Gregory's Refrain

This is a poetry form invented in 2008 by Gregory James, writing on Allpoetry.com as Psydewaystears

The poem is Stanzaic, consisting of three or more octets.

Syllable: 8/7/8/7/7/7/7/7

Rhyme: ababxcxc

Refrain: Lines  5 through 7, first four syllables

The Refrain is required for the majority of the stanzas.

Meter:  long lines generally: Anapest,Iamb,Anapest  (da da DUM da DUM da da DUM)

                             Other lines: Anapest,Iamb,Iamb         (da da DUM da DUM da DUM)

Note: These specifications were derived and interpreted by myself, and the meter particularly is not hard and fast, but serves only as the normal guideline.

Example Poem

Take Bites        (Gregory's Refrain)

When the task you have before you

seems too large for just one man

just remember there's one more view

to describe your total plan.

Do a little bit right now

Do a little more today

Save a little for tomorrow

it's more doable that way.

When your tea's much too hot to drink

you don't throw it all away,

you just wait a while I would think.

come back later, it's okay.

While you're waiting check your mail,

While you're waiting make a call,

While you're waiting tidy up.

Oh, that tea-- you've drunk it all.

When the trellis stands starkly bare

though it wants to be embraced

it just waits, and does not despair.

and soon vines will kiss its face.

The vine pushes through the earth.

The vine pushes up the wall,

The vine pushes every day,

up the trellis proud and tall.

While the Mona Lisa looks fit,

I hear Leonardo deigned

it unfinished, he never quit

in the doing much was gained.

Just do part of what you figure

is the task ahead of you

even though you never finish

when you're done the job is through.

© Lawrencealot - August 28, 2013

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