The Folía

[Tinker]

Explore the Craft of Writing Poetry
Spanish Verse
The Folía is a nonsensical or a ridiculous poem, originating in 16th century Spain, probably influenced by a Portuguese dance song.

The elements of the Folía are:

1. stanzaic, written in any # of quatrains.
2. syllabic, 8 syllables lines or shorter.
3. rhymed, rhyme scheme abab cdcd etc.
4. ridiculous or nonsensical.
   
   Silly Willy by Judi Van Gorder
   
   In old 16th century Spain
   when poets felt a bit silly
   they'd dance circles round in the rain
   and write rhymed verse willy nilly.