American Forte

Invented by Jose Rizal M. Reyes of the Philippines

Quatrazain

Iambic Petameter

Three Quatrains + Ending couplet

Rhyme Scheme: abab bbcc cdcd dd

Associated form: American Libra = abab bbcc cdcd ee

Example Poem

Lead and Follow (American Forte Sonnet)

Just follow your individual quest.

Pursue what stimulates your mind and soul.

When you’ve done jobs with care, and done your beat

That’s all that counts and that’s your only role.

Compare not yourself; other’s have their goal,

which may not seem in synch, in part or whole.

You need not better any one, but need

to do your very best, then you succeed.

You may have skills enabling you to lead.

That leadership is not the goal, you see.

But if you can help others when they need

a guide, you just help building their esprit.

Where you should follow, don’t compete; be free

to play roles that enhance in small degree.