Day 3 2025 ~ Let’s write a “Triplet” for #NationalPoetryMonth ~ "30 poems in 30 days"

Day 3 2025 ~ Let's write some triplets! Cheers! 

Hey there!! It only makes sense that a triplet poem on Day 3 should follow a couplet from Day 2, right? Yep. That’s what I thought. I use it almost every year and last year’s instructions and background info were pretty great, so here ya’ go:

I’m happy people are showing up for Poetry Month but our numbers are fewer so far than previous years. Life is busy, I know, but I hope more join in as we go along. I’ve always thought the 3^rd of the month was a great day to introduce the Triplet format ~ so, let’s write a "Triplet" They can stand alone or you can string several triplets together to create a longer poem so they are handy little poems to know how to write. Cheers!

3+3+3

Here's some BRIEF (for me) and quite interesting "in-depth" info on triplets: 

Now, depending on which EXPERT source you get your directions from, you are bound to get different definitions for various forms of poetry. Odd, I know. But I'm trying to stick with as accurate definitions as I can for this challenge. Some people use the term "tercet" and "triplet" interchangeably when discussing poetry, but that's not what I have found. A "tercet" is a 3-lined poem (which may or may not rhyme and may or may not share the same meter). Therefore, yes, a "triplet" is a "tercet" BUT all "tercets" are not triplets. Go figure.

A "TRIPLET" is a very specific type of tercet and for our purposes we will follow these rules:

Triplets are 3-lined poems that rhyme. (Some sources say they should have a title and some don’t – totally up to you).

BUT ~ HERE’S THE IMPORTANT PART ~

EVERY LINE HAS THE SAME NUMBER OF SYLLABLES or BEATS!

Need help with making words rhyme? Try this little “rhyme finder” – pretty cool:

Rhyme Zone 

OR, here’s another one: Rhymer 

Here are a few examples to get you started:

 

To Rhyme or Not to Rhyme

Finding words that always rhyme
Really takes a lot of time
Is not rhyming such a crime?

              © 2014 by Stephanie Abney 

 

I saw this pic and thought of this silly little triplet (same number of beats and all three lines end in a rhyme) 

  

Three little crocodiles
Dancing away for miles
Creating lots of smiles

          © 2021 Stephanie Abney

 

I came up with this one last year when I was feeling sick. LOL:

Being sick is no fun.
There’s so much to be done.
Well, now I’ve got to run.

           © 2024 Stephanie Abney

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 2 2025 ~ Let’s write a “Couplet for #NationalPoetryMonth ~ "30 poems in 30 days

Day 2 2025

Sweet!! We are off to a great start!! If you couldn’t join us yesterday, how about today?

There are a couple of reasons I like to introduce how to write a couplet (see what I did there??? HaHa) early on in poetry month, particularly on Day 2. Every poet should know how to write a couplet. It can be the basis of several other poems, or it can stand alone as one complete thought (and poem). Plus, it’s only TWO lines of poetry. Hence, Day 2. Really, it’s so easy.

Although I’ve seen some that are totally random, the dictionary definition of a “couplet” suggests that they usually consist of two lines that rhyme and have the same meter (syllable count). Although in the spirit of “full disclosure,” they do not need to have the same meter. Gasp! In fact, if you opt for what is called an “unrhymed couplet,” they don’t even need ending rhyming words. So, there is a little wiggle room when it comes to couplets.

Try expressing your complete thought in two mid-sized poetic lines. The last words traditionally rhyme. And just for fun, TRY to keep both lines to the same syllable count (meter, basically), and with rhyming end words.

It can be spiritual, silly, romantic, or whatever suits your fancy – couplets are great to write for children or with children.

And you can always string a bunch of couplets together to create a longer poem, but for today – just try creating one or more individual 2-line couplets, unless you are bound and determined to make a longer poem.

Just a few more explanations when it comes to couplets: when a couplet can stand alone from the rest of the poem, it is considered independent, and it's called a “closed couplet.” Conversely, a couplet that cannot stand alone without the rest of the poem is an “open couplet.”

Just in case you were wondering, there actually are quite a variety of couplets – if you feel so inclined to research them – here are a few: Heroic Couplet, Unrhymed Couplet, Blank Verse Couplet, Short Couplet, Split Couplet, Qasida, Alexandrine Couplet, Shakespearean Couplet, and Chinese Couplet. No doubt there are more, but that’s a start.

And to simplify things – here is a handy dandy free online syllable counter: Cheers!!

OK, for example, here are a couple of couplets (hee hee) that I have written:

Poetry month makes me happy as can be.

The creations made are a delight to see.

                         © 2025 Stephanie Abney

 

I have so many things “on my plate,”

Please forgive me if I’m running late.

                         © 2021 Stephanie Abney

 

And a couple more couplets ~

 

I know the Lord is mindful of me,

And it makes me happy as can be.

                             © 2011 by Stephanie Abney

 

I am such a work in progress,

Some days I do more, others less

                         © 2022 Stephanie Abney

 

AND, here is a cute one from a Poetry Month participant (used with permission).

 

My puppy chews on everything

But mostly tugs at my heartstrings.

                               © 2017 Andilyn Jenkins

 

Okay – your turn!! You are welcome to share your poems in the comments to this blog post. I hope you will share them online in our FB poetry group. Most people enjoy sharing them on their own FB or IG accounts. I also hope you are keeping them in a journal or a file on your computer. Enjoy!!

 

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 1 2025 ~ Let’s write a “Japanese Ukiah poem” for #NationalPoetryMonth ~ "30 poems in 30 days

Day 1 2025 

Welcome to National Poetry Month! I’m so glad you are here. This is the 13^th year I have offered my month-long poetry challenge in honor of “National Poetry Month.”

Just a quick overview:

There are many forms of poetry. Too many people claim they cannot write poetry, but I beg to differ. That is why I started this challenge: to teach others how to write a variety of poems with easy-to-follow instructions. So far, I have found more than a hundred different poetry “forms” and have featured around 80+ different ones over the years. This challenge is fun and easy – even kids can and do join in.

So, first, since new people seem to join each year, here are some basic things to know: I also host a private FB Poetry Month group; if you are interested in that, you will need to contact me and request an “invite.”

Also, all poetry shared within our private FB group or in the comments on my blog or elsewhere on Social Media remains the property of those who wrote it. Please do not use them elsewhere without permission from the author.

Each day I will share instructions on how to write a particular style of poetry. Follow along and share your poems (if you wish) in our FB group, here in the comments or on social media, but please link back to my post here. (Info. on that in blue at the end of each daily blog post). Thanks!

I tend to be chatty and sometimes long-winded. I am trying to cut back on that. Life is busy-crazy (and that is one of the nice things about writing poetry; it helps us to slow down a bit). But let’s just get started. What do you say?

So, for DAY 1, let’s write a simple Japanese poem. No, not Haiku, but we will get to that one. This one is a little different. It’s called an Ukiah Poem!!

How do you write Ukiah poetry? Look at the spelling – it is Haiku spelled backward, BUT it has VERY SPECIFIC rules ~ this poem requires all three lines to have an ending rhyme and instead of being a 5-7-5 syllable pattern, it is a 7-5-7 syllable pattern.

This style of poetry was invented by Robert Ropars in 2009. It’s a “reverse haiku” in every sense. Not only did he switch the lines for the number of syllables, but he required that it rhyme since haikus are not intended to rhyme. There are no suggestions on subject matter, so you have a wide open field of what to write about today! Have fun!

Here is the format:

THREE LINES: specific syllable counts per line, and this poem needs to rhyme!!

The first has SEVEN SYLLABLES.

The second line only has FIVE SYLLABLES.

The third has SEVEN SYLLABLES.

AND – all three lines need to have an ending rhyme.

(Those ending rhymes are what make this style tricky). Have fun!!

Oh, and just a heads up: neither Haiku nor Ukiah poems are supposed to have titles – just let the 3 lines stand alone – no further explanation!! So, NO TITLES! Cheers!!

 

Use of punctuation is strictly optional; use what suits you or use none at all.

~~~~

You may want to make use of this handy little online free syllable counter if you want to be sure of your syllable counts:

How Many Syllables - Free OnlineSyllable Counter

AND – here is a free online rhyming dictionary – it is very awesome and helpful if you get stuck:

Free Online Rhyming Dictionary

Feel free to share your poems in the comments here on my blog (ALL CREATIVE WORK REMAINS THE PROPERTY OF THE AUTHOR) or in our FB group, or directly on your own FB wall, or Instagram, or your blog, or just keep a notebook of your poems this month – whatever suits your fancy. We DO love seeing each other’s poems though.

However, if you do share it on your own social media pages, please do not copy and paste these directions, but rather just link back to this page. See additional conditions below. Thanks.

I found the limitations of this poetic form to be challenging. I can’t wait to see what everyone else comes up with. Y’all amaze me, but for what’s it’s worth, here are my UKIAH poetry efforts:

I’d like to be slim and trim 

My prospects are grim 

Since I don’t go to the gym 

                             © 2020 Stephanie Abney

 

Poetry month is now here. (7 syllables)

We share thoughts so dear. (5 syllables)

Let’s hope my details are clear. (7 syllables)

                         © 2025 Stephanie Abney

 

Wow, that's kind of a lame example, but you get the idea!!!

 

What strikes your fancy? Silly or serious?

 

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