Poetry Forms : Double Refrain Ballade

Monday, January 20, 2014

This is identical to the Ballade, except that both Lines 4 and 8 from the first stanza become refrains in succeeding stanzas.

The rhyme scheme is: abaBbcbC

abaBbcbC

bBcC

Example Poem

Courtroom Follies ( Double Refrain Ballade)

"She had three kids I understand,

were any of those children male?"?

"No." "Were they girls?" (I won't expand.)

Let's hope that logic will prevail.

Describe the person at the jail-

"Quite bald but with much facial hair."

"Was he a male or a female?"

These questions have been asked, I swear.

"What gear were you in," came the demand?

"at impact?" he asked from the rail.

A shirt and Gucci sweats, my man."

Let's hope that logic will prevail.

I wasn't drinking Ginger ale,

it was just Ginger's Ale I'd share

i drove 'cus couldn't walk so well.

These questions have been asked, I swear.

"Where did the helicopter land?"

"Near marker three, right near the trail."

"do you know where that is offhand?"

Let's hope that logic will prevail.

"'Tween marker two and four as well."

You must set forth question with care

for some folks have strange tales to tell.

These questions have been asked, I swear.

So ask a friend to post your bail.

Let's hope that logic will prevail.

And take along clean underwear.

These questions have been asked, I swear.

Related forms: Ballade, Ballade Stanza, Ballade Supreme, Double Ballade, Chanso, Double Ballade Supreme, Double Refrain Ballade, Double Refrain Ballade Supreme, Grand Ballade or Chant Royal.

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