This form was
invented by Thomas Horton of Allpoetry.
It's called a
RIDOTTO, from the Italian for "reduced." In a ridotto, you
choose a number of syllables for your first line (x). Your second line
should be a perfect rhyming couplet with one more syllable (x+1). The
third line takes on a new rhyme, and has one fewer syllable than the first one
(x-1). Line four rhymes with line 3, and has one fewer syllable (x, or
[x-1]+1). This continues until the poem is reduced to a couplet of one
syllable followed by two.
Here's an example:
FIRST KISS (a ridotto)
The
way the soft light broke
----> (6)
Through
the branches of the oak ----> (7)
Gave
the day a
glow
----> (5)
That
you and I would
know
----> (6)
Brought
to an
end
----> (4)
Our
time to
pretend
----> (5)
And
we
shared
----> (3)
Though
we were
scared
----> (4)
Desire
----> (2)
Like
a
fire
----> (3)
Rife
----> (1)
With
life
----> (2)
©
Thomas Horton, All Rights Reserved.
You may start with
any number of syllables you like; as such, the poem may be of any length, as
long was the second line of each rhyming couplet has one more syllable than the
first line, and the first line of each subsequent couplet has one fewer syllable
than the first line of the previous couplet.
Near rhymes don't
count; all end-rhymes should be full/strong/masculine.
I have re-phrased
the instructions thus:
1. Pen a line with
any number of syllables.
2. For the next
line, add one syllable and rhyme with the preceding line.
3. Subtract two
syllables and choose a new rhyme word.
4. For the next
line, add one syllable and rhyme with the preceding line.
Repeat instructions
1 thru 4 until you compose a two syllable line.
Rhyme pattern aabbccddee..etc
No metric
requirement.
Example Poem
Sapience
To students I've become a bore!
Sapience has chilled me to my core.*
Their indifference dismays.
They only seek their peers' okays.
A poem's nothing neat
compared to sexting or tweet.
What set me aglow
they'll never learn or know.
They are not taught
to pursue true thought
A drone's job
will suit the mob.
Oh well
What the hell?
So
I know?
(c) Lawrencealot - May 15, 2013
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