Friday, April 20, 2018

Day 20 ~ “Rictameter Poem” for “30 Poems in 30 Days” for #NationalPoetryMonth



Today, let’s try another poem that focuses on the number of syllables per line. It doesn't matter if they rhyme or not. Here is the pattern for a RICTAMETER POEM
A rictameter is a nine line poetry form. The 1st and last lines are the same with the syllable count as follows:

*       line 1 – 2 syllables (use SAME word(s) as in 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 (use SAME word(s) as in line 1)

There really isn’t a need for a title to your rictameter poem since the first line makes a good automatic title, but, on the other hand, I can’t find any “rules” that say you can’t title your poem so I’ve done it both ways with these examples ~ the first one I wrote while I was in China teaching English during their winter break in 2016. It was written directly to the Chinese students. I shared it with them as an example of a rictameter poem. (And today, April 20, is “Chinese Language Day” so a poem about China seemed appropriate). Cheers!!




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




Here’s one I wrote a few years ago about my youngest son who passed away at age 16 

"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 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.




2 comments:

Vicki said...

Day 20-Rictameter

Our Dogs
Give us such joy
They need companionship
We keep them safe and warm and fed
It is so hard to have to let them go
When their lives are shorter than ours
We love them anyway
We choose to love
Our Dogs

Peggy Barker said...

Baby
Sent from heaven
Our prayers have been answered
Sweet to smell and soft to cuddle
Eyes sparkling, dimpled grin, little chin
Angelic face and tiny toes
Oh how we all love you
Bundle of joy
Baby