Day 26 2025 ~ Let’s write a “Quatrain” for #NationalPoetryMonth ~ "30 poems in 30 days"

This one is TRICKY, but fun, so stay with me and read carefully! The word quatrain is derived from the French word for the number four: quatre

Every poet should know how to write a quatrain, as it is the basis of a number of other poetry styles. Quatrain poems can be one stand-alone 4 line poem OR you can string two or more together to create a longer poem, BUT you will want to stay in the same rhyming pattern (like ABAB – see more on that further on). . .

BUT it’s not quite as easy as it sounds. There are very specific guidelines to follow. And this format is full of OPTIONS – so please pay attention:

You get to choose your rhyming pattern, but you must maintain that exact pattern throughout the poem, no matter how many verses you choose to write. Each quatrain has four lines with a specific rhyming pattern, BUT there are lots of rhyming patterns out there. Basically, depending on which source you check, ANY of 12 patterns can work, but the lines with ending words that rhyme SHOULD have the same number of syllables as each other. The most common are AAAA, AABB and ABAB.

SO, if lines 1 & 3 rhyme, and lines 2 & 4 rhyme, you would have an ABAB rhyming pattern. (Remember EACH set of rhyming lines should have the same number of syllables).

OR, if lines 1 & 2 rhyme, and lines 3 & 4 rhyme, you would have an AABB rhyming pattern. (Again, rhyming lines should have the same number of syllables).

The actual “quatrain” is ONE verse – but you can always string a bunch of them together to create a “quatrain poem” which can have any number of quatrains in it, including just one. (You can do this if you are ambitious).

In fact, you most likely already have a quatrain poem memorized. “Roses are Red” would be a prime example of a quatrain, with an ABCB pattern. ONLY lines 2 and 4 even rhyme in “Roses are red . . .”

You can also use an AAAA, an AABB, or AABA, or BBCB or basically whatever – but the ending words should rhyme with each other in one pattern or another and whichever ones rhyme with each other, should have the same number of syllables.

 

 

And YES!! PLEASE use the SYLLABLE COUNTER (link) – y’all write these great poems, but when I check them (and yes, I frequently do) in the syllable counter, they don’t always match. (Sometimes I’ll notify the poet in case they want to make corrections, other times, I just let it slip by). But I know you would be VERY surprised when you think you have counted it out and then check it find you are off. Just sayin’

 

Many hymns are quatrains; most of Emily Dickinson’s poems were made up of quatrains, as are many Nursery Rhymes.

 

It may sound like a lot to think about, but it’s not that hard ~ IF you keep track of your syllable count and your ending rhymes on each line, according to the pattern you are using. So, hey, give it a shot. J

 

EXAMPLES:

 

Here’s one I wrote today. It has an ABAB pattern throughout and every line is exactly 7 syllables. (With a VERY long title. LOL. But I found a few classic quatrains online with even LONGER titles, so) . . .

 

They Say Age is All in Your Mind, but No One Tells the Body!!

 

Old is a relative word

In my mind, I'm twenty-three

You may think, well, that's absurd

But it doesn't seem so to me!

 

I go to do something fun

But my body says, "No way!"

Before I can start, I'm done.

And so on the couch, I stay

 

       © 2025 Stephanie Abney

 

Here’s an old quatrain of mine ~ It has an AABB pattern and lines 1 & 2 are 8 syllables while lines 3 & 4 are 7 syllables:

Where Am I?

 

You wonder where I’ve been all day.

I must admit, it’s hard to say.

Over here and over there.

I guess I’ve been everywhere.

 

       © 2014 Stephanie Abney

 

Here’s another one, also with an AABB pattern and two verses. << interesting note here >> the syllable counter counted line one as having 7 syllables, even with the periods after each letter of A.D.D. – it counted it as “add” ~ I had to double check repeatedly until I figured that out. Sheesh – so line one has 9 syllables, just like line two, and the next two lines have 10 syllables – this works with my AABB pattern; same on verse two. OK, just pay attention, and this will be fun! Cheers!! 

 

Did Someone Say “Squirrel?”

It seems I have raging A.D.D.
My “to-do” list is a sight to see.
I start one thing, then switch to something new.
I am exhausted when the day is through!
 
There are ways I have learned to cope,
I sort things in a different tote.
One is for reading and one is for art,
I have so many totes, where do I start?

 

        © 2022 Stephanie Abney

        

 

Okay – whatcha’ got for quatrains?

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 2025 ~ Let’s write a “Parts of Speech Grammar Poem” for #NationalPoetryMonth ~ "30 poems in 30 days"

The teacher in me LOVES poems that deal with grammar – this one is a very easy and fun poetry form. It is simple but precise, as it reinforces different aspects of grammar.

This grammar poem form is five lines long and focuses on very particular parts of speech as follows:

 Directions:

Line 1. Write a noun for the subject (THIS serves as your TITLE as well)

Line 2. Write two adjectives joined by and to describe this noun

Line 3. Must include a verb and an adverb to describe this noun in action

Line 4. Start it with like or as followed by a comparison

Line 5. Start it with if only followed by a wish

Remember: Most adverbs tell you how, where, or when something is done, and MANY (but certainly not all) adverbs end in “ly.” [quickly, carefully, early, happily, etc.] In other words, they describe the manner, place, or time of an action. In fact, here’s a link about adverbs if you are unsure. Some may surprise you: ADVERBS 

Here’s an example:

 

 

Kitty
Entertaining and curious
Lying on my keyboard lazily
Like the Queen of Sheba
If only she would nap somewhere else

             © 2025 (updated) Stephanie Abney 

 

(Photo courtesy of Rozann Taylor, 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 2025 ~ Let’s write a “Tan-Renga Poem” for #NationalPoetryMonth ~ "30 poems in 30 days"

This is quite a fun poetry form – we’ve done it a few times before. But I like it so here ya’ go:

OK, so don’t freak out, but you’ll need to grab a partner because we are going to write a “Tan-Renga,” a Japanese poem of collaboration. It’s fun, really. Here’s the thing – you will need to find someone to write this SHORT – 5 line poem with. Even if you live alone, you can find someone. It can be done together, in person, or over the phone, or via text, or email, or whatever works for you. Your partner in writing this poem can be a spouse, a child, a neighbor, a friend; heck, it can be your mail carrier – just someone other than yourself needs to help write this poem.

This is basically a Tanka poem BUT with one catch ~ one person writes the first three lines (I’ll review the pattern for a Tanka poem below – it’s only 5 lines) and the second person finishes off the poem with the last two lines, almost as if in response to your first three lines.

The name, Tan-Renga (from Japanese), translates as "short linked poem" or "short connecting poem." 

Here is a Tanka in a nutshell. Rhyming doesn’t even enter in. The only concern is the number of syllables per line: 5, 7, 5, 7, 7 . . . but for this style – it matters who writes which lines, as follows:

Line 1 = 5 syllables     (1^st person writes)
Line 2 = 7 syllables     (1^st person writes)
Line 3 = 5 syllables     (1^st person writes)
Line 4 = 7 syllables     (2^nd person writes)
Line 5 = 7 syllables     (2^nd person writes)

 

So, 8 years ago, I had my husband, Jim, write this Tan-Renga with me ~ I wrote the first three lines, and he responded with the last two lines, and together we came up with this:

Our life together
Has had a few learning curves
The highs and the lows
Giving, growing, and loving
We have become companions

               © 2017 by Stephanie and Jim Abney

 

Since he is wisely asleep at this hour (about 4:30 am Thursday morning), I can’t have him help me write another one right now – but we might do it again later, and then I can come back and add it or share it on my FB National Poetry Month group. 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 23 2025 ~ Let’s write a “Prompt Poem” for #NationalPoetryMonth ~ "30 poems in 30 days"

Today we are going to things a little differently. Rather than having me share a particular format and it’s guidelines, I’m going to offer you a list of prompts pertaining to today’s date: April 23^rd. Use any poetry form you have learned here or elsewhere (yes, including free verse, if you wish), but see if using some of these “National” or “International” Days can give you an idea for writing a poem. Cheers!!

So, here are the prompts for this particular day, as April 23^rd is:

National Talk like Shakespeare Day, National Movie Theatre Day, National Cherry Cheesecake Day, National Lost Dog Awareness Day, National Picnic Day, National Take A Chance Day, National Zucchini Bread Day, National Slay a Dragon Day, English Language Day, Impossible Astronaut Day, International Creator Day, National Asparagus Day, National Email Day, National English Muffin Day, Saint George’s Day, Army Reserves Birthday, World Book Day, World Book Night, World Laboratory Day, World Table Tennis Day, National Administrative Professionals Day.

Here's an AI-generated-cheesecake Image by Tasty Lens from Pixabay to help ya' get inspired as it IS National Cherry Cheesecake Day (yeah, this is not cherry cheesecake but ya' get the main idea). 

I’m going to go ahead and post this now, and once I get my own poem written for today, I’ll come back and edit it into this blog post. 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 22 2025 ~ Let’s write an “ing” Poem for #NationalPoetryMonth ~ "30 poems in 30 days"

Everyone is doing so great!! It’s so nice to read everyone’s poetry in our FB group. Y’all are much better poets than I am, so I must be a pretty good teacher, eh? Anyway, let’s do a super simple poetry form today; however, a simple poetry form can be deceiving – some rather profound poems can be produced with some very simple formats.

Today we are going to write an “ing” Poem ~ yep, an “ing” Poem

So, basically, you choose a noun (seasons and animals make good choices, but any noun that comes to mind will be great) and then list 4-6 (give or take) verbs associated with that noun and add “ing” to them. Give it a try – perhaps, create several “ing” poems.

Like this:

NOUN

verb + ing
verb +ing
verb +ing
verb +ing
verb +ing

 

Here are a couple of examples:

Grandchildren

Laughing
Playing
Loving
Caring
Sharing
Growing

                   © 2016 Stephanie Abney

 

Paradigm Shift

Wondering

Thinking
Reading
Listening
Considering
Challenging
Understanding
Becoming

          © 2022 Stephanie Abney

 

What do you think? When I was teaching, I loved to highlight whatever “National Day” it was whenever possible. The kids got a kick out of it. Sometimes, doing that makes a fun prompt on what direction to take your poem. So, just FYI ~ April 22^nd is:

April Showers Day

Earth Day

In God We Trust Day

Mother Earth Day

National Jelly Bean Day

School Bus Drivers' Day

    Just to mention a few of them. So, you can focus on one of these or make up your own prompt. Have fun!

 

Your turn!! Cheers!!

(Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay)

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 21 2025 ~ Let’s write an “I Wish, but I Am” poem for #NationalPoetryMonth ~ "30 poems in 30 days"

I Wish, but I Am ~ so, tell us your deepest thoughts or just be silly if you please. It’s been a few years since we have done this format. See what you think. Just use the words highlighted in yellow for the exact beginning of that particular line, and then fill in the rest of the line with whatever you want. There is no need to rhyme (but you can if you wish). No one cares how many syllables you use. So, see what pops up as you start each sentence with those first few words.  

Here we go:

Line 1: I wish 
Line 2: Like 
Line 3: And I dream
Line 4: I am
Line 5: I used to
Line 6: But now I
Line 7: I seem to
Line 8: But I'm really

So here’s a silly one I wrote 10 years (I put the beginning phrases in blue in my examples so you can see how it flows):

Celery and Chocolate

I wish chocolate had zero calories
Like this celery stick in my hand
And I dream of mouthfuls of ice cream
I am deluding myself, it would seem
I used to eat whatever I wanted
But now I eat things that are green
I seem to be getting control of my food
But I'm really just full of whip cream

              © 2015 Stephanie Abney

Then, for this one, I was more serious-minded:

Wishful Thinking

I wish everyone would get along,            
Like the Lord has taught us to do.
And I dream of a world full of smiling faces,
I am an eternal optimist.
I used to think being happy was easy,
But now too many people act discouraged.
I seem to be seeking the impossible,
But I'm really just longing for home.

               © 2021 Stephanie Abney

 

And now, today, I’m back to being silly. Go figure.

If Only

I wish I weighed a lot less,            
Like I did so many years ago.
And I dream of endless energy like my grandchildren have.
I am missing the things I did easily when I was younger.
I used to swim, run, play and go all day,
But now get out of breath just walking around the block.
I seem to sit, lounge, plod, and daydream.
But I'm really not up for all the discipline required to get slim, so I think I’ll go watch a show on Netflix. 

               © 2025 Stephanie Abney

 

 

Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay

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 20 2025 ~ Happy Easter ~ Free Choice Poetry for #NationalPoetryMonth "30 poems in 30 days"

Greetings everyone ~ this is Easter Sunday and I'm going to just leave it open ~ Free Choice ~

If you have time to write today, write in any style of poetry you wish to use and on any topic, Easter or otherwise, and we'll pick it back up tomorrow!! Cheers!!

Here's one I wrote in the 5Ws format more than 10 years ago. What poetry form will you choose? 

Jesus Christ, our elder brother
Died for us and atoned for our sins,
Upon the cross at Calvary,
Two thousand years ago,
Because He loves us. 

            © 2014 Stephanie Abney 

        Happy Easter

Day 19 2025 ~ Let’s write a “Nonet Poem” for #NationalPoetryMonth ~ "30 poems in 30 days"

This is one of my all-time FAVORITE poetry forms: NONET POEM!! I generally use it every year. I hope you will enjoy creating Nonet poems as well.

Basically, the “Nonet poem” is based on the number 9. I first tried writing one of these for the 2014 Poetry Challenge, and the two poems that resulted remain my favorites, and I continue to use them as examples. So, if you’ve been around for a while, you have seen them before. Either way, get set for lots of FUN!!!!!

A Nonet Poem is based on NINE, in more ways than one ~ it has nine lines and the FIRST LINE has NINE syllables ~ but there are a few more details to know. Here is how you do this poem:

When I looked up the word “nonet” I discovered it stood for 9 musical performers or 9 instruments – and the poem’s pattern has exactly 9 lines – first line has 9 syllables, and each line thereafter has one less syllable, ending with the last line only having ONE syllable. The number of words does not matter, ONLY the number of syllables so it actually provides you with some flexibility. Intriguing, right?

Here is a “look” at this pattern:

* * * * * * * * * (9 syllables)

* * * * * * * * (8 syllables)

* * * * * * * (7 syllables)

* * * * * * (6 syllables)

* * * * * (5 syllables)

* * * * (4 syllables)

* * * (3 syllables)

* * (2 syllables)

* (1 syllable)

 

It can be about ANYTHING as long as the SYLLABLE COUNTS ARE ACCURATE, so PLEASE count them so you can do it correctly.

 

Let me give you a clue – I type the poem I am working on right onto the handy, dandy online syllable counter and just keep refreshing the “COUNT” button and it’s so much easier to keep track of where I am and adjust my words to fit that line’s syllable count. 

Also – just type “one syllable words” OR “four syllable words” or whatever into the search engine on my computer, and there are several options of word lists to help give you ideas if you are stuck trying to fill in a certain number.

 

Here’s a crazy new one: LOL!!!

I've lived a long time on this here world
I should have some things figured out
I'm trying to get things done
Yet, the day seems over
Before I've begun
I'll start again
Tomorrow
Then I
Sleep!

           © 2025 Stephanie Abney

  

 

 

And here are the first two I ever wrote for this poetry form, and they remain my favorites:

 

Made chocolate chip cookies tonight
One taste before I go to bed
One bite follows another
I forgot what I said
I’m ready to stop
Well, maybe not
Just one more
Then to . . .
Bed!!

          © 2014 Stephanie Abney

 

“Grandma, may we have a sleepover?”
My precious grandkids ask again.
“We promise to obey you.”
They give a hopeful look.
“We won’t talk in bed.”
That’s what they said.
“We love you.”
I said,
“Yes!”

           © 2014 Stephanie Abney

(Images by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay)

OKAY, your turn – GO!!

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 18 2025 ~ Let’s write some “Terse Verses” for #NationalPoetryMonth ~ "30 poems in 30 days"

Well, Haiku Day was lots of fun. Let’s get crazy and keep up the silly fun time of writing “Terse Verses.” If you remember them from years past, you’ll know what I mean. If not, well, 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!!

Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay

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.