above research and especially because the last line syllable count is left to the discretion of the poet in lieu of a "color". I am pretty sure this is a recently invented form. There is a question of whether the last line must be confined to a color only or the color can be the focus of a phrase. The oldest sidlaks I could find use the color in a phrase. However, the poems I've read limiting the last line to the color only were very effective. I think given the two options, whatever works best for your poem is the correct answer. The elements of the Sidlak are: a pentastich, a poem in 5 lines. syllabic, 3-5-7-9- L5 syllable count is at discretion of the poet. L5 presents a COLOR that portrays the whole poem or the feelings of the writer without syllable count restriction. President George H.W. Bush Nation's pride respected leader passes to the other side he lived well, led with integrity wrapped in red, white and blue ~~Judi Van Gorder Hollow Since you left clouds darken the sky, the old dog mopes on the porch, and waking without you, the days are GREY. ~~Judi Van Gorder The Skinny is a verse form originally found at Word Press created by African American poet, Truth Thomas in the Tony Medina Poetry Workshop at Howard University. The intent of the form is to create "a vivid image with as few words as possible". The elements of the Skinny are: a verse form in 11 lines. unmetered. The measure is the line and the word. L1 can be any length although shorter lines are preferable. L11 is a repeat of L1 although it can change in word arrangement, in tense or variations of root words. L2 thru L10 are single words. L2, L6 and L10 are the same word. Poet's MagicA poem is just words in linespoetryisthe magicpoetrytouchesthereaderpoetryis words in lines, just a poem. ~~Judi Van Gorder The Solage is another one found by Dave. Created by poet, teacher, Cameron Semmens and discovered at How to write your own sogage, these are fun to write and can be addicting. The elements of the Solage are: a tristich, a poem in 3 lines. rhymed, L1 and L2 rhyme, L3 is unrhymed composed with 2 short lines followed by a single word 3rd line. L1 and L2 can be parallels with L3 related to both L3 should be sort of like a punchline. It's so cold and I'm getting old. ~winter~ ~~jvg More: The TriVail was created by J.lynn Sheridan in response to a poetic form challenge as demonstrated on her blog Writing on the Sun. She says it is loosely based on the monostich, which is simply a poem in a single line. I believe the connection is in reference to each couplet should be complete and should be able to stand alone as a poem. Maybe a better reference would be the ghazal. The elements of the TriVail are: stanzic, written in six couplets followed by a tercet. Each couplet should be complete, never enjambed to the next couplet. Each couplet should be able to stand alone as a poem but relate in some way to the couplet before, similar to the ghazal. syllabic, 3-7 3-7 3-7 3-7 3-7 3-7 3-3-3, each couplet has lines of three and seven syllables, and all three lines of the tercet have three syllables each. rhymed, the couplets can be either rhymed ab ab ab ab ab ab or aa bb cc dd ee ff, the tercet is unrhymed. composed with repeating one word from L1 somewhere in the subsequent couplets and again in the tercet. composed with a theme based on relationships of any kind The Tribe by Judi Van Gorder The Ziggurat is an invented form from Massachusetts poet Paul Szlosek in honor of Poetry Month. It has 4 sequentially increasing stanzas with lines measured by words instead of syllable or meter. Originally found at The Playground. The elements of the Ziggurat are: Stanzaic made up of four stanzas of 2 lines, 3 lines, 4 lines, and 5 lines. Lines measured by the number of words Stanza 1 lines of 2 words each, Stanza 2 lines of 3 words each, Stanza 3 lines of 4 words each, and Stanza 4 lines of 5 words each. Rhymed, each stanza is monorhyme, aa bbb cccc ddddd. Appetite

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.

Mask Halloween, freaky, fractured pumpkin shell painted on her fair face. Grease paint fantasy a gruesome graft, ghastly guise. ~~Judi Van Gorder Seox

Daddy's Girl First to hold her in his arms, heart of hearts he fell. Often sucker to her charms, guards and guides her well. Growing up is hard sometimes, there are toys and boys, choices set the course to climb. Daddy's hope, to joy. ~~Judi Van Gorder Notes: ▼

For TrinityFresh gusts of scented air traversethe satin curve of sun-blushed cheeks.A love caress in nature’s verse,a silent, timeless vow it speaks.Your beauty blossoms from within;unselfish acts are sure to winesteem from those who watch from afaryour trek to catch the promised star. ~~Judi Van Gorder Verse Form: Rispetto

Come on OverGood times,friends, familygather for Barbeque,warm sunshine with shady retreatunder the redwoods near my rose garden.Cold beer and sweet tea, sate our thirst,pot of chili, burgers,salads galore,good times. ~~Judi Van Gorder Verse Form: Rictameter

Can't Keep a Good Man Down Somewhere over France, they shot down my true life hero, my Uncle Ray. World War II fighter pilot that day, survived to return to the USA, ninety-five years he hung around. His neck was broken when shot down "was his lucky day", he used to say, married his nurse, found love that would stay, a good life with laughter, work, and play, Dad to two girls, they're still around. A baby when he was shot down, my first memory, he rescued me. He always made me laugh, he would be my counsel, mentor, he guided me. I felt safe when he was around. ~~Judi Van Gorder Notes ▼

The Night the Bears Roamed Dad sat on the front porch of the vacation cabin, a baseball bat across his lap to ward off the bears, Mamma sat on the lower bunk in the kids dorm with her arm around my sobbing friend, and taught us a Psalm. "Yeah though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil." The bears were looming, we listened, "Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me,” A baseball bat made a pretty good rod against imaginary bears. "Surely goodness and mercy will follow me", "And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." We believed, we were safe, the bears were gone. To this day when afraid I remember that night and the bears go away. ~~Judi Van Gorder Notes: ▼

Explore the Craft of Writing American Verse Kwansaba is an African American verse form of praise. The Kwansaba, (swahili kwan - first fruit / saba -principle) was created in 1995 by Eugene B Redmond, East St. Louis Poet Laureate and professor of English at Southern Illinois University-East St. Louis. The form was developed in honor of the celebration of Kwanzaa . The poetic form adopts the number 7 from Kwanzaa's Nguzo Saba (7 principles) as well as embraces its roots in the South African tradition of the Praise Poem. Unity, family Self Determination Work Collectively Cooperative economics Purpose Creativity Faith Kwanzaa is a 7 day celebration of the African-American family encompassing African-American heritage, culture and principles. The celebration was introduced by Dr. Maulana Karenga, African-American educator, following the Watts riots of 1966 with the intent of bringing the African American community together. Kwansaba, the birth of a poetry form The 7 principles of Kwanzaa are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. Each day of the celebration focuses on one of the principles. The defining features of Kwansaba are: a celebration of family and African-American culture, a praise poem. a septastich, a poem in 7 lines. measured by 7 words in each line. written with no word exceeding 7 letters. Celebration Blow the trumpet and pound the drums wave the vibrant flags of many lands Hold high the red, white and blue where hope stirs hearts to join hands the diverse colors from this our earth. Each proud in our culture to share with others our talents and unique being. ~~Judi Van Gorder 12-31-2017 Writer's Hand by Carley Moore

I Have a Hero . . Alone in a big strange bedHer screams broke into my dreams.Scuffling and loud voices followed.A silhouettethrough frosted glassin the bathroom door, two women huggingone crying. It was Mommy.I cried too.Blue and red lights flashed through the open doorwhere Uncle Ray took Daddy to sit outside on the porch steps talking low.Daddy went awayUncle Ray picked me up,carried me back to bed and said, "It's OK Honey, you'll always be safe with me." ~~Judi Van Gorder Written from prompt, write a memorable childhood event Another poem about my Uncle Ray, Can't Keep a Good Man Down

Memories Made Today Picking blackberries on slow summer day, gingerly avoiding being pricked by thorns. Eating berries is part of the play, my grandkids giggle while Mamma warns. ~~Judi Van Gorder Tho Sau Chu

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

"Ladies Never Jiggle" Things my Mama used to say: "Don't jump off a cliff unless you expect to fly"; I may have fallen a few times but jumping taught me how to soar. "A needle in a haystack can still stick you"; I learned a little prick once is a while keeps me on my toes. And my personal favorite, "Ladies never jiggle, wear your girdle." (I was 5'5" and weighed 108 pounds at the time.) Sorry Mom, I dumped the girdle but there is still a little "lady" in me. ~~Judi Van Gorder

Tea in Grace Tea and lemon drops, eyes blue as the summer sky, scent of lavender, Cornish pasties and her famous pot pie, fairy tales and bible stories jumbled with family yarns, fantasy and truth all told while she held us in loving arms. God's blessings in this small woman we all called Mom, she waits for us at heaven’s gate when our journey here is done. ---Judi Van Gorder ( in memory of my paternal grandmother Elizabeth Grace (Mom) BartleTruscott 1888-1990)