Quatern

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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