This form created by Lawrence Eberhart, aka Lawrencelot
It is an altered version of the La’Tuin form to facilitate feminine rhyming.
The La’Tuin, a poetic form created by Laura Lamarca, The La’Tuin is named after A’Tuin, a giant turtle from the
Diskworld series. A turtle is a symbol of Mother Earth. La is Laura Lamarca’s signature.
It contains a minimum of 4 stanzas, with no maximum length limit.
A strict syllable count of 9/8/9/8 is required per stanza.
It has abac rhyme consitent through-out the stanza.
Lines 1, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12, 13, 16 etc., all rhyme – this is the ‘A’ rhyme.
Lines 2, 6, 10, 14 etc, all rhyme – this is the ‘B’ rhyme.
Lines 3, 7, 11, 15 etc, all rhyme – this is the ‘C’ rhyme.
Therein lies it’s structural weakness. By requiring that the 9 syllable lines rhyme with 8 syllable lines, if the poet choose iambic (or trochaic) meter it disallows a more natural and pleasing feminine rhyme.
The improved rhyming scheme of the La’Tuin LaFemme is:
A B A2 C abac abac … AB A2 B C, (ABA2Cabac…ABA2C)
Example Poem
More Ladies-in-Waiting
The wives of Henry were all waiting
Their turn to be axed or booted
while extracurricular mating
was Henry’s favored night-time sport.
Except for queen Kath’rine, the grating
was less ironically suited,
for the others all been creating
their turns by schemings at the court.
Kath’rine loved Henry, while awaiting
her end, but strongly refuted,
his claims, yet without denigrating
him. Majestic was her support.
The wives of Henry were all waiting
Their turn to be axed or booted
while extracurricular mating
was Henry’s favored night-time sport.
(c) Lawrencealot – April 9, 2012
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