Search the Community

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 Logolilt is an invented stanzaic form that features diminishing line length. It was created by Flozari Rockwood. The elements of the Logolilt 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. 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. 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 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 SweetbriarA rose blossomswith velvet touchis known Eurasian bredDelicate bloomin single-ply,Sweetbriar pink and red.Fragrant budsfull tilt displaytoo wild to tame in bed.Mixed in bristles,their prickly stema 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.

March 21, 2019 March twenty first is World Poetry Day! What would this world be without the beauty of words artfully placed upon a page for someone to read, exploring, condensing a poet's soul? March twenty first also heralds in Spring! Applaud the vibrant colors of new life, sweet reverdie's pledge to paint images in vivid phrases. I pen the season's display on a scroll. ~~Judi Van Gorder Verse Form: Duodora