The Minute Poem

[Tinker]

Explore the Craft of Writing
Light Verse

The Minute Poem is a 60 syllable verse form, one syllable for each second in a minute. The theme should be an event that is over and done completely, as in a minute. Since the dominant line is short the effect is likely humorous, whimsical or semi-serious. It was created by Verna Lee Hinegardner, once poet laureate of Arkansas.

The elements of the Minute Poem are:

1. narrative poetry.
2. a 12 line poem made up of 3 quatrains.
3. syllabic, 8-4-4-4-8-4-4-4-8-4-4-4
4. rhymed, rhyme scheme of aabb ccdd eeff.
5. description of a finished event (preferably something done is 60 seconds).
6. is best suited to light verse, likely humorous, whimsical or semi-serious.

   by Judi Van Gorder

   Heaven's Hues Above the hills. clouds floated by                  to prink the sky with heaven's mist. The angels kissed the pale wash of lavender, pink and slate. Light sinks below treetops, horizons' props. It plays the sunset's rhapsody in harmony with soft refrain to stay the rain.

   Mission For the Queen Quickly the tiny ants skitter pesky critters from afar just dots little black spots One staggers with weight of a crumb            like a drunken bum it rights itself crawls down the shelf Mission stamped into DNA its life, the pay to feed the queen whom no one's seen.

   Timer Set on Pop A steady mechanical whir provocateur A snapping pop crackle won't stop Paper container explosion artful fusion Addicting bite crunchy delight Popping corn in the microwave the taste I crave the butter-rich kernels bewitch.

   
   Memorial Day

[Tinker]

A 30 Second Poem is a twisted Minute Poem created as a challenge at Writing.com by CJ. The elements are the same as the Minute Poem with the syllable count cut in half.

1. a verse form written in 3 quatrains
2. syllabic 4-2-2-2 4-2-2-2 4-2-2-2
3. rhymed aabb ccdd eeff
   
   Detained
   
   A stomach ache
   can take
   away
   a day
   
   The work and fun
   undone
   detain
   in pain
   
   Taking a pill
   when ill
   could help
   the yelp
           ~~jvg

 

[Tinker]

Memorial Day Fallen soldiers honored today. Flags wave, we pray. Mostly just boys but guns aren't toys, they're our heroes, our warriors                              in someone's wars. We think we're right,  they're sent to fight in foreign lands, dear sacrifice. They pay our price, and young sons die. I must ask, why?              ~~Judi Van Gorder

Potluck My friends will join for feast and fun when work is done. There're smiles galore can't ask for more throughout the years, fierce friendships reign in joy and pain. Their laughter best an easy quest. A favored dish is brought to share, prepared with care, a taste delight, let's take a bite.                    ~~Judi Van Gorder

Minute Poem