Day 19 2024 ~ How to write a “Pensee Poem” for #NationalPoetryMonth ~ "30 poems in 30 days"

Here’s a poetry form that I really enjoy. I basically use it every year. I had so much fun with this Pensee poems when I taught school. It’s amazing what the students come up with. Let’s see what y’all can do with it. You need to follow the directions exactly – more counting of syllables but no rhyming required. I even created a little fill in the blank chart to help you out! Cheers!!

How to write a “Pensee Poem” ~ “pensee” is a French word that means “a reflection or thought.” 

It is a five-line, structured poem that does not rhyme.

Each line has a specific number of syllables and addresses a specific part of the poem ~ see box below.

The thing to watch out for is to follow the pattern, including WHAT should be expressed on each line, using a SPECIFIC number of syllables ~ and remember – THIS poem does not rhyme.                              

Line	Pattern	Example
Line 1	Subject (2 syllables)	Freedom
Line 2	Description (4 syllables)	Our liberties
Line 3	Action (7 syllables)	Granted unto us by God
Line 4	Setting (8 syllables)	Outlined in our Constitution
Line 5	Final thought (6 syllables)	Thank you Founding Fathers

 

This is how the above example looks as a poem:

Freedom
Our liberties
Granted unto us by God
Outlined in our Constitution
Thank-you Founding Fathers   

         © 2014 Stephanie Abney

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s one I did today ~

 

Finish

To just be done

Even though I try and try

I live in constant frustration

I am better than this.

 

      © 2024 Stephanie Abney

 

And here are a couple more examples from previous years:

 

 Grandkids

So full of love

Throwing their arms around me

As we snuggle on Grandma’s couch

I lead such a charmed life

                               © 2018 Stephanie Abney

 

 

 

Ice cream

Cold, smooth and sweet

Makes its way to my tummy

At the end of a trying day

For now, all is just fine.

            © 2016 Stephanie Abney

 

So, these are a few of my examples, but you get the idea. So, go ahead and try several ~ perhaps one about an emotion, an animal, one of your favorite foods, or a time of year (holiday/season), an event, or something in nature. What comes to mind?

 

(photos 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.