Tag Archives: streambed

SonnetyRondel

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This is a form invented by Lisa Morris, aka Streambed on Allpoetry.

Streambed is so grounded in sonnetry, that it spills over into most everything she writes, but in this case she has decided to become mischievous and play in the muddied waters of Roundeaus and Rondels as well. The SonnetyRondel might better be described as a SonnetyRondeau because this form uses the rentrement or first phrase of L1 as a refrain rather than the full line as in the Rondel.

  • Stanzaic: Three quatrains
  • Metric: Iambic pentameter and di-meter
  • Rhyme Scheme: abaB baaB abaB|
  • Refrained

Streambed’s Example

SonnetyRondel

My Heart is True

My heart is true and ever will be so;
it murmurs love in words, which always new
pour from this ink, and catch you in their flow;
my heart is true.

I know the richness and the truths of you
and listen to your sighs when they ache low
and all your desert’s storming sandy blow.
My heart is true.

The years to come will ease the pain you know
with tenderness, which took deep root and grew
while beauty then, we’ll cultivate and sow;
my heart is true.

© Lisa Morris

My Example

SonnetyRondel

You Know My Mind

You know my mind and always think of me;
and even when my acts may seem unkind,
you know I never meant for them to be,
you know my mind.

You know the warts and flaws you’ll sometimes find
that other people simply cannot see,
and disregard them – how sweet love can be!
You know my mind.

I’m sure I know at least a thing or three –
and love is thoughtful, if it is not blind!
You tolerate my spontaneity.
You know my mind.

© Lawrence Eberhart – July 4, 2016

Gemstone

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This is a form invented by Lisa Morris , aka Streambed on Allpoetry.

  • It is a 32 line poem made up of four 8 line stanzas.
  • Each stanza consists of 5 iambic tetrameter lines, and 3 iambic trimeter lines
  • The Rhyme pattern for each stanza is ababccba (with independent rhyme)
  • Meter: Lines 2,4, and 7 are iambic trimeter, the rest are iambic tetrameter.
  • The form map is:
    • 8 A
    • 6 B
    • 8 A
    • 6 B
    • 8 C
    • 8 C
    • 6 B
    • 8 A

Streambed’s Introduction:

I believe this is a new form; if you know of it from somewhere else, please give me a link and I will include the information. It is named after the poem I created it for: “The Gemstone” below.

Streambed’s Example

Form: Gemstone

The Gemstone

She kept a gemstone hid away,
once given, at a ball,
because she feared her mother’s say;
she’d force the man to call.
She hid it in her silks and floss
beneath the chest’s enameled gloss,
and underneath it all
the gemstone there in splendor lay.

She took it out when nights were still
and held it to her breast,
which surely was the man’s first will
when they had kissed, caressed.
It felt so cool against her skin;
she wished for his strong eyes again
and then she was distressed
and paced before her window sill.

He said he’d claim her as his bride
before the year was out,
and on this word she had relied,
but now she had her doubts.
The heiress of a large estate
with many, many hearts in wait
and many gifts to tout
was seen with him, out on a ride.

She laid her trust down in the drawer;
the facets, too, were there,
and in her mind, she heard the roar
of dancing in his care.
That night might be all that they had,
and if it was, her heart was glad
the gem he chose to share;
for it too sparked within its core.

© Lisa Morris

My Example

Form: Gemstone

Chivalry

I chose to honor womankind
as Arthur said we must.
They may be common or refined
but chivalry they trust.
They often can and will beguile;
they were designed to make men smile.
They promise more than lust;
they nurture using heart and mind.

For man there ought to be one maid
eclipsing all the rest
and she need never be afraid
when he’s put to the test.
I’m a man who loves them all,
the thin, the fat, the short and tall;
mankind is so well blessed
with diverse beauty, so arrayed.

A young man is not always smart
when wooing just for sport.
He’ll take a trollop or a tart
and happily consort.
No harm is done to either one
if both agree it’s just for fun.
Take care! Do not distort –
nor trifle with another’s heart.

If chivalry can take control
and lead you through your life
you’ll play a noble happy role
completely free of strife.
You’ll grace the days of maidens fair
creating jealously nowhere;
you’ll please your chosen wife
thereby making two lives whole.

© Lawrencealot – February 15, 2016

Visual template:

Note the use of the acephalous (headless) foot in the final line. Although a volta is not mandated, line 7 seems the proper place should you choose to employ a turn.

Streambed's Ripple poetry form

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Streambed’s Ripple a form created by Lisa Morris known as Streambed on Allpoetry.com

It is:

Stanzaic: Written in 3 ten line stanzas

Syllabic: 10/8/10/8/10/10/10/8/10/8

Refrain:  Requires the last half of L5 to repeat in each stanza

Rhymed: xaxaBbxaxa xcxcBbxcxc xdxdBbxdxd

Metric: Written in iambic tetrameter and iambic trimeter

 

Example poem

Love’s Corset     (Streambed’s Ripple)

For centuries we have believed
the attributes of form
as they relate to motherhood
ought be considered norm.
So bind yourself with stays and lace
before you paint or rouge your face.
For parturition hips must be
expanded, round and warm.
The breasts to suckle one or more
are ample to conform.
A standard then however wrought
in western cultures seem
to drive the fashion engines to
promote this female scheme.
So women then with stays and lace
constrict themselves so men will chase.
But girls have found and boys have too
that essence reigns supreme,
and being kind and being true
is what will fuel love’s dream.
Once one is found to share your heart,
then regulate your mind
and recognize that devotion
provides the stays that bind.
I’ll bind my love with stays and lace
to make sure romance stays in place
and corset non-complying thoughts
and set them far behind.
For nothing fits the human soul
like lovers so aligned.
© Lawrencealot – April 19, 2014

Wounded Couplet poetry form

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This is a form invented by Lisa Morris , aka Streambed on Allpoetry.

This form contains within its rhyming pattern, two couplets, one of which seems wounded, and is wrapped by four other lines, hence some rationale for its name.

It is stanzaic, consisting of any number of octains.
It is syllabic 10/10/6/10/10/10/10/10
It is metric, using iambic meter.
It is rhymed, the pattern being: abccbadd

Example Poem

 

Elixir     (Wounded Couplet)

My lover went a wandering I think
for he believes that magic will restore
his potency and verve.
He wants to play around is all.  What nerve!
He claims he’s seeking mermaids by the shore
to find for him an elixir to drink.
Which beats testosterone in every way
whenever fortitude comes into play.

 

The tavern called the “Wharf” is near the beach
and frequently young barmaids catch his eye
(which seldom scans the shore.)
Perhaps it’s just the scanty clothes they wore
I guess he’ll look for fairies by and by.
The man’s intent let’s try not to impeach.
If elixir’s at home in foaming glass
he’ll need a test, and’s sure to make a pass.

 

I figured then that two could play that game
so put on fairy costume with a mask
and strode into the bar.
The men’s reactions  bordered on bizarre.
I had five drinks and didn’t have to ask,
But all their pick-up lines were truly lame.
When sitting, my costume revealed my thighs,
which seemed to be a magnet for the guys.

 

My lover was among the gazing flock,
He leered at me with barely hidden lust.
His fairy had appeared.
The absence of a potion was not feared,
as his eyes roamed from ankles up to bust.
His codpiece was enlarged, and not with socks.
The elixir was visual nothing more.
Adventure comes to men when they explore.

 

I saw some girls were equally entranced
with fairy wings and panty showing skirt,
and thus I tweaked my plan
and this is how my fairy tale began.
I planned and schemed and still had time to flirt
and with each wink I found my plan enhanced.
With stealth each girl departed then came back
prepared to mount our fairy tale attack.

 

Each girl returned in fairy tale attire
and each in turn gave their farewell that night
then walked out to the sea.
We danced and splashed and shared a fine esprit
and spoke of fairy kings and mortal’s plight
and all the fantasy the men require.
My lover saw his fairies on the beach
but all of us were well beyond his reach.

 

When I got home light hues announced the dawn;
my drunken lover was unconscious yet.
He needed all his sleep.
As planned, his dreams were bothersome and deep.
He woke and pulled me close and said, “Annette,
It frightened me when last night you were gone.
It gave me pause and gave me cause to grieve.
I’ll not again go chasing make believe.”

© Lawrencealot – April 14, 2014
Visual Template

Streambed Quintet poetry form

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This is a form invented by Lillibet Waters, aka Streambed on Allpoetry.

 It is Stanzaic, consisting of two or more quintets.
Each stanza is syllabic 7/4/5/3/5
Rhyme pattern: aabba

Example Poem

 Advice to a Freshman     (Streambed Quintet)

 If you come upon a maid
who’s unafraid
and has a yearning
for learning,
please don’t act too staid. 

If perfume arouses you,
and bodice view
portends a measure
of pleasure
it just could be true.

 

If she pulls you close to kiss
don’t be remiss,
she’s not awaiting
dull dating,
act, don’t reminisce.

© Lawrencealot – March 28, 2014

Visual Template

Rosetti Stanza poetry forms

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This is not a formally named poetry form, but instead a form used by Christina Rossetti, and brought to the attention of Allpoetry poets by Streambed.  I am simply giving forms a name for ease of reference as we play with them.

There are two distinct versions each with a separate syllable and rhyme pattern. Both are syllabic, rhymed sestets, and may stand as one or more stanzazs.

Version 1:  Syllabic 8/6/8/6/4/8, Rhyme Scheme: abaaba
Version 2:  Syllabic 7/6/7/7/6/7, Rhyme Scheme: ababba

Example Poem

As Others See You  (Rossetti Stanza)

If I could give a gift to you, 
to all mankind in fact, 
‘twould be to let you see the view 
of others quite exact 
eschewing tact, 
not colored by some social hue. 

You’d see what causes some to think 
you’re perfectly divine, 
and see the power in your wink 
or fear from a frown line, 
that some may assign 
when face and thought are not in sync.

© Lawrencealot – October 16, 2013

The visual template will clarify:

Coraline poetry form

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This is a form invented by Allpoetry’s Lisa Morris , aka Streambed

It is a modified Italian Octave  with the following specifications. 

The lines are octasyllabic, to be written preferable in iambic tetrameter,

but trochaic tetrameter may be used at the poet’s discretion.

 A poem consists of exactly two  stanzas, each being an octave. (2 octaves)

The rhyme scheme is: abbaccab

 

Example poem
Revised (Coraline)
For years and years I loved one wife
whose sensuality evoked
desire in every word she spoke.
I thought I’d married her for life.
My work demanded much of me
were I to climb the corporate tree;
she coped with kids and household strife
and felt her passion’d been revoked.
So she revoked our marriage vow-
became a vamp and able tease,
and found more men than me to please.
I offered work to disavow,
to change so she would stay with me;
but she enjoyed then being free.
The gloomy skies have brightened now,
a pampered wife sets me at ease.
© Lawrencealot – September 18, 2013
Visual Template (for iambic tetrameter)