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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Brevette

The Brevette

The Brevette, created by Emily Romano consists of a subject (noun), verb, and object (noun), in this exact order. The verb should show an ongoing action. This is done by spacing out the letters in the verb. There are only three words in the poem, giving it the title Brevette. 

snail

l e a k s

slime

Each of the three words may have any number of syllables, but it is desireable that the poem have balance in the choice of these words. Unlike haiku, there are no other rules to follow.

Example #1:

rainbow
r a d i a t e s
spectrum

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

erosion

r e - c r e a t e s

landscape

death

c h a s e s

life

Tercou

This form was inventented by  Amanda J. Norton 

It is syllabic 5/4/5  5/4/5  8/6

Rhyme pattern  aba aba aa

No meter is required.

First Tercet 

line1 : 5 syllables

line2: 4syllables

line3: 5 syllables

Rhyme scheme AbA

Second Tercet 

line1 : 5 syllables

line2: 4syllables

line3: 5 syllables

Rhyme scheme AbA

Couplet 

Line 1: 8 syllables

Line 2: 6 syllables 

Rhyme Scheme  AA 

Must Be Center Aligned 

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The meter shown is NOT required.

Ukiah

The Ukiah is frequently referred to as the Reverse Haiku

I figured there was no better source for describing this form than it's Inventor, Robert Ropars, so here it is.

A modest proposal – a new form of poetry the “ukiah”

A modest proposal – a new form of poetry the “ukiah”

Posted in On  July 4, 2009 by robertropars.

We who write, and write poetry specifically, know the haiku. A challenging form, it requires the writer to create a poem as follows:

Traditionally, this Japanese form is best done in such a way that it’s an expression of zen. Often nature-based, the haiku could have multiple meanings/interpretations so part of the enjoyment is finding the meaning in this simple elegant form of poetry.

My idea is the opposite of the haiku. I was thinking it should be a “Roparsku” but my lack of ego (and my very wise girlfriend) kept me grounded. So since I’m talking about the opposite, then reversed it would a “Ukiah.” Now searching around online I see some people have played with variations (calling this a “reverse haiku”), but only changed the syllabic construction. I think a true “reversal” would also take into account the rhyme aspect. In addition, this adds an extra level of challenge to the endeavor.

It would be composed of:

•3 lines in length

•rhyming

•lines 1 and 3 contain 7 syllables

•line 2 contains 5 syllables

Haiku example:

Winds blowing lightly

Leaves whispering in the dark

Stars twinkling above

Ukiah example:

Leaves are drifting in the night

The stars are so bright

Shivering I hold you tight

What do you think? Crazy? Stupid? Fun? Challenging? Try it out and leave me your best examples as comments.

There you go folks, you can respond to the poet at the link below.T

Pasted from <http://robertropars.wordpress.com/tag/reverse-haiku/>

Related Forms: Alphabet Haiku,  Crystalline,  Haibun,  Haiga,  Haiku,  Haikuette,  Kimo, Lune, Pixiku, Rhaiku, Sijo, Ukiah, Zip

Trinet

The Trinet, created by zion, is a form with these specifications:

Line 1 - 2 words

Line 2 - 2 words

Line 3 - 6 words

Line 4 - 6 words

Line 5 - 2 words

Line 6 - 2 words

Line 7 - 2 words

Repeat this pattern 2 more times, if centered correctly it looks like three crosses.

Rhyme and meter unspecified.

Example Poem

Day at the Marina

Warm sun

kids run

playing excitedly on expanse of green.

Teaching sister how drown wiggly worms.

Folks watch

with smiles

from shade.

Picnic treats

cooler filled

with drinks and potato  salad, ice;

basket holds other things as nice:

Fried chicken

potato chips

yummy dips.

Let's stay

all day

is the kid's refrain. Indefatigable they

remain.  Wish parents were that way.

Having fun

is tiring,

Is'nt it?

© Lawrencealot - May 12, 2013

Ridotto

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.

Pasted from <http://allpoetry.com/contest/2603301-RIDOTTO_A_new_rhyme-and-meter_form_>

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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15-10 Alternating

A poem where 15 syllable stanzas which begin with an anapest foot and having couplet rhyme

alternate with 10 syllable iambic stanzas with cross rhyme.

Rhyme Pattern: aabb cdcd

I first saw this used by Jeff Green but have no ideas if is already a name form/

Example Poem

Constitutional Deficiency

A democracy cannot endure when gimme people learn

that they can persuade their reps to confiscate what others earn.

This was first proclaimed by Tytler, then Alexis de Tocqueville

The right to direct one's earnings is in fact what makes one free.

My liberal friends think as I once did,

that government should cure whatever's wrong.

I recognized my error as a kid.

Someone must pay the piper for his song.

We've had only one elected man at top who truly tried

to impede the juggernaught we've wrought but could not hold the tide.

To defend our nation, use its strength to minimize abuse

are enough, but power wants more growth and leaps to find excuse.

The Tytle Cycle must run its full course.

Our try died not from faulty prior design.

We'll work for masters like the noble horse.

The blame my friends is really yours and mine.

© Lawrencealot - Feb. 7, 2013

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