Day 2 2025 ~ Let’s write a “Couplet for #NationalPoetryMonth ~ "30 poems in 30 days

Day 2 2025

Sweet!! We are off to a great start!! If you couldn’t join us yesterday, how about today?

There are a couple of reasons I like to introduce how to write a couplet (see what I did there??? HaHa) early on in poetry month, particularly on Day 2. Every poet should know how to write a couplet. It can be the basis of several other poems, or it can stand alone as one complete thought (and poem). Plus, it’s only TWO lines of poetry. Hence, Day 2. Really, it’s so easy.

Although I’ve seen some that are totally random, the dictionary definition of a “couplet” suggests that they usually consist of two lines that rhyme and have the same meter (syllable count). Although in the spirit of “full disclosure,” they do not need to have the same meter. Gasp! In fact, if you opt for what is called an “unrhymed couplet,” they don’t even need ending rhyming words. So, there is a little wiggle room when it comes to couplets.

Try expressing your complete thought in two mid-sized poetic lines. The last words traditionally rhyme. And just for fun, TRY to keep both lines to the same syllable count (meter, basically), and with rhyming end words.

It can be spiritual, silly, romantic, or whatever suits your fancy – couplets are great to write for children or with children.

And you can always string a bunch of couplets together to create a longer poem, but for today – just try creating one or more individual 2-line couplets, unless you are bound and determined to make a longer poem.

Just a few more explanations when it comes to couplets: when a couplet can stand alone from the rest of the poem, it is considered independent, and it's called a “closed couplet.” Conversely, a couplet that cannot stand alone without the rest of the poem is an “open couplet.”

Just in case you were wondering, there actually are quite a variety of couplets – if you feel so inclined to research them – here are a few: Heroic Couplet, Unrhymed Couplet, Blank Verse Couplet, Short Couplet, Split Couplet, Qasida, Alexandrine Couplet, Shakespearean Couplet, and Chinese Couplet. No doubt there are more, but that’s a start.

And to simplify things – here is a handy dandy free online syllable counter: Cheers!!

OK, for example, here are a couple of couplets (hee hee) that I have written:

Poetry month makes me happy as can be.

The creations made are a delight to see.

                         © 2025 Stephanie Abney

 

I have so many things “on my plate,”

Please forgive me if I’m running late.

                         © 2021 Stephanie Abney

 

And a couple more couplets ~

 

I know the Lord is mindful of me,

And it makes me happy as can be.

                             © 2011 by Stephanie Abney

 

I am such a work in progress,

Some days I do more, others less

                         © 2022 Stephanie Abney

 

AND, here is a cute one from a Poetry Month participant (used with permission).

 

My puppy chews on everything

But mostly tugs at my heartstrings.

                               © 2017 Andilyn Jenkins

 

Okay – your turn!! You are welcome to share your poems in the comments to this blog post. I hope you will share them online in our FB poetry group. Most people enjoy sharing them on their own FB or IG accounts. I also hope you are keeping them in a journal or a file on your computer. Enjoy!!

 

PLEASE REMEMBER ~ any poetry found on this blog, written by me, is my personal property and may not be used without my permission, other than sharing it as an example in a lesson or to read it to someone. The same goes for any poems that are shared in the comments of this blog or elsewhere online as a result of this challenge. They are the creative property of the person who writes them. These poems are their original work and no one may use them without their permission. It is understood that they own the copyright to them as soon as they create them and especially once they post them. Thanks so much!

*** Also, if you choose to post your poems on your own blog or elsewhere on social media ~ that’s awesome. But PLEASE don’t just copy and paste my daily instructions, but rather post your poem on your blog or your FB wall or wherever AND LINK BACK TO EACH DAY’S SPECIFIC BLOG POST for others to come here to read the instructions. I’ve spent considerable time researching the poetry forms and writing them up to share with you. Thanks for respecting my work

Day 1 2025 ~ Let’s write a “Japanese Ukiah poem” for #NationalPoetryMonth ~ "30 poems in 30 days

Day 1 2025 

Welcome to National Poetry Month! I’m so glad you are here. This is the 13^th year I have offered my month-long poetry challenge in honor of “National Poetry Month.”

Just a quick overview:

There are many forms of poetry. Too many people claim they cannot write poetry, but I beg to differ. That is why I started this challenge: to teach others how to write a variety of poems with easy-to-follow instructions. So far, I have found more than a hundred different poetry “forms” and have featured around 80+ different ones over the years. This challenge is fun and easy – even kids can and do join in.

So, first, since new people seem to join each year, here are some basic things to know: I also host a private FB Poetry Month group; if you are interested in that, you will need to contact me and request an “invite.”

Also, all poetry shared within our private FB group or in the comments on my blog or elsewhere on Social Media remains the property of those who wrote it. Please do not use them elsewhere without permission from the author.

Each day I will share instructions on how to write a particular style of poetry. Follow along and share your poems (if you wish) in our FB group, here in the comments or on social media, but please link back to my post here. (Info. on that in blue at the end of each daily blog post). Thanks!

I tend to be chatty and sometimes long-winded. I am trying to cut back on that. Life is busy-crazy (and that is one of the nice things about writing poetry; it helps us to slow down a bit). But let’s just get started. What do you say?

So, for DAY 1, let’s write a simple Japanese poem. No, not Haiku, but we will get to that one. This one is a little different. It’s called an Ukiah Poem!!

How do you write Ukiah poetry? Look at the spelling – it is Haiku spelled backward, BUT it has VERY SPECIFIC rules ~ this poem requires all three lines to have an ending rhyme and instead of being a 5-7-5 syllable pattern, it is a 7-5-7 syllable pattern.

This style of poetry was invented by Robert Ropars in 2009. It’s a “reverse haiku” in every sense. Not only did he switch the lines for the number of syllables, but he required that it rhyme since haikus are not intended to rhyme. There are no suggestions on subject matter, so you have a wide open field of what to write about today! Have fun!

Here is the format:

THREE LINES: specific syllable counts per line, and this poem needs to rhyme!!

The first has SEVEN SYLLABLES.

The second line only has FIVE SYLLABLES.

The third has SEVEN SYLLABLES.

AND – all three lines need to have an ending rhyme.

(Those ending rhymes are what make this style tricky). Have fun!!

Oh, and just a heads up: neither Haiku nor Ukiah poems are supposed to have titles – just let the 3 lines stand alone – no further explanation!! So, NO TITLES! Cheers!!

 

Use of punctuation is strictly optional; use what suits you or use none at all.

~~~~

You may want to make use of this handy little online free syllable counter if you want to be sure of your syllable counts:

How Many Syllables - Free OnlineSyllable Counter

AND – here is a free online rhyming dictionary – it is very awesome and helpful if you get stuck:

Free Online Rhyming Dictionary

Feel free to share your poems in the comments here on my blog (ALL CREATIVE WORK REMAINS THE PROPERTY OF THE AUTHOR) or in our FB group, or directly on your own FB wall, or Instagram, or your blog, or just keep a notebook of your poems this month – whatever suits your fancy. We DO love seeing each other’s poems though.

However, if you do share it on your own social media pages, please do not copy and paste these directions, but rather just link back to this page. See additional conditions below. Thanks.

I found the limitations of this poetic form to be challenging. I can’t wait to see what everyone else comes up with. Y’all amaze me, but for what’s it’s worth, here are my UKIAH poetry efforts:

I’d like to be slim and trim 

My prospects are grim 

Since I don’t go to the gym 

                             © 2020 Stephanie Abney

 

Poetry month is now here. (7 syllables)

We share thoughts so dear. (5 syllables)

Let’s hope my details are clear. (7 syllables)

                         © 2025 Stephanie Abney

 

Wow, that's kind of a lame example, but you get the idea!!!

 

What strikes your fancy? Silly or serious?

 

PLEASE REMEMBER ~ any poetry found on this blog, written by me, is my personal property and may not be used without my permission, other than sharing it as an example in a lesson or to read it to someone. The same goes for any poems that are shared in the comments of this blog or elsewhere online as a result of this challenge. They are the creative property of the person who writes them. These poems are their original work and no one may use them without their permission. It is understood that they own the copyright to them as soon as they create them, and especially once they post them. Thanks so much!

*** Also, if you choose to post your poems on your own blog or elsewhere on social media ~ that’s awesome. But PLEASE don’t just copy and paste my daily instructions, but rather post your poem on your blog or your FB wall or wherever AND LINK BACK TO EACH DAY’S SPECIFIC BLOG POST for others to come here to read the instructions. I’ve spent considerable time researching the poetry forms and writing them up to share with you. Thanks for respecting my work

Day 30 2024 ~ How to write a “Free Choice Poem” for #NationalPoetryMonth ~ "30 poems in 30 days"

Well, sadly, we have arrived at the end of another Poetry Month!! I will miss your daily offerings!! Y’all have been doing great!! Today I thought you could choose any style of poetry we have done this year (or any other year) or just do a free-style poem of your own creation.

And IF you can think of a fun new way to present it – do so. Add your own artwork or any way you can think of to highlight it. OR just write one up, and put it out there for others to see. That takes a lot of creativity in and of itself. No need to be fancier than that! (If you use a form we have done in this group maybe you could put the name of that poetry format in parentheses. Or not, whatever). Take care. Enjoy!!

Love to you all. Thanks for a great month!! Cheers!!

 

Here are my two offerings on this final day of Poetry Month:

        (Cinquain, pattern 2 ~ count the words per line [1-2-3-4-1])

Poetry
Sharing together
Baring our souls
Creativity at its best
Happiness

          © 2024 Stephanie Abney

 

        

        And here’s a little free verse one I wrote:

You learn from me
I learn from you
And we create something
Stronger than before
We become more
A work-in-progress
Added upon
Improved
Becoming

        © 2024 Stephanie Abney

 

See you next year!! Cheers!!

 

PLEASE REMEMBER ~ any poetry found on this blog, written by me, is my personal property and may not be used without my permission, other than sharing it as an example in a lesson or to read it to someone. The same goes for any poems that are shared in the comments of this blog or elsewhere online as a result of this challenge. They are the creative property of the person who writes them. These poems are their original work and no one may use them without their permission. It is understood that they own the copyright to them as soon as they create them and especially once they post them. Thanks so much!

*** Also, if you choose to post your poems on your own blog or elsewhere on social media ~ that’s awesome. But PLEASE don’t just copy and paste my daily instructions, but rather post your poem on your blog or your FB wall or wherever AND LINK BACK TO EACH DAY’S SPECIFIC BLOG POST for others to come here to read the instructions. I’ve spent considerable time researching the poetry forms and writing them up to share with you. Thanks for respecting my work.

Day 29 2024 ~ How to write an “Acrostic Poem (2 ways)” for #NationalPoetryMonth ~ "30 poems in 30 days"

Since most people have heard about and even written an “acrostic” poem, it’s often an overused format (But then, so is haiku). I wasn’t going to use it this year, BUT, then you would miss reading my poetry story about Fiona and the Snake Poem from when I was teaching English in China back in 2016 ~ super cute. Just sayin’ (Even if you have read the story before, I love reading it again, and again – you might too)!! Cracks me up every time – it’s at the end of this post.

So, there are two ways one can write an acrostic poem. (One is using short sentences starting with the letter on the left for each line and the other is to write single words starting with the letter on the left for each line.

It’s a rather simple pattern and can be quite fun to do. You can choose any word to be your base – a word or name that you write down the-left hand side of your paper, one letter under another.

SO, it only takes a few steps to get started with an ACROSTIC POEM ~

 

1.     Choose a name or the object of your poem.

2.     Write that name or that word down the left-hand side of your paper vertically, generally using all capital letters.

3.     Use a single word or start each sentence of your poem with the capital letter on that line.

4.     No need to worry about rhyming or counting syllables or anything.

5.     Each line can be whatever length you choose, from one word to an actual sentence.

 

Example: (One word)

One word/line acrostic for the word “MOTHER” ~

Magical
Optimistic
Teacher
Happy
Energetic
Remarkable

 

Or, use the first letter as the beginning of a sentence instead of a single word, as Fiona did below.

 

Fiona’s Snake Poem:

 

In 2016 I went to China to teach English at an “English Camp” during their winter break. I have shared this before but I really can’t let this poetry form pass without sharing this delightful experience once again. I had a 14-year-old student named “Fiona.” I explained how to write an acrostic poem and suggested to the students that they choose a favorite animal for their poem. I gave additional details and they got busy.

Soon they were showing me their poems. They did a wonderful job. Then Fiona turned in her poem:

Snow is falling down.

No one wants to stay outside.

A little girl stands at my front door.

Knocks it with a little cry.

Early afternoon, she falls asleep in my room.

 

I read it and told her that it was a lovely poem but it had nothing to do with a snake. She replied, “But I wrote ‘snake’ down the left hand side.”

So I explained that the poem also needed to be ABOUT a snake if that was the word she chose. Fiona said, “Okay,” took the paper back, added a few words and turned it back in…

Here is what she added to that last line following “Early afternoon, she falls asleep in my room … and then she turned into a snake.”

I loved it!! Love her!! I laughed so hard. It is a cherished memory. And now, you can enjoy it too. Cheers!!

 

Whatcha’ got?

 

 

PLEASE REMEMBER ~ any poetry found on this blog, written by me, is my personal property and may not be used without my permission, other than sharing it as an example in a lesson or to read it to someone. The same goes for any poems that are shared in the comments of this blog or elsewhere online as a result of this challenge. They are the creative property of the person who writes them. These poems are their original work and no one may use them without their permission. It is understood that they own the copyright to them as soon as they create them and especially once they post them. Thanks so much!

*** Also, if you choose to post your poems on your own blog or elsewhere on social media ~ that’s awesome. But PLEASE don’t just copy and paste my daily instructions, but rather post your poem on your blog or your FB wall or wherever AND LINK BACK TO EACH DAY’S SPECIFIC BLOG POST for others to come here to read the instructions. I’ve spent considerable time researching the poetry forms and writing them up to share with you. Thanks for respecting my work.

Photo credit - Pixabay

Day 28 2024 ~ How to write a “Tricube Poem” for #NationalPoetryMonth ~ "30 poems in 30 days"

Don’t let the simplicity of this poem fool you. It may be somewhat short (each line is ONLY 3 syllables) but the constraints of this poetry form make it very challenging.

It’s a mathematical poem, of sorts, created by Phillip Larrea.

TRICUBES!!!

Only three rules ~

• Each line contains EXACTLY three syllables.
• Each stanza contains EXACTLY three lines.
• Each poem contains EXACTLY three stanzas.

 

Just three, three, and three.

 

So we're kind of talking about 3 to the 3^rd power, three times, right? No other rules – rhyming is NOT needed, there is NO special meter

BUT YOU MUST CHECK YOUR SYLLABLES – ONLY THREE SYLLABLES per line.  

It’s surprisingly tricky. Here are several I came up with (one this morning, and two a couple of years ago), but I’m expecting great things from y’all because every day you participants never cease to amaze me! (I see most of them in our closed FB group – you need permission to join) but wonderful poems are offered each day during poetry month, so let’s see what you can do with this. Remember, 3 syllables per line, 3 lines per stanza, 3 stanzas per poem. THAT’S IT – if you share a poem with 5 or 6 stanzas or more than 3 syllables per line, I’m sure it would be a nice poem - - - of some sort or another - - - but it wouldn’t be a “tricube.”

 

 

Come here, child
Sit with me
Gran loves you
 
Let’s hug tight
We’re happy
Together
 
Come again
When you can
Stay longer

 

© 2024 Stephanie Abney

 

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

Tell me why
Fleeting clouds
Hide the sun
 
It might rain
Maybe not
Wait, a drop
 
Angry clouds
Make a fuss
Now I’m soaked

 

© 2022 Stephanie Abney

 

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

Tide rolls in
Squishy sand
Crabs run out

Castles built

Sunburned face
Time to go

Memories
Made today
Last forever

 

                                                            © 2022 Stephanie Abney

 

 

PLEASE REMEMBER ~ any poetry found on this blog, written by me, is my personal property and may not be used without my permission, other than sharing it as an example in a lesson or reading it to someone. The same goes for any poems that are shared in the comments of this blog or elsewhere online as a result of this challenge. They are the creative property of the person who writes them. These poems are their original work and no one may use them without their permission. It is understood that they own the copyright to them as soon as they create them, especially once they post them. Thanks so much!

*** Also, if you choose to post your poems on your own blog ~ that’s awesome. But PLEASE don’t just copy and paste my daily instructions, but rather post your poem on your blog or your FB wall or wherever AND LINK BACK TO THIS BLOG POST for others to come here to read the instructions. I’ve spent considerable time researching the poetry forms and writing them up to share with you. Thanks for respecting my work.

Day 27 2024 ~ How to write a “Clerihew Poem” for #NationalPoetryMonth ~ "30 poems in 30 days"

Let's have some FUN ~ ever heard of a Clerihew Poem? Well, they are FUNNY POEMS ABOUT WELL-KNOWN PEOPLE or about PEOPLE YOU KNOW (Or not. You can write a clerihew poem about anyone, even a fictional character ~ BUT, they ARE ALWAYS about SPECIFIC PEOPLE and intended to be FUNNY, but not unkind, 4-line poems).

The Clerihew poem takes its name from its creator, Edmund Clerihew Bentley, a 20th century humorist and novelist. He was only 16 when he invented this poetry form.

A clerihew is a RHYMING poem ~ The ending rhyme pattern A-A-B-B

The ending of lines 1 and 2 should rhyme with each other.

And the ending of lines 3 and 4 should rhyme with each other.

Here’s what you do:

 

FOUR lines:

(If you wish to use a Title then it should be the person’s name)

 

The FIRST line NAMES the person in it.
* AND the endings of lines 1 and 2 need to rhyme with each other.

 Then tell something fun about them and make the last line funny.
* AND the endings of lines 3 and 4 need to rhyme with each other.

 

Here’s a so-so example I wrote to day:

 

Superman’s only weakness is kryptonite.
He doesn’t give up without a fight.
The bad guys know this and keep a supply.
But Superman recovers and takes to the sky.

                             © 2024 Stephanie Abney

Photo by Yogi Purnama on Unsplash

 

I have read a bunch of Clerihew poems by Bentley (the guy who invented the form) and his always have the person’s name being the last word of the first line), but apparently that’s not an actual requirement, so here are two more examples from previous years – one from me about my husband, Jim, and I don’t use his name at the very end of the first line (but it IS IN the first line) and one by Deborah Royal about her husband, Bill, and she DOES put his name at the end of the first line – so, do whatever works for you:

Remember, a clerihew poem is meant to be humorous without being mean.

 

My sweet, good husband works hard and plays hard and then crashes on the couch – we have DOZENS of photos of him asleep. I wrote this clerihew poem a few years ago, but I still love it and so I’ll share it as my example.

 

                          They say Jim Abney is one of the good ol’ boys,
                          To make him happy, just share your toys.
                          He likes to wrestle, laugh and leap,
                          But by afternoon, he falls asleep!

                                                                    © 2011 Stephanie Abney

 

 

I married a man named Royal.
I have found him to be quite loyal.
He is the greatest catch I have seen.
Treats me like a real queen!

                                     © 2015 Deborah Royal

 

PLEASE REMEMBER ~ any poetry found on this blog, written by me, is my personal property and may not be used without my permission, other than sharing it as an example in a lesson or to read it to someone. The same goes for any poems that are shared in the comments of this blog or elsewhere online as a result of this challenge. They are the creative property of the person who writes them. These poems are their original work and no one may use them without their permission. It is understood that they own the copyright to them as soon as they post them. Thanks so much!

Also, if you choose to post your poems on your own blog ~ that’s awesome. But PLEASE don’t just copy and paste my daily instructions, but rather post your poem on your blog or you FB wall or wherever AND LINK BACK TO THIS BLOG POST for others to come here to read the instructions. I’ve spent considerable time researching the poetry forms and writing them up to share with you. Thanks for respecting my work. 

Day 26 2024 ~ How to write a “Marianne Poem” for #NationalPoetryMonth ~ "30 poems in 30 days"

Okay – LET’S all learn a new one today – this is the FIRST time I have used this poetry format ~ it’s similar to so many in that it has line and syllable requirements but it also has some rhyming rules to follow and I love the name of it ~ “Marianne”

ALSO, since it is Arbor Day . . .  I’d like to throw out a challenge that you make this poem about a tree. (Just a suggestion, but maybe, give it a try).

Here is the setup ~

The Marianne is a 5-lined verse form that contains both syllable counts per line AND lines 1, 3, and 5 MUST all have the same ENDING rhyme.

The lines are meant to be centered on the page. (Social media formatting rarely complies with that, but for your own record, you can set it that way).

It was created by Viola Berg.

The Marianne is a “pentastich,” another name for a 5-lined poem.

It has a title and then the balance of the poem goes as follows:

Line 1 ~ 4 syllables – ENDING RHYME A

Line 2 ~ 6 syllables – NO RHYMING

Line 3 ~ 8 syllables – ENDING RHYME A

Line 4 ~ 4 syllables – NO RHYMING

Line 5 ~ 2 syllables – ENDING RHYME A

 

Two tools that will be very handy for this poem are the Syllable Counter and Rhymer ~ I suggest you use them. LOL I've seen your syllable counting and rhyming and well, never hurts to double-check your work!! Cheers!!

Here’s my effort – and I LOVE the mixed media tree I created a few years back ~

 My Nanny Tree

You gave me shade

Let me climb your branches

Sitting here I was not afraid

Childhood thanks

Delayed

                                                  © 2024 Stephanie Abney

Okay – you try it!!

 

PLEASE REMEMBER ~ any poetry found on this blog, written by me, is my personal property and may not be used without my permission, other than sharing it as an example in a lesson or to read it to someone. The same goes for any poems that are shared in the comments of this blog or elsewhere online as a result of this challenge. They are the creative property of the person who writes them. These poems are their original work and no one may use them without their permission. It is understood that they own the copyright to them as soon as they create them and especially once they post them. Thanks so much!

*** Also, if you choose to post your poems on your own blog or elsewhere on social media ~ that’s awesome. But PLEASE don’t just copy and paste my daily instructions, but rather post your poem on your blog or your FB wall or wherever AND LINK BACK TO EACH DAY’S SPECIFIC BLOG POST for others to come here to read the instructions. I’ve spent considerable time researching the poetry forms and writing them up to share with you. Thanks for respecting my work.

Day 25 2024 ~ How to write a “Haiku Poem” for #NationalPoetryMonth ~ "30 poems in 30 days"

Well, let’s keep things simple today ~ it’s about time we did some Haiku poems!! Pretty much everyone knows how to write one but here are some interesting details . . .

Haiku is a popular and well-known form of poetry that started in Japan in the sixteenth century.

It usually centers on a nature theme, but you can make one up about anything.

Haiku poems don’t rhyme but they do follow a pattern.

They are very short, structured poems with three lines and a total of 17 syllables. The lines in a haiku follow a set pattern: 

 

Line 1: 5 syllables

Line 2: 7 syllables

Line 3: 5 syllables

 

You need to pay attention to the number of SYLLABLES, not words.

Here are a couple of examples:

A soft, gentle breeze
Tickles leaves in my front yard
And I know He’s there.

          © 2011 Stephanie Abney

 

                                

Golden ball of fire
Slips behind the horizon
A desert goodnight

                            © 2014 Stephanie Abney

(Photo courtesy of Bob Murray of Scottsdale, AZ - used with permission)

 

PLEASE REMEMBER ~ any poetry found on this blog, written by me, is my personal property and may not be used without my permission, other than sharing it as an example in a lesson or to read it to someone. The same goes for any poems that are shared in the comments of this blog or elsewhere online as a result of this challenge. They are the creative property of the person who writes them. These poems are their original work and no one may use them without their permission. It is understood that they own the copyright to them as soon as they create them and especially once they post them. Thanks so much!

*** Also, if you choose to post your poems on your own blog or elsewhere on social media ~ that’s awesome. But PLEASE don’t just copy and paste my daily instructions, but rather post your poem on your blog or your FB wall or wherever AND LINK BACK TO EACH DAY’S SPECIFIC BLOG POST for others to come here to read the instructions. I’ve spent considerable time researching the poetry forms and writing them up to share with you. Thanks for respecting my work.

Day 24 2024 ~ How to write a “Terse Verse Poem” for #NationalPoetryMonth ~ "30 poems in 30 days"

 

Well, we have put the 3 cinquain poetry forms to bed for now – great job; wonderful poems. Let’s get crazy and have some fun today!!! It’s been three years since we wrote a “Terse Verse.”

This is such a fun little poetry form. Writing “terse verses” is so fun and quick, but it’s a tad tricky!!

It will put a smile on your face!! It takes a bit of figuring things out at first, but once you hang of it – it’s hard to stop creating them!!

A “Terse Verse” is usually funny. It’s actually a RIDDLE with a TWO-WORD rhyming answer; basically a synonym . . . The tricky part is that the two words in the answer must also have the same number of syllables. So, if you use a one-syllable word for the first word, then the second word also needs to be a one-syllable word, or both need to be 2 syllables, etc.

Here are a few of my examples:      

RIDDLE QUESTION: What do you call a joke-telling rabbit?
TERSE VERSE (answer): “Funny Bunny”

[2 syllable word (fun-ny) & 2 syllable word (bun-ny)]

 

What do you call a miserable cat?
“Crabby Tabby”

What do you call a cucumber that can’t make up its mind?
“Fickle Pickle”

What do you call polite frozen water?
“Nice Ice”

        All of the above terse verses © Stephanie Abney

I think the Rhyme Zone tool would come in handy for this – it might be easier to approach this poetry form backward by finding a double rhyming two-word phrase with equal syllables and then creating a question or riddle for it.

Here’s the Rhyme Zone tool link: http://www.rhymezone.com/

And here are a few from some of the past participants of “Poetry Month” – (used with permission) Check out their cleverness:

 

What do you call a dog that writes?

Blog Dog

                ~ © 2018 Connie Cockrell

 

 

What do you call an antique tire?

Rare Spare.

                ~ © 2018 Sue Fullmer

 

 

What do you call a donut on social media?

Twitter Fritter

                ~ © 2018 Victoria Firth

 

 

What do you call laughing pennies?

Funny Money

                ~ © 2017 Peggy Barker 

 

Can’t wait to see what you come up with! Cheers!!

 

 

PLEASE REMEMBER ~ any poetry found on this blog, written by me, is my personal property and may not be used without my permission, other than sharing it as an example in a lesson or to read it to someone. The same goes for any poems that are shared in the comments of this blog or elsewhere online as a result of this challenge. They are the creative property of the person who writes them. These poems are their original work and no one may use them without their permission. It is understood that they own the copyright to them as soon as they create them and especially once they post them. Thanks so much!

*** Also, if you choose to post your poems on your own blog or elsewhere on social media ~ that’s awesome. But PLEASE don’t just copy and paste my daily instructions, but rather post your poem on your blog or your FB wall or wherever AND LINK BACK TO EACH DAY’S SPECIFIC BLOG POST for others to come here to read the instructions. I’ve spent considerable time researching the poetry forms and writing them up to share with you. Thanks for respecting my work.