Daybreak by Tashami AcuraToday's prompt:
Write a poem about a ghost.
Let's try a nonet for this prompt.
A nonet has nine lines. The first line has nine syllables, the second line eight syllables, the third line seven syllables, etc... until line nine that finishes with one syllable. It can be on any subject and rhyming is optional.
line 1 - 9 syllables
line 2 - 8 syllables
line 3 - 7 syllables
line 4 - 6 syllables
line 5 - 5 syllables
line 6 - 4 syllables
line 7 - 3 syllables
line 8 - 2 syllables
line 9 - 1 syllable
Good luck! Don't forget to check back to see who has posted. If you would prefer, it may be posted in the forum.
My last post, a grasshopper poem in Minute form, seemed to appeal to you all. So why not try one yourself...any topic. The Forum is now operational. Place the link to your post there, or the whole poem if you would like. Once you've registered and logged in, click on Upcoming Events and Reply to the Minute Poem assignment post you will find there.
The Minute Poem is a rhyming verse form consisting of 12 lines of 60 syllables written in strict iambic meter. The poem is formatted into 3 stanzas of 8,4,4,4; 8,4,4,4; 8,4,4,4 syllables. The rhyme scheme is as follows:
aabb
ccdd
eeff
An Example:
On fields of green I watch the sky
A flash goes by
Strange blur of green
Across sky seen
It is the grasshopper gone wild
His inner child
Jumping in glee
For all to see
Grasshopper leaps to touch white cloud
He is so proud
To soar so high
And touch blue sky.
Copyright 2007 JO Janoski
The Shadorma contains 6 unrhymed lines with line syllables as follows:
1st line – 3 syllables
2nd line – 5 syllables
3rd line – 3 syllables
4th line – 3 syllables
5th line – 7 syllables
6th line – 5 syllables
An Example:
Autumn Rains
(A Shadorma)
November
floods across my soul
muddy gray
as time takes
lively two steps to winter's
fresh snow-brushed canvas.
Copyright 2006 JO Janoski
A close relative to the Haiku is the Tanka, same form but a little longer. It gives more lines to paint a better picture of your mind's eye. Many poets express emotion in the first two lines, and the next three lines express movement toward what they want you to see.
A tanka is a great way to express yourself in odd moments during the day. Keep a notepad handy and jot down an idea while you're waiting in line or taking a break. React to your surroundings and bring them to life on paper. Try one!
Tanka, no rhyme necessary.
Syllables per line: 5,7,5,7,7
Example:
The Race
Bicycle jewels
Diamond wheels spit silver
Up, down and over
Rollicking hills all hearts beat
to win, just once, just to win.
Copyright 2007 JO Janoski
Before I begin, a word about these poetic forms, I know they are hard. I'm sure you feel the precise, measured meter and rhyme constricts your ability to express yourself. But please hang in there and keep practicing. Beneath the surface, these exercises help you to gain control over your language. Instead of the words seeming in control, pensive and unpredictable, you'll gain dominance over them, learning to sling them around any way you wish, despite their cries for mercy...oops, got carried away there. lol. Well, anyway, the exercises will solidify your poetry. Now on to the septet:
A septet is a seven-line poem with the following number of syllables per line, no rhyme. 3, 5, 7, 9,7, 5, 3.
An example:
Colors blush.
Breathless pink rushing
past bashful blue to morning.
Dangling in space, waiting for hot sun
to warm their pure desires
for simple beauty
just one day.
Copyright 2007 JO Janoski
A Workshop Assignment
Let's try a huitain:
A huitain contains 8 lines, 8 syllables per line
Rhyme Scheme ababbcbc
An Example:
Opening the Gate
Smiling frozen, glaring glass eyes
your face is winter running late.
Silent isolation, good-byes,
my yearning for kisses must wait
for you to remember how fate
prevails when love breaks tender hearts,
opening rigid white dream gates,
setting words free with love-fresh starts.
Copyright 2007 JO Janoski
Okay, after our little foray into hemorrhoids, dental clinics, and sheep, it's time for a more intellectual challenge, a Jozzonet.
The Jozzonet is a Dutch form, developed by Joz Knoop. The Jozzonet has an odd number of lines. The middle line of the poem functions as mirror. It can be any length. Rhyme not necessary.
The Topic for this challenge: Summer Heat OR The Forgotten Road, your choice.
An example:
STORMY WEATHER
Whooshing cascades sweeping motion
in rhythm with thunderous commotion
as electric shocks the world
in a sky painted dismal gray
as electric shocks the world
in rhythm with thunderous commotion
whooshing cascades sweeping motion
Copyright 2006 JO Janoski
Many thanks to Paisley for this suggestion: The Dodoitzu
The Dodoitsu is a fixed folk song form of Japanese origin and is often about love or humor. It has 26 syllables made of of four lines of 7, 7, 7, 5 syllables respectively. It is unrhymed and non-metrical.
Example:
Doctor's Office
Hot, despite white-haired patients
Icicles of silver age
Inching, uncertain small steps
To see the doctor.
...Copyright 2005 JO Janoski
You can be funnier with your poem than my example. I just kind of pulled that out of my files this morning. I wrote it waiting in the doctor's office one day, and I didn't feel so jovial. As usual, post a link to your entry in the comments. Don't forget to leave the URL!
The other challenges are still open, so if you still want to do one, please do. I haven't finished with them myself yet.
A cinquain contains five lines and a total of 22 syllables.An example:
The poem is unrhymed.
This is how you form the cinquain:
Line 1: 2 syllables
Line 2: 4 syllables
Line 3: 6 syllables
Line 4: 8 syllables
Line 5: 2 syllables
Poem Copyright 2006 JO Janoski
Do you have an idea for a prompt? Registered Musecrafters members can post their ideas in the Comment area below and I'll place it in this blog for all to see. To participate, see the box in the lower corner. of this page. You don't need a Musecrafter blog, but you must register as a Musecrafter member.