Category Archives: didactic

Interlocke

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The Interlocke form was founded ©April 2012 by Caroline A Gordon.
* Your title must be 8 syllables in length
* 3 sestets (6 lines)
* 1 ending line
* 19 lines in all
* With the following syllable pattern: stanza 1 868868 stanza 2 and 3 are 868864
* Last line is 8 syllables in italics.
You may utilize iambic trimeter and iambic tetrameter if you so wish.
* Your rhyme per sestet is as follows:
Stanza 1: abbabc
Stanza 2: bbcddA
Stanza 3: deedeA
Final Line: e (Italicized)
* The A represents a refrain being utilized at the end of stanzas 2 and 3.
 Your refrain is a shorter version of you first line in stanza 1.
* Also, each line can have internal rhyme this is optional,
and if you want to incorporate internal rhyme you don’t have to have
it on each line if you don’t want to.
MUST have end line rhyme per line, except your refrain.
* Stanza 1 is the original on its own
* Stanza 2 begins your interlocke, locking b with stanza 1
* Stanza 3 interlockes by locking in d with stanza 2
*Your last line is a 8 syllable one in italics using e rhyme pattern.
So, in essence your last sestet could be like this deedfA e.
*If you need to utilize fillers, that is your choice, I use them sparingly.
The Interlocke form is Copyrighted © April 2012 by Caroline A Gordon.
Example Poem
Let’s Write an Interlocke Form
On this line, next; Here’s a refrain.
To end stanzas two and three.
Where I placed “three” is fine you see
for common rhymes have much to gain.
That first “b” rhyme will see
five times it rhymes before we end.
You may choose rhyme in side.  You’re free
To use end-rhyme only.
And use a set meter, my friend,
or not, a gain.  You’re free to choose.
This form requires no booze.
Here’s a refrain.
The next line rhymes much.  You can’t lose.
Remember closing line.
This is Interlocke– note entwine.
Do it well and you shall bemuse.
With discipline divine.
Here’s a refrain.
Another  form we do define.
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Interlocke

Italian Sestet

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Italian Sestet
The original version of the Italian Sestet had no set meter, 
but after it was introduced into England by Spenser, 
eventually the poets there began to use iambic tetrameter 
or pentameter. The rhyme pattern example is as follows (Using iambic tetrameter)
x x x x x x x a
x x x x x x x b
x x x x x x x c
x x x x x x x a
x x x x x x x b
x x x x x x x c
 
Example Poem
 
Let’s Write an Italian Sestet
 
An Italian Sestet we’re to write. 
da DUM da DUM da DUM da DUM. 
Use Tetrameter- (four fine feet). 
Delay the rhyme that makes it right. 
There’re only two more rhymes to come 
then we are done.  Now ain’t that sweet? 
 
© Lawrencealot – July 25, 2012
 
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Lento

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A poetic form created by Lencio Dominic Rodrigues, the Lento is named after it’s creator, taken from his first name Lencio and rhymed to Cento, an existing form of poetry.
A Lento consists of two quatrains with a fixed rhyme scheme of abcb, defe as the second and forth lines of each stanza must rhyme.  To take it a step further, but not required, try rhyming the first and third lines as well as the second and forth lines of each stanza in this rhyming pattern: abab, cdcd. (abcbdefe, ababcdcd)
The fun part of this poem is thrown in here as all the FIRST words of each verse should rhyme. There is no fixed syllable structure to the Lento, but keeping a good, flowing rhythm is recommended.
For an added challenge, one may write a four-verse Lento and call it a Double Lento, or a six-versed Lento to become a Triple Lento.
Below is an example of a Lento: (Formatting is instructional only)
Composed in winter of Two Thousand Five, (a)
Proposed by my dreams, this entire theme, (b)
Exposed now for all to write and have fun, (c)
Supposed to be easy though it doesn’t seem. (b)
Two verses of four lines each you will write, (d)
Do rhyme the beginning word in every line, (e)
Pursue to keep last rhymes in line 2 and 4, (f)
Chew your brain a little, you’ll do just fine! (e)
Example by Lawrencealot
Write a Lento
Designed in Two Thousand twelve with you in mind.
Refined to rhyme lines one and three (not required).
Aligned (also not required) but more refined,
Opined this poet.  Done because I so desired.
Write two verses of four lines each.  Be astute
right off the bat, rhyme lines two and four. They are
quite necessary, that one cannot refute.
Bright planning for first word rhyme will get you far.
© Lawrencealot – April 18, 2012
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Margerinesoar Noir

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Margerinesoar Noir  ( Dark winged beauty)
form was created by Amanda J. Norton on June 2, 2012.
Isosyllaibc: All lines are 10 syllables.
All end-rhyme is mono-rhyme.
Interlaced separate mono-rhyme occurs on syllable 5 of each line.
The poem consists of two tercets, each followed by a couplet,
then a concluding quatrain.
The first line of the poem, is also the first line of the first couplet.
Finally, the 2nd line of the poem becomes the first line of the quatrain,
and the 2nd line of the first couplet becomes the
2nd line of the quatrain.
Example Poem
Use a New Form (Margerinesoar Noir)
Let us not abuse a form of our own.
A poet pursues truth with words on loan.
It should not confuse, lest poets disown.
Let us not abuse a form of our own.
Make pattern amuse, and not make folks groan.
Write of lover’s coos, or of Fred Flintstone,
or paying our dues for chances we’ve blown,
of evil in pews, or wild oats we’ve sown.
Whatever your muse drops into your zone–
Remember to choose your own words alone.
A poet pursues truth with words on loan.
Make pattern amuse, and not make folks groan.
If words can bemuse then we’ll not bemoan
the efforts we use to make it our own.
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Melodic

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This is a form invented by a poet who writes as  chasingtheday on Allpoetry.com
It is 15 syllables per line and at the beginning of every new line
you rhyme with the last word of the previous line.
The first verse is seven lines,
the second verse is six lines
and third verse is five lines.  (18 lines)
The rhyme for the whole poem is end line rhyme –
Rhyme Scheme: abcabccdefdefghigg
may be perfect rhyme, slant rhyme, or assonance rhyme, or sight rhyme
Each new line beginning must be the same rhyme as the
end line rhyme of the line before it.
The following template may help.  Interpret the rhyme column (a)b as meaning the
first word uses the a-rhyme, the end-word uses the b-rhyme.
Example Poem
Calls for Careful Constant Cogitation   (Melodic)
This form requires lines fifteen syllables long, an internal
Infernal rhyme that’s tough, because adjoining words must rhyme, hence
sense must accrue quickly to pairs that seem spaced so far apart.
Start with a new sentence when you need a break,  an external
nocturnal stimulant, like caffeine or nicotine dispensed
condensed into a pot or a pack may elevate your heart
chart and move your muse.  Or kill you like sex, food, or exercise.
Surprise surreptitiously surfaces when stringing sev’ral
caesural sounds sequentially but may lend a lift and lilt.
Tilt your lance and charge capriciously calling for less control.
Enroll enchanting images of white winged fairies with all
enthralled by fluttering and dancing as if on flower quilt.
Stilt your language if antiquities you’re planning to enroll.
Droll wit can be levered when you have so many words, but wit
lit out from me this week.  I hoped muse and I could together
gather something credible, (not aiming for incredible)–
bull can only be shoveled just so deep.  But muse chose to sit
it out, and left me all alone.  Thus this time will be no hit.
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Sonnette

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Invented by Sherman Ripley. It consists of 7 lines in pentameter, predominately iambic, with two stanzas, rhyming abba cbc. It is, essentially, half of a sonnet.
Example Poem
Write a Sonnette
Let’s write one-half a sonnet here and now.
We’ll use Iambs, and five of them per line.
although if you choose, trochees would be fine.
One-half a sonnet? Here I’ll show you how.
One quatrain followed by a sestet works.
A sonnet built with training wheels- divine.
A sonnet sans the benefits and perks.
© Lawrencealot – Oct. 20, 2012
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Nibor

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NIBOR  a form invented by Robin Richardson Jr.,aka Sector-Hunter on allpoetry.com.
A Nibor is a poem of 10 stanzas
1.The first 3 stanzas are in lines of 3 and are set up in a syllable count 3/4/3
2.The next 3 stanzas are set in lines of 4 and go 5/6/5/6
3.The next 3 stanzas are in lines of 3 and are set up in a syllable count 3/4/3
4.The last stanza  in the poem is a single line and has to rhyme with the first line in the previous stanza it can be as long or short as you want as long as it rhymes
Example Poem
A Nibor
is a bank rate
of exchange
in Norway.
It is also
poetry.
Invented
here, on A. P.
by our own.
Its requirements are
that you know how to count
and limit yourself
by lines within stanzas.
Also you must use
a specific number
of syllables in
each particular line.
Three tercets to start.
Followed by three quatrains.
Three tercets to end-
almost; there’s one more line.
It is its
stanza alone.
and must rhyme.
Restrictions
to free-form with
no reward.
You need not
even know what
meter is.
It that hot?
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Quadrilou

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This is a form invented by Mary Lou Healy, aka Mlou on Allpoetry
The form consists of two octets (16 lines)
with rhyme pattern abcdabcd abcdabcd
meter Iambic
Each Octet consists of two Quatrains, where
Line 1 is tetrameter
Line 2 Dimeter
Line 3 Trimeter
Line 4 Dimeter
Example Poem
Let’s write a Quadrilou today.
It’s really fun.
A tetrameter line
will start each verse.
That’s where you have the most to say,
you’re quickly done
because of form’s design
which is quite terse.
Just four syllables are in play
in any one
of even lines; resign
yourself, don’t curse.
Yet every line can grow one way-
a rhyme end-run,
use feminine  end-rhyme
that’s  not adverse.
© Lawrencealot – October 29, 2012
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Quatern

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The Quatern is a French form that consists of four quatrains (4-line stanzas),
with 8 syllables in each line.
The first line of stanza 1 is repeated as a refrain line as the second line of stanza 2,
the third line of stanza 3 and the last line of stanza 4.
There is no set meter or rhyme scheme.
 
Possible rime schemes  –  virtually any are ok
i. Abab, cAca, adAd, eaeA
ii. Aabb, aAbb, bbAa, bbaA
iii. Axax, xAxa, axAx, xaxA
Example Poem
Write a Quatern
This line shall serve as a refrain.
Each stanza moves it down again.
This form is in tetrameter,
but may be done pentameter
Though that does go against the grain.
This line shall serve as a refrain.
The first two lines were fine iambs,
But in the next, that meter scrams.
No meter is required at all
which makes choosing good words, a ball.
This line shall serve as a refrain.
Rhyming with refrain is no strain.
Just two more lines will do the trick.
Then we are finished pretty quick
You’re forced to “a” rhyme once again.
This line shall serve as a refrain.
© Lawrencalot – April 1, 2012
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Roundelay

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There is some confusion online as to the meaning of the term “roundelay,” with some references confusing it with the French “rondelet” and others describing it as any poem with a refrain. Actually, the roundelay, rondelet, rondeau, rondel, and other similar sounding poems all spring from a common French origin, but are all very different in contemporary use. The roundelay’s many repeating couplets and limited rhymes can make it a difficult form to write, but as with many successful poems with refrains, can also make for profound or esoteric poetry.
The roundelay consists of four sestets (six-line stanzas) made up of twelve repeating couplets (two-line stanzas, one of which repeats as each stanza’s last two lines. The stanzas’ couplets A,B,C,D ,E and R (the continuing refrain) combine in the following pattern:
A B R … B C R … C D R … D E R
So, in the second stanza, “B C R” represents six-lines (three couplets), with couplet “B” repeating from the first stanza, couplet “C” repeating in the following stanza, and its last couplet “R” repeating as every stanza’s last two lines. In addition, each couplet’s first line rhymes with other couplets’ first lines and all second lines rhyme with each other as well, making the rhyme scheme:
a-b-a-b-a-b … a-b-a-b-a-b … a-b-a-b-a-b … a-b-a-b-a-b
Remember that in a rhyming pattern, lines ending in a sound designated by “a” only rhyme with other “a” lines, “b” lines only with other “b” lines, and so on.
Trochaic tetrameter (four feet of “DUM-dah” per line, see “Meter”) is a requirement, but it is permissible for some of the lines to be one syllable short.

Related forms: Dryden’s Roundelay, Rondelet, Roundelay, Termelay

 
Example Poem
Write a Roundelay
Write in Trochees, DUM da sounding.
Search for words with good rhyme rating.
Rhymes once used will be compounding.
Words that fit will be elating.
Couplets through the verse, go bounding.
stuck together as though dating.
Rhymes once used will be compounding.
Words that fit will be elating.
Doubters now you’ll be confounding.
Roundelays you’re now creating.
Couplets through the verse, go bounding.
stuck together as though dating.
Doubters now you’ll be confounding.
Roundelays you’re now creating.
Couplets you composed.. astounding.
Each of them adds their own weighting.
Couplets through the verse, go bounding.
stuck together as though dating.
Couplets you composed.. astounding.
Each of them adds their own weighting.
I’m glad this poem is abating.
This is getting aggravating.
Couplets through the verse go bounding.
stuck together as though dating.
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