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The Lai looks to be a very simple form comprising of five syllabled couplets separated by a two syllable line. These lines must all rhyme with one another. In English this line is probably the most difficult part of the poem. This is a very old French form and tradition states that the short line must not be indented, it must be left dressed to the poem. This is known as Arbre Fourchu (Forked Tree) there is a pattern meant to be set up as a tree. The number of lines in each stanza is fixed at nine. The number of stanzas is not fixed and each stanza has its own rhyme pattern. Here is my example of a Lai:
A much harder form is the Lai Nouveau.which has an eight line stanza and is similar in idea to the Villanelle. In this case the first two lines are the refrain and are used as the last lines of the subsequent verses. The last verse including both lines but in reverse order.The difficulty with this form is of course picking a rhyme pattern that is strong enough to last even two verses. The alternative rhyme can vary from stanza to stanza.
The Virelai;is an adaptation of the Lai and uses the short lines to set the rhyme pattern of the next stanza. The last stanza linking back to the first by setting the rhyme of its short ones to the 5 syllable line of the first. Thus we get a rhyme pattern 112112112 then the next 223223223 and if the next were the last it would go 331331331.Here is a very unusual example of Virelai instead of being light, Thunderstorm has managed to add the heavy velvet curtains of a Black poem.
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Contents
Lai
Lai Nouveau
Virelai
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Etain DruantiaSo life is a race, a mountain we face and climb; setting a fair pace o'er distance of space and time? Rather than such chase stop, savour and taste life's wine. back to list |
Galadrial MystMy binding is shed like the book much read; no pun. Intended words dead 'fore falling in bed past sun set and rise, aches head the words left unsaid-- you won. back to list |
Leny RooversHands stroking softly Skin glowing faintly Sweet cries Lips meeting gently Tongues searching sweetly Soft sighs Bodies arch strongly Voices cry loudly Wet dries. back to list |
Teagan De DanaanDig your fingers in Watch it spin and spin Life's clay Shape it, press them in. Feel the shape begin. Each day Watch! See it forming. Then fire the kiln. And pray. See as the clay dries Before your eyes Your scheme The shape you realise Did you visualise Or mean Non of us are wise Do not eulogise Your dream. back to list |
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