Day 2 ~ How to Write a “Couplet Poem” for “30 Poems in 30 Days" #NationalPoetryMonth

 

Day 2 ~ How to Write a “Couplet Poem” for “30 Poems in 30 Days" #NationalPoetryMonth

Most years I introduce a couplet poem on Day 2 – it seems appropriate, that a couple of days into the poetry writing challenge, we should write a couplet. They are SO basic, it’s nice to address them early on in the month. Every poet should know how to write a couplet. It can be the basis of longer poems (such as a Sonnet or Ghazal). There are even several types of couplets, such as the Heroic, Elegiac, Chinese, or Poetic Epigram (if you are feeling ambitious or looking for additional challenges – feel free to look these types of couplets up and try them out – let us know if you choose one).

But, for the basic couplet, it is simply TWO lines of poetry, with the same beat (basically, that equals your syllable count) and ending rhyme. And that is as simple as it gets, and what we will focus on today – there are other views of what makes a couplet. I have included a bit of that info below in italics if you are curious.

HANDY TOOL: (even used a couplet to present it). LOL

And, so, before this month of poetry is through,
You may want access to this handy little tool!

Free Online Syllable Counter: https://syllablecounter.net/

Or the one I shared yesterday:  How Many Syllables

Day 2 will be fun and super easy. Here’s an example:

I carefully string thoughts along
Into lovely little word-songs.

                      © 2014 ~ Stephanie Abney

Although I’ve seen some totally random couplets, the dictionary definition of a “couplet” suggests that they consist of two lines that rhyme and have the same meter. The above example has 8 beats in each line, and the endings rhyme well enough. So ~

Another thing to remember when writing a couple is that those two lines really need to be able to stand alone, expressing a complete thought in two mid-sized poetic lines. The last words of each line should rhyme. It can be spiritual or silly or romantic or whatever suits your fancy – couplets are great to write for children or with children.

Some definitions insist that couplets require that each line must contain ending punctuation (making them "closed" grammatical units).

 

It is possible to string a bunch of couplets together to create a longer poem, but for today – just try creating one or more individual 2-line couplets. Oh, and a couplet can be about ANY subject. What’s on your mind? How about putting together a couple of thoughts on the subject, rhyme the ending words, and aim for the same meter on each line. What can you come up with?

 

Here are a couple more couplets (hee hee) that I wrote quite a few years ago, for what they’re worth (one is simple and sweet; the other is silly).

~ I was thinking about the Lord's tender mercies and came up with this:


I know the Lord is mindful of me,
And it makes me happy as can be.

                             © 2011 by Stephanie Abney

~ then, in a moment of frustration, I thought a little on "getting one's nose out of joint" and came up with this:

Writing this little assignment
Puts my nose out of alignment.

                               © 2011 by Stephanie Abney

Did you think of a couplet? Just look around, and think about an object or an emotion, and give it a shot!!

[Image by Pexels 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 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.