Swinburne Octain

This is a refrain poem, the form was one of many un-named forms invented by

Algernon Charles Swinburne (1837-1909).

I  have interpreted the specifications from looking at the work of one of Swinburne's most dedicated students, AP's own Eusebius.

There are at least TWO significant versions of an octain he created.  This first, presented here is  written in iambi meter, the second  written in trochaic.  The is the first:

Rhyming pattern: ABccabAB, where the capital letter indicate verbatim repetition of a line.

The "b" rhymes are all iambic trimeter,  all other lines  are feminine rhymes utilizing footless (or catalectic) iambic tetrameter.

The first stanza, is repeated as the final stanza of the poem, thus it seems sensible that the minimum poem length should be at least four stanzas.

The Trochaic version is written with the

Rhyming pattern: ababcccb

Syllabic: 9/8/9/8/9/9/9/8

The accent is as two trochee feet, an amphibrach and a trochee with all "b" rhymes being catalectic.

Example Poem

The Tart     (Swinburne Octain)

This tart so thin, bewitching, 

with beauty, fay and pale. 

Her tattoos all parading, 

Her ebon curls cascading, 

until I am just itching 

to see her all in Braille. 

This tart so thin, bewitching, 

with beauty, fay and pale. 

She seems an apparition 

both siren myth and tramp, 

who sells her pleasures cheaply 

to those who want her deeply. 

I feel I must audition 

to win time with this vamp. 

She seems an apparition 

both siren myth and tramp, 

Her long smooth legs inviting 

all who may simply glance. 

Though men might once demean her 

they'll dare not come between her 

and one she is inviting. 

Each man would like his chance. 

Her long smooth legs inviting 

all who may simply glance. 

To me she whispered lightly,

"I'll show you realms of love." 

Her word were most insightful 

Her movements were delightful 

I longed to have her nightly 

beneath the moon above. 

To me she whispered lightly,

"I'll show you realms of love." 

This tart so thin, bewitching, 

with beauty, fay and pale. 

Her tattoos all parading, 

Her ebon curls cascading, 

until I am just itching 

to see her all in Braille. 

This tart so thin, bewitching, 

with beauty, fay and pale. 

© Lawrencealot - June 17, 2013

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7/5 Trochee

The 7/5 Trochee, created by Andrea Dietrich, of 2 or more quatrain stanzas with the following set rules:

Meter:  Trochaic
Syllabic: 7/5/7/5

Rhyme Scheme: a/b/c/b  or  a/b/a/b

The meter is trochee, which means alternating stressed and

unstressed beats in each line, with each line beginning and

ending in a stressed syllable. This is a simple lyrical type

little poem, so rhymes will be basic, nothing fancy.

The poem itself should give a description of something of interest to the poet.

There is not a set number of these quatrain type stanzas, 

but a typical 7/5 Trochee would consist of two quatrains,

with the second stanza serving to tie up the idea presented in the first stanza.

Pasted from <http://www.shadowpoetry.com/resources/wip/75trochee.html> 

Example Poem

Nap

Sleeping eight hours every night 

Seems to some devine. 

Choosing such is quite their right. 

Just don't make it mine. 

I will sleep that much or more. 

Taking smaller blocks. 

For in afternoon I snore 

Even wearing socks.

© Lawrencealot -  June 19, 2012

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Chatushka

A Russian Quatrain form. The name derives from the Russian meaning \''to speak fast\''. Covering subject that range across the whole human experience and written in a manner that is usually satirical, ironic or humourous this is the Russian equivalent to theLimerick.

Form Type:           Metrical

Origins:                 Russian

Creator:                Unknown

Number of Lines:  4

Rhyme Scheme:  a,b,a,b or a,b,c,b or a,a,b,b

Meter:                   Trochaic Tetrameter

Rules

1. The form is composed of a single quatrain, though often they are placed together with others in a string, in either case each quatrain is a complete self contained unit.

2. The most common rhyme scheme is a,b,a,b though a,b,c,b is also fairly common. The a,a,b,b rhyme scheme is fairly rare.

3. The form is written using trochaic tetrameter. Though it is common to use catalectic final feet in a line giving a strongly stressed ending.

4. Content wise Chastushkas cover all subjects, though the style is usually satirical, ironic or humourous, tending towards lewd,

5. Traditionally they are recited to music, if they are in a string then there is a musical interlude between them to give the audience time to laugh.

6. Often they are composed on the spur of the moment and used in contests, such Chastushka are highly prized.

Pasted from <http://bensonofjohn.co.uk/poetry/formssearch.php?searchbox=Chastushka> 

Get Back Chicken

Chicken, get back; don’t peck me

For the cleaver in my hand

Just think, could be, soon chopping thee.

Dinner captured, cleaned and panned.

© February 16, 2012

Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen

Written for Poetry Soup Member Contest: Chastushka Form-Russian Poetry 

Example Poems

Three Chastushkas

Mabel's clothing at their feet

under chairs and kitchen table.

Freddy focused not on neat,

Freddy merely wanted Mabel.

Scribbled thoughts upon a napkin

Serve as plans of grand intention.

Dreams without an active effort

freeze in idle cold suspension.

Anxious Arabs show misgiving

watching western people living.

letting females speak their voices

countermanding masters choices. 

© Lawrencealot -  January 23, 2013

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Actually not one of each, I omitted abab!