Day 4 – Rictameter Poem for #NationalPoetryMonth “30 Poems in 30 Days”

 

For Christians, today is Easter. If this is a day you celebrate, finding time to write a poem might be tricky today if you are able to go to church and will probably gather with loved ones for a big meal. So, even though I am going to share a particular poetry form (one of my favorites), feel free to use today to write in any style you wish; free verse or a style you are familiar with, particularly if you feel you don’t have the extra time to learn a new style. Surprise us and write one about Easter (spiritual or egg hunts or bunnies) ~ or not; up to you.

Today I am going to feature a RICTAMETER POEM ~ this poem focuses on the number of syllables per line. It doesn't matter if they rhyme or 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. (Although if/when you post it on FB, it usually removes the formatting).

if you find that you do not have time to create a rictameter poem today, I do hope you will find time later on because it really is a lovely little poetic form. 

Here’s the pattern for a rictameter poem:

A rictameter is a nine-line poetry form. Remember, it’s the number of SYLLABLES, not the number of words that matter in a Rictameter Poem.

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)

So, I actually wrote this one a few years ago but reworked it just now to flow better ~

Savior
Showed us the way
Served others all His life
Taught how to live by example
 We all can repent through His atonement
And be worthy to live with Him
Gave His life to save us
Because of love
Savior

 © 2021 Stephanie Abney

Here’s another syllable counter that I really like because it tells you
how many syllables per line ~ see below – I ended up with the exact
number of syllables needed per line for this style of poem

Poetry Soup Syllable Counter

Poem Syllable Counter Results 

Syllables Per Line:	2 4 6 8 10 8 6 4 2
Total # Syllables:	50
Total # Lines:	9  (Including empty lines)
Words with (syllables) counted programmatically:	N/A
Total # Words:	40

 

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 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.