Pantoum
This delightful format originated in the Far East. There are no less than 6 quatrains, though you may have more. The twist to it is this; the second and fourth lines of each stanza become the first and third lines in the following stanza, respectively. A vital component is using the first and third lines of the first quatrain/stanza as the fourth and second lines of the last stanza. This brings the poem full circle. The rhyme scheme is this, a1-b1-a2-b2 b1-c1-b2-c2 c1-d1-c2-d2 d1-e1-d2-e2 e1-f1-e2-f2 f1-a2-f2-a1. Below is an example.

Phoenix Rising

Phoenix rises from his sire's ashes.
His newborn cry is his father's lament.
The fire in his violet eye flashes.
With burning wings, he begins his ascent.

His newborn cry is his father's lament.
He touches mother earth only to die.
With burning wings, he begins his ascent.
Sky-dancer he is, born to soar and fly.

He touches mother earth only to die.
His rebirth marks the end of each Age.
Sky-dancer he is, born to soar and fly.
Phoenix lives the extremes of love and rage.

His rebirth marks the end of each Age.
Each new Age is born of cataclysm.
Phoenix lives the extremes of love and rage.
Death is the price of such altruism.

Each new Age is born of cataclysm.
The price paid is God's blood and Man's despair.
Death is the price of such altruism.
His grief is why Phoenix keeps to the air.

The price paid is God's blood and Man's despair.
Peace and brotherhood are bought at high cost.
His grief is why Phoenix keeps to the air.
With his birth he mourns what mankind has lost.

Peace and brotherhood are bought at high cost.
When Phoenix' heart breaks he will immolate.
With his birth he mourns what mankind has lost.
With his death Phoenix will wipe clean the slate.

When Phoenix' heart breaks he will immolate.
Broken dreams and hearts comprise his fire.
With his death Phoenix will wipe clean the slate.
Desire ignites his funeral pyre.

Broken dreams and hearts comprise his fire.
The fire in his violet eye flashes.
Desire ignites his funeral pyre.
Phoenix rises from his sire's ashes.


©1999 Wordsmith

*note to readers: I am NOT Wordsmith. I repeat, I am NOT Wordsmith*

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National Poetry Month (NPM) Lessons

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