Staccato

The Staccato, created by Jan Turner, consists of two or more 6-line stanzas.

Rhyme scheme: a,a,b,b,c,c

*Required internal rhyme scheme interplay between line #1 and line #2 (see below explanation and examples).

Meter:  10, 10, 8, 8, 10, 10

Repeats: This form requires a 2-syllable repeat in Lines #3 and #6 as specified below.

As in a musical notation, The Staccato poetry form uses

short repeats which are abruptly disconnected

elements. The repeat words are read as rapid-fire speech,

such as staccato music when played or sung.

This form lends itself to strong emotion or instruction

(i.e. military poems: “Charge on! Charge on!” etc.),

a declaration (such as of an event: “We’re married!

We’re married!” etc.), an instruction or emphasis of

human emotion (such as love, hate, longing: “Be mine!

Be mine!” etc.), strong observation (such as

“Those eyes! Those eyes!” etc.) or any similar

situation where a strong staccato repeat is desired.

The emphatic two-syllable repeat in this poetry form

is written twice, consecutively, at the beginning of

Line #3 (each repeat in Line #3 is followed by an exclamation mark),

 and once again at the beginning of Line #6

(with or without an exclamation mark in Line #6).

Also, Line #2 requires an internal rhyme scheme that rhymes

with a word within Line #1, usually falling on

the 6th syllable (see examples below), but can fall earlier

in those two lines as long as the internal rhyme

matches the syllabic stress in both lines .

Example Poem

Let's Write a Staccato

A staccato let's write, right here and now.

It's simple, really quite forward, here's how.

Notice! Notice! Internal rhyme

in lines one and two just in time

for a repeated exclamation, yet

notice third repeat may in quiet set.

That inversion my dear, was just for show

to make the rhyme quite clear of course you know.

I know! I know! Poor form to teach

Is most certainly a bad breach.

Since this poem with that err I fetter

I know you, my readers, can do better.

(c) Lawrencealot - September 11, 2012

Visual Template