Streambed's Ripple

Streambed's Ripple a form created by Lillibet known on Allpoetry as Streambed.

It is:

Stanzaic: Written in 3 ten line stanzas

Syllabic: 10/8/10/8/10/10/10/8/10/8

Refrain:  Requires the last half of L5 to repeat in each stanza

Rhymed: xaxaBbxaxa xcxcBbxcxc xdxdBbxdxd

Metric: Written in iambic tetrameter and iambic trimeter

Example poem

Love's Corset     (Streambed's Ripple)

For centuries we have believed

the attributes of form

as they relate to motherhood

ought be considered norm.

So bind yourself with stays and lace

before you paint or rouge your face.

For parturition hips must be

expanded, round and warm.

The breasts to suckle one or more

are ample to conform.

A standard then however wrought

in western cultures seem

to drive the fashion engines to

promote this female scheme.

So women then with stays and lace

constrict themselves so men will chase.

But girls have found and boys have too

that essence reigns supreme,

and being kind and being true

is what will fuel love's dream.

Once one is found to share your heart,

then regulate your mind

and recognize that devotion

provides the stays that bind.

I'll bind my love with stays and lace

to make sure romance stays in place

and corset non-complying thoughts

and set them far behind.

For nothing fits the human soul

like lovers so aligned.

© Lawrencealot - April 19, 2014

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Meisenheimer's Sestet

This form was created by Glenn Meisenheimer, aka gmcookie on Allpoetry.

It is stanzaic consisting of two or more stanzas.

It is syllabic, each stanza being a sestet of 11/8/11/11/11/8 syllables.

It is metrical, with the long lines consisting of three anapestic feet and an iamb, and each short line consisting of two anapestic feet and an iamb.

Rhyme pattern:  xabbba

My Example

April 7th Phone Call     (Meisenheimer's Sestet)

And what was the promise that went unfulfilled,

and why did it happen like that?

You promised to cherish, to love and obey

I promised the same yet you left me one day

and none of my pleas could persuade you to stay

so home with my two boys I sat.

But one time you tried to rejoin me and them;

by then I was slightly involved.

I'd promised another to be her escort

one day to a wedding as symbol of sorts.

I'd told you I'd promised and could not abort-

one day! then the problem'd be solved.

One day was too much for your too needy heart

I think you’d expected I'd stay

and forget a promise for now things were changed.

I couldn't and wouldn't get things rearranged

so after a month we were newly estranged.

You took our girls; you went away.

And what was the promise that went unfulfilled,

that caused you to call me last night?

You're dying and know it and facing the end,

have mem'ries to reckon with, fences to mend.

You know I still love you and think you my friend.

I wish that could make it alright.

© Lawrencealot - April 8, 2014

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Wounded Couplet

This is a form invented by Lillibet, aka Streambed on Allpoetry.

This form contains within its rhyming pattern, two couplets, one of which seems wounded, and is wrapped by four other lines, hence some rationale for its name.

It is stanzaic, consisting of any number of octains.

It is syllabic 10/10/6/10/10/10/10/10

It is metric, using iambic meter.

It is rhymed, the pattern being: abccbadd

Example Poem

Elixir     (Wounded Couplet)

My lover went a wandering I think

for he believes that magic will restore

his potency and verve.

He wants to play around is all.  What nerve!

He claims he's seeking mermaids by the shore

to find for him an elixir to drink.

Which beats testosterone in every way

whenever fortitude comes into play.

The tavern called the "Wharf" is near the beach

and frequently young barmaids catch his eye

(which seldom scans the shore.)

Perhaps it's just the scanty clothes they wore.

I guess he'll look for fairies by and by.

The man's intent let's try not to impeach.

If elixir's at home in foaming glass

he'll need a test, and's sure to make a pass.

I figured then that two could play that game

so put on fairy costume with a mask

and strode into the bar.

The men's reactions  bordered on bizarre.

I had five drinks and didn't have to ask,

But all their pick-up lines were truly lame.

When sitting, my costume revealed my thighs,

which seemed to be a magnet for the guys.

My lover was among the gazing flock,

He leered at me with barely hidden lust.

His fairy had appeared.

The absence of a potion was not feared,

as his eyes roamed from ankles up to bust.

His codpiece was enlarged, and not with socks.

The elixir was visual nothing more.

Adventure comes to men when they explore.

I saw some girls were equally entranced

with fairy wings and panty showing skirt,

and thus I tweaked my plan

and this is how my fairy tale began.

I planned and schemed and still had time to flirt

and with each wink I found my plan enhanced.

With stealth each girl departed then came back

prepared to mount our fairy tale attack.

Each girl returned in fairy tale attire

and each in turn gave their farewell that night

then walked out to the sea.

We danced and splashed and shared a fine esprit

and spoke of fairy kings and mortal's plight

and all the fantasy the men require.

My lover saw his fairies on the beach

but all of us were well beyond his reach.

When I got home light hues announced the dawn.

my drunken lover was unconscious yet.

He needed all his sleep.

As planned, his dreams were bothersome and deep.

He woke and pulled me close and said, "Annette,

It frightened me when last night you were gone.

It gave me pause and gave me cause to grieve.

I'll not again go chasing make believe."

© Lawrencealot - April 14, 2014

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Streambed Quintet

This is a form created by Streambed of Allpoetry.

It is Stanzaic, consisting of two or more quintets.

Each stanza is syllabic 7/4/5/3/5

Rhyme pattern: aabba

Example Poem

Advice to a Freshman     (Streambed Quintet)

If you come upon a maid

who's unafraid

and has a yearning

for learning,

please don't act too staid.

If perfume arouses you,

and bodice view

portends a measure

of pleasure

it just could be true.

If she pulls you close to kiss

don't be remiss,

she's not awaiting

dull dating,

act, don't reminisce.

© Lawrencealot - March 28, 2014

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Double Seven

This interesting form was created by Lisa La Grange of Allpoetry.

It is stanzaic, consisting of any number of quatrains.

Each quatrain will have its own abab rhyme pattern,

Where the a-rhymes will always be feminine.

It is isosyllabic, each line being seven syllable.

It is metric, each line having two metric feet, the first foot being four syllables, and the second foot being three syllables.

The a-rhyme lines consist of a secundus paeon + an amphibrach: da DUM da da / da DUM da

The b-rhyme lines consist of a tertius paeon + an anapest

 da da DUM da / da da DUM

So the meter of a stanza is thus:

da DUM da da da DUM da

da da DUM da, da da DUM

da DUM da da da DUM da

da da DUM da da da DUM

Example Poem

Just-Married(Double Seven)

I wonder if the bridegroom

has accepted yet the fact

that access to the bathroom

will be science, inexact.

I she wants to go shopping

and he's planned a poker game,

I think that he'll be copping

friends a plea they'll know is lame.

But he may find his laundry

looks much better than before

and find there is no quandary

for it's him she does adore.

© Lawrencealot - February 24, 2014

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Where the red letters indicate lines with feminine rhyme.

Trochetta

The Trochetta, created by Lisa La Grange of Allpoetry.

Stanzaic,              three or more quatrains

Syllabic,               8/5/8/5

Rhyme pattern:  abab (a-rhymes are feminine)

Meter:                  trochaic

My Example poem

Puppy Dreams     (Trochetta)

Dogs do dream I have a notion-

dreams of pleasant things.

Mine can't dream about the ocean

nor the pomp of kings.

Ocean's spray he's not discovered,

royalty's abstract!

Grizzy burrows under covers

firm against my back.

Twitches might mean he is running

after his green ball;

Maybe he's supine and sunning

waiting for my call.

© Lawrencealot - February 22, 2014

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Trochee LaGrange

This is a form created by Lisa La Grange of Allpoetry
It is stanzaic, consisting of two or more quatrains
It is syllabic, 8/5/8/5
It is metric, all lines beginning with a trochee and an anpest,
And followed on the long lines with an amphibrach, giving this pattern:
DUM da da da DUM da  DUM da
DUM da da da DUM
DUM da da da DUM da DUM da
DUM da da da DUM
The rhyme scheme is abab, where the a-rhymes are feminine.

My Sample Poem

Let 'Em Grump     (Trochee LaGrange)

Finding not a single reason

happiness need wait,

I'll use this and every season

piling up my plate.

Stack it up with cheer and grinning,

spread it all around.

There lies our short-cut to winning-

let gloom have no ground.

Steer your bark with fear behind ye-

hope now in control.

Gloominess should never find ye

Let it disappear.

Grumpiness is stultifying

'ceptting for to view.

Sometimes it is satis fying

watching others spew.

Standing clear of doom forecasting

every chance you find

fosters a calm health that's lasting,

favoring your mind.

© Lawrencealot - February 17, 2014

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Pentibrach

It is so named because of the unique metric foot proposed by

its creator Glenn Meisenheimer, known on Allpoetry as gmcookie.

He proposed a five syllable metric foot with only the center syllable being accented.  Because of its resemblance to an amphibrach with

And unaccented syllable affixed to each end, I named this the pentibrach.   If scholars find a precedent we will of course bow to an established usage.

The poem is stanzaic, consisting of at least two quatrains.

It is syllabic: 10/9/10/7

It uses external rhyme, rhyming the last line of each stanza. (xxxa)

I realize there are alternative options to provide a metric schema, but I shall use the authors own presentation, and define here the metric feet to be used:

The pentibrach:             da da DUM da da

The secundus paeon:    da DUM da da

The iamb:                        da DUM

Each stanza is formed thus:

L1 & L3      two pentibrach feet

L2               a pentibrach followed by a secundus paeon

L4               a pentibrach followed by an iamb   

The author's original poem.

Kandahar

As the shadows fall and the daylight fades

And the owl flirts with the whippoorwill,

In that twilight time when the nightingale

Sings his love songs to the stars,

You will find me here in the umbral dark

As I wend through trees and monuments,

In the gloaming dusk when the sunlight fades

And when Jupiter joins Mars.

It is only then, from this cursed ground,

There is strength in my soliloquy,

As I raise my voice on the evening breeze

And I sing my ghost-thin bars.

It's an ancient tune yet a timely one

Of a sailor washed ashore near here

Who was buried deep in this Christian soil

Far away from Kandahar.

My Attempt at one:

Entranced     (Pentibrach)

As she stretched her arms to the morning's dim

and her curvature delighted me

 I assumed that I'm just a blessed guy

who was honored here by chance.

The is nothing that would predict that I

should be met on earth by goddesses

or be catered to by the likes of her. 

Don't awake me from this trance.

© Lawrencealot - February 15, 2014

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Anaduo

This is an invented form created by Lisa La Grange of Allpoetry.com.

It is Stanzaic, composed of any number of sestets

It is Syllalbic 11/11/8/11/11/8

Meter: All lines are acephalous* anapestic

              The long lines are anapestic tetrameter

              The short lines are anapestic trimeter

Rhyme Scheme:  aabccb

*Acephalous = headless, lacking its first syllable

Example Poem:

Chased by a Cloud     (Anaduo)

Below the horizon, beneath where I stand

the streets of a city lie quilting the land.

It's there that I work and I live.

I set out today, with no purposeful aim

My nose led my feet; up the mountain I came

for nature has beauty to give.

Just barely, below me the sounds I can hear

of traffic and people who don't know I'm here.

I view what's so rarely allowed.

I've climbed here before and I've stayed overnight

but never been treated to quite such a sight.

I'm proud to be chased by a cloud.

© Lawrencealot - January 30, 2014

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Trifrain

This is a form created by Lisa LaGrange on Allpoetry.com

It is Stanzic, consisting of any number of quatrains.

It is isosyllabic, eight syllables per line.

It is metered, generally iambic tetameter, but not limited thereto.

It has a repetition (Refrain) requirement

Except for the refrain, which is the first 4 syllable of line one, repeated twice as line 4, it requires mono-rhyme.

Rhyme pattern: aaaR 

Note: Added 2/23/2014:

The Trifrain is a new form that I added to this blog in January 2014, which is so very like a Monotetra (created in 2003), that I have been contacted with the following message: I think you should be careful when giving credit to a poet for creating a poetic form. You documented that Lisa LaGrange created a new form called a "Trifrain". She now insists that it's her form when in actuality it's nothing more than a modified Monotetra created years ago by: Michael Walker.

I agree with the statement that is it nothing more than a modified Monotetra, but it is just that – modified.  It adds the REQUIREMENT of a REFRAIN (While dropping the requirement of MONO-RHYME.)

Lisa could well have simply credited her writing as  such a modification, without giving it a name.  But now we have a label we can refer to if we wish to write this style. 

My dilemma, is that I cannot unilaterally decide that the new requirements are insufficient to allow a new name.  Many sonnet forms were invented with merely a change of rhyme pattern, etc…

But I definitely can and will give credit to the inspiring poet upon whose shoulders one is standing.

Example poem:

Nap Time     (Trifrain)

I need a nap to clear my head 

that happens when I go to bed 

to sleep instead, well just instead. 

I need a nap. I need a nap. 

My tasks await, I can't delay 

my puppy sez it's time to play 

my wife wants barking far a way. 

My tasks await. My tasks await. 

I'll get things done I'll catch up soon 

I'll still have all this afternoon 

but with my muse I must commune. 

I'll get things done. I'll get things done. 

My head is clear. I took a nap 

with puppy cuddled in my lap 

I'm better now, My nap's a wrap. 

My head is clear. My head is clear. 

© Lawrencealot - January 30, 2014

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This template shows iambic tetrameter.

Tri-Duet

This form was created by Willam J. Reed IV, writing on Allpoetry as BluesMan.

The author provided no other specifications than that the poem must consist of six or more tercets, but in his sample poem the first two lines were shorter than the third.

Rhyme pattern aab ccb dde ffe ggh iif

For my template I have use tri-meter and tetrameter, generally iambic.

THIS IS NOT A NEW rhyme pattern but merely a treatment of either the Alouette, or the form we call the Bush Ballad Meter. Both of which use the same rhyme pattern and line length differentiation, but in sestets as opposed to tercets.

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LaJemme

The LaJemme is a 5 stanza form created by poets Laura Lamarca and Jem Farmer.

Syllalbic:          10/10/10/10  8/8/8/6 8/8/8/6  10/10/10/10  10/10/10/10

End Rhyme Pattern:  abab cdfe gfdf hihi abab

Cross-rhyme required and interleaved rhyme required.

Expanded rhyme pattern:

 a(ab)(ba)(ab)(dc)(cd)(fe)(ef)g(gf)(fd)(df)h(hi)(ih)(hi)a(ab)(ba)(ab)

Where the first letter in parentheses is syllable 4, the second is end rhyme.

Meter: consistently iambic

As stated by the inventors:

Stanza 1, 10 syllables per line, Rhyme scheme abab, 4th syllable of each line is to rhyme with the end rhyme of the preceding line.

Stanza 2, syllable count: 8/8/8/6, Rhyme scheme cdef, with cross rhymes in each couplet on 4th syllable

Stanza 3, syllable count 8/8/8/6, Rhyme scheme gfdf, 4th syllable of each line follows the same rule as stanza 1.

Stanza 4, 10 syllables per line, Rhyme scheme hihi, 4th syllable of each line is to rhyme with the end rhyme of the preceding line.

Stanza 5, 10 syllables per line, Rhyme scheme abab, 4th syllable of each line is to rhyme with the end rhyme of the preceding line.

Note: I would have been much happier if the poets had required cross-rhyme in both short line stanzas, for sake of elegance and consistency.

Example poem.

Celeste     (LaJemme)

She comes some nights from mists beyond the sea

and sings to me the songs of sirens lore.

Notes float ashore in tones of upper C

that guarantee a mortal won't ignore.

I'm driven then to leave my wife

and leave my life behind again

and simply go as lemmings do.

This much is true, you know.

The amber glow within her eyes

would not surprise a wizard though

they do bestow control that men

succumb to when they glow.

She uses me to quench her mortal thirst

and from the first I've risen to her game.

I cannot tame the fires for she's well versed

and has rehearsed her wiles to much acclaim.

Her origin remains a mystery

It's plain to see she's easy to adore

and wanting more, to me comes naturally

I heed her plea and dance to her sweet score.

© Lawrencealot - December 19, 2014

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Impressionist

The Impressionist form was invented by Pamela Santini, writing on AllPoetry as Stands_In_Awe

It is a nine stanza poem

It is syllabic.

 The first eight stanzas consist of both a four and five syllable line, in either order, followed by a "quip" of one or two words limited to three syllables.

The final stanza consists of a pair of four syllable lines each followed by one of the "quips" previously used.

Example Poem

Unselfish Selfies

He wants to see some

more of me, I'm

Supposing.

The pic goes with the

sexting that I'm

composing.

So my face is not

all that I'll be

exposing.

Several simple

sexy selfies I'm

enclosing.

Exactly what I'll

show I'm not now

disclosing.

But I'll bet my butt

it keeps him from

dozing,

stimulates and moves

him closer to

proposing.

I'll sign myself, "all

yours, with love", in

closing.

Selfies work when

Exposing;

that's what girls are

supposing.

© December 16, 2014

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Note: Either the first or the second line

of each tercet may have five syllables.

Behrquain

A shaped form invented by Madison Shaw, aka Arkbear on Allpoetry
with syllable count
2-4-6-8-6-4-2-4-6-8-6-4-2-4-6-8-6-4-2-4-6-8-6-4-2-4-6-8-6-4-2
form should be centered with care given to appearance.

Example Poem

Fake It

!!

Fake it

'til you make it

is an axiom that

will amaze you with its results.

Pick any skill you want

to master and

try it.

From braiding string

to throwing clay, just do

it like you already knew how.

First effort might not please,

but soon they  will.

Fake it.

If you are glum

but glum you wish to quit,

act happy.  Happy you'll  become.

It sounds a bit simplistic, but don't doubt

my word on this!  This works with other folks about.

You'll  change the room; pretense has so much clout.

You can pollute a fun room too

if you aren’t mad and that's

what want to do

Fake it.

I used to have

to think and think to find

a proper rhyme, so simply used

made-up words, and talked like

doctor Seuss or

Mother

Goose.   Less than a

week of that, and rhyming

was so natural my life may

be at risk from deranged

wife.  Maybe don't

Fake it.

!!

© Lawrencealot - May 31, 2012

Double Swap Octet

This form was invented by D.D.Michaels writing at Allpoetry.com.

1. Begin with any octet with any rhyme scheme and meter. 
2. Break lines 1 and 4 into segments which can be broken in concert with that rhyme scheme.
3. Swap Line 1 to Line eight, after reversing those aforementioned sections
4. Swap Line 4 to Line seven in the same manner.

Example Poem

Written in iambic pentameter with rhyme scheme: ababcdcd

Let's Write a Double Swap Octet

A double swap octet let us now pen.

I built the first with one swap, not too bright.

So I am back right now to try again.

It helps if your instructor  gets it right.

Pen line four right after one, prevent yelps

from finding it won't rhyme the way it's set.

If your instructor gets it right it helps.

Let us now pen a double swap octet.

By just lines one and four,  all rhymes are set.

I've set those words in red to ring like chimes.

Now you write wonderfully, without regret.

At the end or at the break, place the rhymes.

Remember line sequence for heaven's sake.

Then unlike me, you won't louse up the score.

Place the rhymes at the end, or at the break.

All rhymes are set by just lines one and four.

© Lawrencealot  -  May 3, 2012

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Double Swap Ottava

An Octet,  Rhyme: abababcc,  Meter: Iambic Pentameter
This is a form invented by Discoveria, of Allpoetry.com

The form has an Ottava Rima framework in which the sections of the first line are swapped to become the last line of the stanza, thus creating a Swap Ottava.

A Double Swap Ottava
requires that technique to be applied to two of the early lines, normally Line 1 and 2, to become the closing couplet of the octet.


Minimum length 8 Lines, no maximum
Meter: Iambic pentameter
Rhyme: ababaabcc


Example Poem

Social Schism (Double Swap Ottava)

Some do less, some do more to help the whole.
all members knew the score when tribes were small.
Great hunters, all the members would extoll.
Their prowess was a benefit for all.
The tribes were healthy when each played their role,
Our tribe will fail if no one heeds that call.
When tribes were small all members knew the score.
To help the whole,  some do less, some do more.

  © Lawrencealot - January 2, 2013


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Harrisham Rhyme

This form consists of a six-line rhyming stanza.
In this form, the last letter of the first word of each line
is the first letter of the first word of next line.
Rhyming scheme : ababab.
There is no restriction on the starting letter of the first line.
No restriction upon line length or meter.
Invented by:  Harrisham Minhas

Example Poem

Stuck?              (Harrisham Rhyme)

Deoppilate exsuflicate concerns.

Enter some eximous and friendly verse 

removing problem words that meter spurns.

Get stuck during day?  Then try the reverse. 

Try to dinurate 'til the muse returns.

Yet a geck? Oh what the heck?  I've done worse.

 © Lawrencealot - March 2, 2013


*Deopillate - remove an obstruction
*Exsuflicate - "something which is silly or trifling"
*Eximous "choice or excellent"
* Dinurate - sleep during the day
* Geck - 2. An object of scorn; a dupe; a gull


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