Tag Archives: quatrains

Trifrain

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This is a form created by Lisa LaGrange on Allpoetry.com
It is Stanzic, consisting of any number of quatrains.
It is isosyllabic, eight syllables per line.
It is metered, generally iambic tetameter, but not limited thereto.
It has a repetition (Refrain) requirement
Except for the refrain, which is the first 4 syllable of line one, repeated twice as line 4, it requires mono-rhyme.
Rhyme pattern: aaaR 
Note: Added 2/23/2014:
The Trifrain is a new form that I added to this blog in January 2014, which is so very like a Monotetra (created in 2003), that I have been contacted with the following message: I think you should be careful when giving credit to a poet for creating a poetic form. You documented that Lisa LaGrange created a new form called a “Trifrain”. She now insists that it’s her form when in actuality it’s nothing more than a modified Monotetra created years ago by: Michael Walker.
I agree with the statement that is it nothing more than a modified Monotetra, but it is just that – modified.  It adds the REQUIREMENT of a REFRAIN (While dropping the requirement of MONO-RHYME.)
Lisa could well have simply credited her writing as  such a modification, without giving it a name.  But now we have a label we can refer to if we wish to write this style.
My dilemma, is that I cannot unilaterally decide that the new requirements are insufficient to allow a new name.  Many sonnet forms were invented with merely a change of rhyme pattern, etc…
But I definitely can and will give credit to the inspiring poet upon whose shoulders one is standing.
 
Example poem:
 
Nap Time     (Trifrain)
 
I need a nap to clear my head 
that happens when I go to bed 
to sleep instead, well just instead. 
I need a nap.  I need a nap. 
 
My tasks await, I can’t delay 
my puppy sez it’s time to play 
my wife wants barking far a way. 
My tasks await.  My tasks await. 
 
I’ll get things done I’ll catch up soon 
I’ll still have all this afternoon 
but with my muse I must commune. 
I’ll get things done. I’ll get things done. 
 
My head is clear.  I took a nap 
with puppy cuddled in my lap 
I’m better now, My nap’s a wrap. 
My head is clear.  My head is clear. 
 
© Lawrencealot – January 30, 2014
 
Visual Template:
This template shows iambic tetrameter.
 
 

Domino Ryme

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  • Domino Rhyme  is a very clever innovation of Bob Newman which can be found at his site as well as many others on the internet. Much like a slinky, rhymes tumble from stanza to stanza, it is something he calls “remote rhyming”.The Domino Rhyme is:
    • stanzaic, written in any number of quatrains.
    • metered, written in a loose tetrameter. Lines should be same length.
    • rhymed. L2 and L3 of the first stanza rhyme with L1 and L4 of the next stanza and so on down until the last stanza when L2 and L3 rhyme with L1 and L4 of the first stanza. abcd befc eghf gijh … iadj.
 Thanks to Judi Van Gorder of PMO.
Domino rhyme
A poem in domino rhyme is written in four-line stanzas, within which there are no rhymes at all. However, every line rhymes with a line in another stanza. Specifically, lines 2 and 3 of each stanza rhyme with lines 1 and 4 respectively of the next stanza. The final stanza completes the loop, its lines 2 and 3 rhyming with lines 1 and 4 of the first stanza.
Here are the opening few stanzas of a poem written in this form:
from Inspiration Fails
They don’t come to me here, the girls
My self-restraint should draw. Who knows
What force might motivate them; why
Most other hermits pack them in.
My fount of inspiration flows
Most fecund when the buckie ears
Of buxom women spur it onward.
One tender bite: I versify
In buckets. But it’s many years
Since last I penned a plangent ode.
My old kerchief still bears the knot
I tied then. Why? Remembering’s hard,
For Lethe’s bitter wind has blowed,
Or current swept my thoughts away.
Some lesser poet conjured it –
He’ll be remembered; I, forgot.
This is the sequel to a poem called Inspiration Falls, and it carries on for quite a lot longer.
Why Domino rhyme?
The idea is to rhyme without the reader consciously noticing, because the rhymes are unusually far apart – what I call “remote rhyming”. With the poem laid out as above, the pattern is relatively easy to spot – but remove the gaps between the stanzas, and the reader is likely to be satisfyingly baffled.
I call this particular rhyming scheme “domino rhyme” for two reasons. First, because the rhymes ripple through the poem like toppling dominoes. Second, because one of the most popular domino games is called Fives and Threes (or Threes and Fives!) and here pairs of rhyming lines are always either five or three lines apart.
Note for Logophiles
In the example above, each stanza is built around an obscure word which does not actually appear in the poem. (This is not an essential part of the verse form!) The words are: agapetae early churchwomen who lived with celibate men; gynotikolobomassophile one who likes to nibble women’s earlobes; quipu mnemonic knots in ancient Peru; castrophrenia: the belief that enemies are stealing ones thoughts.
Similar forms
I only know of one other verse form in which every line rhymes, but all the rhymes are external. This is rimas dissolutas. 
 Thanks to Bob Newman.
 
My Example Poem
Humility Earned     (Domino Rhyme)
She does not think less of herself
for acts she did when she was young
The scars she has are not displayed
invoked, or played upon at all.
New melodies are being sung
by youngsters facing tempting threats.
She works with them in song and verse
her voice each morning an aubade.
She’s risen above her regrets,
and frets not at all ’bout her past
She harvests beauty floating by,
considers grumpiness a curse.
No opportunity’s your last
mistakes like read books on a shelf
are simply signposts for us all
take note, move on, spread wings, and fly.
© Lawrencealot – December 31, 2013
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Loop Poetry

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Loop Poetry is a poetry form created by Hellon. There are no restrictions on the number of stanzas nor on the syllable count for each line. In each stanza, the last word of the first line becomes the first word of line two, last word of line 2 becomes the first word of line 3, last word of line 3 becomes the first word of line 4. This is followed for each stanza. The rhyme scheme is abcb.
 
Variations: 
 
1. Stanzas, writers choice on the number, no rhyming, the last word, first word scheme is maintained. 
 
2. One long stanza, no limit on number of lines, no rhyming scheme, the last word, first word scheme is maintained.
 
3. Couplets mixed with 4 line stanzas, the last word, first word scheme is maintained in the stanzas. It can also be used in the couplets.
Rhyme scheme is ab, cc, defg, hh, ii, jklm, nn, oo.
 
Example #1:
How I See You
 
Eyes that don’t see
see the things that you do
do you wish me to describe
describe how I see you…
 
Skin so delicate
delicate as a rose
rose that will blossom
blossom as it grows.
 
Hair moving gently
gently you tease
tease…softly whispering
whispering summer breeze.
 
Voice so melodic
melodic singing birds
birds, such sweet tunes
tunes…enchant like your words.
 
Dress…rustling
rustling tress bare
bare as leaves fall
fall, the colour of your hair.
 
Your perfume..sweet fragrance
fragrance frangipani’s bring
bring back many memories
memories of spring.
 
Yes…I am blind
blind, yet I see
see in my mind
mind you fill will glee.
 
Copyright © 2009 Hellon
 
Example #2:
Bloody eyes
 
Bloody eyes..watching..waiting
waiting in gloomy shadows
shadows of night
night so…still
still they watch, still they wait
wait for you
you..the next victim
victim of evil
evil that lurks
lurks in silence
silence then…screams
screams…then silence
silence of night
night of shadows
shadows of gloom..waiting
waiting…watching
watching..bloody eyes
 
Copyright © 2009 Hellon
 
Example #3:
Picture Frame
 
Looking out at the world from a picture frame
smile frozen in time.. skin of porcelain
 
Eyes of green meadows on a warm summer’s day
auburn hair falling cascades to disarray…
 
disarray like her life
life changed this young girl
girl with a past
past life..secrets hidden
 
around the frame wallpaper is faded
just like her life, over…jaded
 
smile frozen in time behind emerald eyes
there in a past entwined with lies
 
Lies…there were many
many secrets..haunting
haunting her now
now re-living the nightmare
 
Fear of a night she would rather forget
so long ago still she lives with regret
 
picture frame now smashed, shattered glass on the floor
just like her life, dreams are no more.
 
Copyright © 2009 Hellon All Rights Reserved
 

 

Too many options for this poet to choose among!

Abhanga Poetry Form

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Abhanga
There are not many verse forms whose names begin with the letter A.  The abhanga is a Marathi form, Marathi being one of the major languages of India. It is the official language of Maharashtra, and is also spoken in several neighbouring states in the west of the country, including Goa and Karnataka. 
The form is simply described: four lines, with syllable counts of 6, 6, 6, 4, and lines 2 and 3 rhyming.
Thanks to Bob Newman for this wonderful resource.
 
Abhanga, “the completion” is a stanzaic form commonly used for devotional poetic composition although it has also been used for cynicism, satire and reflective moods. It was popular from the 13th thru 17th centuries Marathi Region of India and is described as complex and classic.
…
The Abhanga is:
  • stanzaic, written in any number of quatrains (4 line stanzas).
  • syllabic, 6/6/6/4 syllables each
  • rhymed L2 and L3 rhyme. Often internal rhyme is employed. End rhyme scheme x a a x , x being unrhymed.
Thanks to Judi Van Gorder for this wonderful resource.
Rhyme pattern: xaax
 
Example Poem
 
Nurturer     (Abhanga)
When life it brought into
our world with woman’s pain
before the child’s refrain
sends it away
the nurturing begins
with boys and girls, and yes,
with men we must confess.
The woman builds.
When this small fact is found
to be untrue, then what?
Then you’ve defined a slut,
female, that’s all.
The care and love rendered
describe a woman’s ilk.
Their touch is soft as silk
but strong as glue.
As aging wrinkles up
my face, I’m satisfied
a woman’s by my side
and she has cared.
© Lawrencealot – November 26, 2013

 
 
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Chandlerian

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This form was invented in 2005 by B_Chandler on AP.
I found it on PoetryMagnusOpus listed as “Chandler’s Sonnet, with the caveat below.
  • The Chandler Sonnet is an invented verse form introduced by B Chandler that although it is called a sonnet, has nothing in common with the sonnet form.
    The Chandler Sonnet is:

    • a poem in 22 lines, written in 3 quatrains, an octave and a couplet in that order.
    • syllabic, the first 3 quatrains are dodecasyllabic, the octave is hendecasyllabic and the couplet is heptasyllabic lines.
    • rhymed, turned on only 4 rhymes, abab baba abab cdccdcdd ee.(ababbabaababcdccdcddee)
My thanks to Judi Van Gorder of PMO, one of the hardest working site administrators on the web.  A wonderful resource.
 
I have chosen to give the form the Original name the creator applied, even though in her
description she called it “The Chandler Sonnet”..  I am already catching enough flax for finding so many non-complying sonnet forms.
 

 

Example Poem
 Instinct (Chandelarian)
Instinctively the spider knows he has to build
A DNA encoded knowledge, never taught
enables his performance, diligent and skilled.
His mommy never taught him though you think she ought.
To teach this task in college would require a lot,
and grant you membership in an especial guild.
Geometry and Physics, rules of Mandelbrot,
and Chemistry and math would be the skills they sought.
Our spider weaves his web without a second thought,
then finds it rendered useless by the moist air chilled
by nature’s nocturnal show’s ever changing plot.
The web will dry and work, or else he will rebuild.
Discontent with other’s actions can occur
in daily functions even when we’re trying
to co-operate – attempting to defer,
and misspoken words are taken as a slur.
This happens even when you are complying
and we don’t always comply, that is for sure.
If mates can touch the care that’s underlying
as by instinct they’ll find their love undying.
My wife’s patient as a saint
that’s so, even though I ain’t.
© Lawremcealot – Novemeber 20

Visual Template

This template uses beginning Anapest for “c” rhymes
poet may choose any meter for either rhyme

 

Trolaan

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Trolaan, created by Valerie Peterson Brown, is a poem consisting of 4 quatrains.
Each quatrain begins with the same letter. The rhyme scheme is abab.
Starting with the second stanza you use the second letter of the first line of the first stanza to write the second each line beginning with that letter.
On the third stanza you will use the second letter on the first line of the second stanza and write the third each line beginning with that letter.
On the fourth stanza you will use the second letter on the first line of the third stanza and write the fourth each line beginning with that letter.
There is no mandatory line length or meter specified. (Added)
Example #1:
Distraught Blessings
Desire the sound or hope,
deluding minds in darkness.
Daunting though its scope,
deluged now with the access.
Elope into the morrow,
envelope me with song.
Enclose me now in sorrow
easing against the throng.
Longing for succulent prospect,
laying waste to eager night,
Lopsided in neglect,
listless with delight.
Only now will I protest,
owning nothing less.
Opening now I detest,
one more time to bless
.
Copyright © 2008 Valerie Peterson Brown
 
My example poem
In Sincerity, One Word or Two     (Trolaan)
Don’t you now know I love you so?
Did I not tell you many times?
Do leaves not rustle when wind blows?
Devotion I spell out in rhymes.
Oh Sweetheart, never doubt my love.
Other young ladies hit on me.
Occasionally I will sort of
Omit offending, don’t you see?
How can you feel demeaned, my sweet?
Harangues are not required at all.
Heaven knows they are not as neat.
Have trust! I love you most of all.
Open relationships are fun.
Of course I only play around
on those times I am with someone.
Otherwise, it’s with you I’m found.
© Lawrencealot – July 7, 2013
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KyRenn

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This form was created by Kylie Routley, aka KyRenn on Allpoetry.
It consist of six quatrains, each set of three having only two rhymes.
Verse one and two being mono-rhyme, and verse three being alternating or cross rhyme.
Specifications not confirmed on meter and line length.
Be consistent.
A six stanza, mono-rhyme form with the following
Rhyme Scheme: aaaa bbbb abab cccc dddd cdcd
 
 Example Poem
 
Form a Study Group (KyRenn)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In lieu of study I chased skirts, 
Could not resist a girl that flirts. 
In life’s a meal they were desserts. 
Their pheromones are my alerts.
When any girl would wish to play, 
she knew she’d get this guy’s okay. 
If there’s  a party – right this way,
just hurry, hurry, ándale.*
My education, this subverts, 
this frivolity on display. 
I think to change, but mind reverts- 
Exciting curves!  Enticing sway!
I’d never cause a girl to fret 
or leave my presence with regret 
or leave them wanting on a bet 
should their own appetite be whet.
If fun is mutual and fair 
and drug abuse you do not bear 
just seize the joy while it is there 
for when you’re eighty you won’t care.
If on the way a mate is met
and each excites each anywhere, 
that is as good as things can get, 
so marry her and homework share.
© Lawrencealot – July 4th, 2013
 
 
  * The term ándale is variously used in Mexican slang to mean come, or okay, or finally.
 
 
Here is a Visual Template 
for an Iambic Tetrameter version:
 
 
 
 

LaGrange Quatrain

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 La Grange Quatrain created by Lisa La Grange of AllPoetry
Syllabic: 8/7/8/7
 Rhyme scheme: abab                   
Meter: Tertius paeon
dee dee DUM dee, dee dee DUM dee                                
dee dee DUM dee, dee dee DUM                                
dee dee DUM dee, dee dee DUM dee                                
dee dee DUM dee, dee dee DUM
Note alternating feminine and masculine rhymes.
 Example Poem
 
Forfeited Opportunity     (La Grange Quatrain)
Undeserved, he’s still receiving
approbation from the left.
While the right is past deceiving
and he forces wide the cleft.
A white guilt, earned by grandfathers
and augmented by black pride
brought to office one who bothers
not at all laws to abide.
Our first black to claim the title
has mis-used the office throne
gaining wealth as though entitled.
redistributes what’s our own.
Were I black I’d be resenting
the destruction he’s allowed;
this historic representing
should have made all races proud.
© Lawrencealot – November 2,2013
Poem my be any multiple of 4 lines.
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Rondeau Redoublé

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The rondeau redoublé is not an easy form to write. It uses only two rhymes throughout, repeats whole lines, and has an awkward repeated half-line at the end. Let’s look at an example.

The first stanza is the key to the whole poem. Its four lines reappear in turn as the final lines of the next four stanzas, and the first part of the first line reappears again as the half-line at the very end. Each stanza rhymes either abab or baba. For the sixth stanza, either is possible.

To write one of these, start with the final half-line, then do the opening stanza, and you’re half-way there.

Complication

The blessed Malcovati, curse him, tells us that one of the two rhyme groups in a rondeau redoublé must be masculine and the other feminine. (The example he gives appears not to satisfy this rule – or perhaps my French is not good enough to appreciate the way in which it does.) Anyway, if he is to be believed – and he usually is – the above is not a true example of the form after all. It still seems good enough to me, though.

Pasted from http://www.volecentral.co.uk/vf/rondouble.htm
with thanks to Bob Newman for his years of work on the wonderful Volecentral resource.

This seems as good a description as any I found, and the added info regarding complication allows us to ponder how formal we want to be with our writes.

Stanzaic: Five quatrains plus a Quintet
Meter: Iambic Pentameter
Rhyme pattern: A1,B1,A2,B2 – b,a,b,A1 – a,b,a,B1 – b,a,b,A2 – a,b,a,B2 – b,a,b,a,(A1)

My Example
(Rondeau Redoublé)

Now is Good, Eternity is a Concept

Religions I can’t sell. They’re man created,
they’re based on fear; they’re doing very well.
One can be saved by doing what’s mandated.
I don’t need heaven; you can keep your hell.

I need no virgin births to make things swell.
I need no virgins, promised and post-dated.
I chuckle at the tales tall fables tell.
Religions I can’t sell. They’re man created.

All bigotry lets hate get concentrated,
as they recruit each other’s clientele.
Religions preach; with doubters oft berated.
They’re based on fear; they’re doing very well.

The golden rule makes common sense; I shall
embrace that while not notions fabricated.
I need no saving yet on streets some yell
One can be saved by doing what’s mandated.

I’ve others and I’ve been appreciated
The unknown does not bother me, nor quell
my peace. This life’s unfolding, unabated.
I don’t need heaven- you can keep your hell.

If “Let’s pretend” placates you, rings your bell
and banishes unfounded fears created
by preachers touting everlasting hell,
and brings you peace, please believe, be placated.
Religions I can’t sell.

© Lawrencelaot – July 31, 2013

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Retourne

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Like so many other French forms, the Retourne is all about repetition. It contains four quatrains and each line has eight syllables.
(16 lines, 8/8/8/8)
The trick is that the first stanza’s second line must also be the second stanza’s first line, the first stanza’s third line is the third stanza’s first, and the first stanza’s fourth line is the fourth stanza’s first.
Retournes do not have to rhyme. (rhyme optional)
Example Poem
Abandoned
I’d loved her only all my life.
She found another to her taste.
She left me– I now have no wife.
New city, no friends; joys erased.
She found another to her taste.
I begged, pleaded, asked her to stay
“I miss you, come back! what a waste,
keeping your lover is okay.”
She left me– I now have no wife.
Anquish bestirred me. I tried drink.
But quit to give my boys a life.
Work, feed the boys, cry, try to think.
New city, no friends; joys erased.
It took a long while, ‘ere I tried
to date– I was feeling disgraced
How could I ever lose my bride?
© Lawrencealot – April, 2012
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