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 Form Poetry
Challenge yourself to craft a poem using a specific
form. Fitting your thoughts into a strict format can unleash unexpected
creativity.
1. Shakespearean sonnet: • A Shakespearean sonnet follows a certain
rhyme scheme and is also written in iambic pentameter.
• The rhyme scheme is: a-b-a-b, c-d-c-d, e-f-e-f,
g-g.
• Iambic pentameter refers to the syllable
count and syllable stress in each line. Pentameter means that each line
has 5 feet. A metrical foot is a group of 2 or 3 syllables forming the
basic unit of poetic rhythm. In a Shakespearean sonnet, each foot is
made up of a stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable.
Here's an example of a sonnet by William Shakespeare (1564-1616) Notice the rhyme scheme and the syllable stress. You can analyze the meter by reading the line aloud, counting syllables, and noting which syllables are stressed.
• Haiku is a traditional form that challenges
poets to convey a vivid impression in only 17 Japanese characters.
• Many English-speaking poets have used this
form, translating the structure from characters to 3 lines of 5, 7,
and 5 syllables each.
• Each line shows an image. The images in each
line should have a relationship to one another -- either in comparison
or contrast.
Here are some examples of haikus by the Japanese poet Basho Matsuo (1644-1694)
3. Limerick • The rhyme scheme is usually a-a-b-b-a, with
a rigid meter.
• The first, second, and fifth lines are three
metrical feet; the third and fourth are two metrical feet. The rhythm
is usually considered an anapestic foot, which is two short syllables
and then a long syllable.
• The first line traditionally introduces a
person and a location, and usually ends with the name of the location.
A true limerick is supposed to have a twist to it. This may lie in the
final line, or it may lie in the way the rhymes are often intentionally
tortured, or in both.
Here are some examples of limericks:
4. Cinquain • Under the influence of Japanese poetry, the
American poet Adelaide Crapsey developed a poetic form she called "a
cinquain."
• This is a short, unrhymed poem of 22 syllables,
written in 5 lines of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 2 syllables, respectively.
Here are some examples of cinquains by Adelaide Crapsey (1878-1914)
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