Day 15 - How to Write a Rictameter Poem for "30 Poems in 30 Days" - #NationalPoetryMonth

Greetings fellow poets, poetry lovers and newbies ~ so, today is Easter. If this is a day you celebrate, writing a poem might be tricky today with going to church and probably being with family for a big meal. So, although I will share another poetry form, feel free to use a poetic form we have already done this year or in years past or a free verse poem (so you don’t need to spend extra time learning a new style) and write one about Easter ~ or not; up to you.

Today I am going to feature a RICTAMETER POEM ~ it’s another poem that focuses on the number of syllables per line. It doesn't matter if they rhyme of not. I love poems with patterns because I think they help you develop skills. I also like the “look” of this poem when you center it on the page. Here’s the pattern for a rictameter poem:

A rictameter is a nine line poetry form. The 1st and last lines are the same (as in, they are repeated, exactly) with the syllable count as follows:

*       line 1 – 2 syllables (same as line 9)

*       line 2 – 4 syllables

*       line 3 – 6 syllables

*       line 4 – 8 syllables

*       line 5 – 10 syllables

*       line 6 – 8 syllables

*       line 7 – 6 syllables

*       line 8 – 4 syllables

*       line 9 – 2 syllables (same as line 1)

Here’s one that I wrote when I went to China to teach at a two-week “English Camp” during their winter break in 2016 ~

China

My first time here

I came to teach English

You students were eager to learn

Our team taught you many wonderful things

And you taught us things in return

I hope I can come back

To my new love

China

© 2016 Stephanie Abney

And here is one that I wrote today for Easter ~

Savior

Showed us the way

Served others all His life

Taught by example how to live

Through His atonement we all can repent

And be worthy to live with Him

Gave His life to save us

Because of love

Savior

© 2017 Stephanie Abney

And one more – I wrote this about missing my son who passed away at the age of 16 (these poems are generally not given a title, but I added a title for this one:

On Missing My Son

Happy

Joy in each day

What great times we all had

Getting through the good and the bad

And then, my happiness was gone, like you

Your body too weak for this world

Until we meet again

Never to part

Happy

© 2011 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 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 for 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.