Day 13 2025 ~ Let’s write a “Rictameter Poem” for #NationalPoetryMonth ~ "30 poems in 30 days"

For Christians, today is Palm Sunday. It is the beginning of Easter Week. I imagine some of your poetry this week might reflect the Savoir and His life. That would be lovely. We welcome and respect that and ask that everyone respect each other’s views. However, inspiration for your poetry may come from so many other places and experiences. I don’t know about you, but I am LOVING POETRY MONTH!! Cheers!!

Today I want to tell you about RICTAMETER POEMS ~ this poem focuses on the number of syllables per line. (Yes, back to counting syllables).  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).

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, using the same word(s)] 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, here’s one I wrote today and a couple others from a few years ago:

 

Sunday

Time to reflect
On the preceding week
I made progress, but I may want
To give myself some grace and try again
When I see I have fallen short
I want to keep trying
Time to forgive
Sunday

                                       © 2025 Stephanie Abney

 

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

 

 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 another syllable counter that I really like because it tells you
how many syllables per line ~ and you can adjust it right there 

by clicking the "count syllables" button to refresh 

to see if your numbers are correct with the changes you just made. 

Photo credit: I purchased this digital art by Doyle Welborn, owner of BigThicketEnterprise (Etsy)

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.