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Repeating Poetry FormsAn alternative is to use a line from the previous stanza and make it the first or last line of the new stanza, the Villanelle comes readily to mind. It seems that every nation has enjoyed using their own version of repeating or interlocking forms and poets as well as enjoying the poetic form in its purest manner have also adapted and put their own mark on that form. Lewis Turco and the Terzanelle, is a wonderful example. All of them are pleasant sounding forms and appear easy to write, but without exception are far more challenging to write than "conventional" rhyming poetry and perhaps this is why they have fallen out of fashion in this modern age of fast food, fast cars and fast poetry. The purpose here is to reintroduce these oft forgotten forms and challenge you to try them and also to see if in that challenge there can be a little revival. I hope to add to this collection from time to time, so please if you hear of any form or feel like contributing in some way, please do. Quick guide to forms(for more information click on the form) |
Balassi Stanza | Each stanza, a, a, d, b, b, d, c, C, d. 3 lines total 19 syllables 2 lines 6 one of 7 |
Ballade | Each stanza, a, b, a, b, b, c, b, C. And the envoy, b, c, b, C. eight or ten syllable form |
Catena Rondo | Each stanza, A. B. b. A. any number of stanza,using B to replace A etc Last stanza same as original. No set form |
Kyrielle | Each stanza, a. a. b. B. or a. b. a. B any number of stanza, eight syllable form |
Quatern | A. b. a. b ..b. A. b. a ..a. b. A. b ..b. a. b. A. A. x. x. x ..x. A. x. x ..x. x. A. x ..x. x. x. A. eight or ten syllable form |
Rondeau | (Ra). b. b. a. ..... a. a. b. R. ..... a. a. b. b. a. R. eight syllable form |
Rondel | Two Quatrains A. B. a. b.... a. b. A. B. Quintain a.b.b.a.A.(B.) or Sestet a.b.a.b.A.B eight syllable form |
Rondine | (Ra.) b. b. a. a. b. R.... a. b. b. a. R. eight syllable form |
Roundel | a.b.a.B....b.a.b....a.b.a.B. Any meter |
Roundelay | a.a.b.B....c.c.b.B....etc. Any meter |
Rubaiyat | .. a. a. b. a. . . b. b. c. b. . . c. c. d. c. . . etc No Meter Specified |
Sestina | a.b.c.d.e.f....f.a.e.b.d.c....c.f.d.a.b.e....d.e..d.e. e.c.b.f.a.d....d.e.a.c.f.b....b.d.f.e.c.a.. 1) .. b.a... 2) d.c... 3) f.e. Any meter |
Terza Rima | a.b.a....b.c.b./.x.z.x....z.z. or a.b.a....b.c.b./.x.z.x....z.a.z. eight syllable form |
Terzanelle | A1.B.A2....b.C.B...c.D.C....d.E.D....e.F.E. 6th (Final) Stanza..f.F.A1.A2..or.. f.A1.F.A2. No set meter |
Triolet | A. B. a. A. a. b. A. B. eight syllable form |
Villanelle | A1.b.A2...a.b.A1...a.b.A2...a.b.A1...a.b.A2. Final stanza a.b.A1.A2. or b.b.A1.A2 No set meter |
ZaniLa Rhyme | Based on Long Measure a. b1. c. b2. Internal Rhyme c1. c2 alternating each line a, c. b2, 9 syllables b1. 7.syllables |
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