Ballad
Ballads are poems that tell a story similar to a folk tale or legend. It often includes a repeated refrain. There are many versions of the ballad and various lengths and styles. However, I’ve chosen to do a variation of the Common Measure that consists of three rhymes of iambic tretrameter, a unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable, as in delay, in four feet. Each line includes eight sylabells. The suggested rhyme scheme is as followed:
xxxxxxxa
xxxxxxxb
xxxxxxxc
xxxxxxxb
“Treasured Love”
There comes a time when love is shown
And life seems full of graces grand.
When lovers sing of gorgeous songs,
The world hushes and hate is banned.
A time of joy and happiness,
When love is shown with just a glance,
A smile brings endless joy and care,
And eyes sparkle, twinkle, and dance.
Such times should be treasured and held
Dear to our hearts till melt away,
So when we fall to darkness shelled
We can have hope of better day.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Balassi Stanza - Careless Lovers
Balassi Stanza
This stanza is believed to have been used by Balint Balassi, a hungarian poet. It is a three line form consisting of nineteen syllables per line: six in the first two lines, followed by seven in the third and repeated twice. It is broken up by intervals of rhyme that are as followed:
x. x. x. x. x. a.
x. x. x. x. x. a.
x. x. x. x. x. x. d
x. x. x. x. x. b
x. x. x. x. x. b
x. x. x. x. x. x. d
x. x. x. x. x. c
x. x. x. x. x. c
x. x. x. x. x. x. d
“Careless Lovers”
We danced with lightened hearts
As if we’d never part
And out grand love would be staid.
Yet the night grows longer
And soon left to ponder
What will come when day is made?
But for now we will cling
Till bells of morning ring
And our happiness must be paid.
This stanza is believed to have been used by Balint Balassi, a hungarian poet. It is a three line form consisting of nineteen syllables per line: six in the first two lines, followed by seven in the third and repeated twice. It is broken up by intervals of rhyme that are as followed:
x. x. x. x. x. a.
x. x. x. x. x. a.
x. x. x. x. x. x. d
x. x. x. x. x. b
x. x. x. x. x. b
x. x. x. x. x. x. d
x. x. x. x. x. c
x. x. x. x. x. c
x. x. x. x. x. x. d
“Careless Lovers”
We danced with lightened hearts
As if we’d never part
And out grand love would be staid.
Yet the night grows longer
And soon left to ponder
What will come when day is made?
But for now we will cling
Till bells of morning ring
And our happiness must be paid.
Australian Sonnet - Hopes for Death
Australian Sonnet or Bowlesian Sonnet
This sonnet is named for it’s creator, William Lisle Bowles, a minister of the Church of England, who preached in Austalia. It held its height of popularity from the 1800s to the 1900s and soon settled into obscurity. It has three Envelope quatrains and a couplet. The rhyme sequence is abba cddc effe gg.
Hopes for Death
What will become of me?
When I am gone and done
When my body shunned
And my eyes blind to see
Will I wither
Deep in ground
With body bound
Forgotten and bitter
Or is there a world beyond?
Rich in light and hope
Where all may cope
And death dies and peace is dawned
I can only hope it be the latter
For if not, in the end, all lives shatter
This sonnet is named for it’s creator, William Lisle Bowles, a minister of the Church of England, who preached in Austalia. It held its height of popularity from the 1800s to the 1900s and soon settled into obscurity. It has three Envelope quatrains and a couplet. The rhyme sequence is abba cddc effe gg.
Hopes for Death
What will become of me?
When I am gone and done
When my body shunned
And my eyes blind to see
Will I wither
Deep in ground
With body bound
Forgotten and bitter
Or is there a world beyond?
Rich in light and hope
Where all may cope
And death dies and peace is dawned
I can only hope it be the latter
For if not, in the end, all lives shatter
Friday, January 28, 2011
Aubade - Dawning
Aubade
An aubade is a poem or a song that greets the morning. It can focus on two different themes: nature rejoicing or lovers waking at dawn. Many poets have written aubades such as: William Shakespear, Philip Larkin, and William Empson. There are many styles and lengths that are acceptable as aubades. The main idea is to be focused on the theme of day breaking.
“Dawning”
Awake to the morning
And rise to the run
Rejoice in the dawning
Of a new day of life
The wind dances with joy
As trees sway
In the fresh breeze
The birds sing out
The glorious news
For hope is alive
By the light of day
The morning reminds us
A new chance to act
And to live in joy
Feel the sun shine upon you
And allow your being
To fill with joy and light
For now is the beginning
The dawning of a new day
A new day has begun
An aubade is a poem or a song that greets the morning. It can focus on two different themes: nature rejoicing or lovers waking at dawn. Many poets have written aubades such as: William Shakespear, Philip Larkin, and William Empson. There are many styles and lengths that are acceptable as aubades. The main idea is to be focused on the theme of day breaking.
“Dawning”
Awake to the morning
And rise to the run
Rejoice in the dawning
Of a new day of life
The wind dances with joy
As trees sway
In the fresh breeze
The birds sing out
The glorious news
For hope is alive
By the light of day
The morning reminds us
A new chance to act
And to live in joy
Feel the sun shine upon you
And allow your being
To fill with joy and light
For now is the beginning
The dawning of a new day
A new day has begun
Acrostic - Cry Out
Acrostic Poetry
This is a form of short verse that is a play on words. It is constructed by writing a word or phrase vertically on a page to form the initial letter of each line of the poem. The name comes from the Greek words akros, "at the end," and stichos, "line." It is a timeless form as had heights of popularity in Greece during the Alexandrine period, in Latin playwrights, and again during the Italian Renaissance. It originally rhymed, but modern writers have adapted it so that it does not have to and both ways are acceptable.
“Cry Out”
Cry out to the morning
Rid yourself of fear
Yell to the heavens
Out before the storm
Utter the words you hold so dear
Tell all what is to come
This is a form of short verse that is a play on words. It is constructed by writing a word or phrase vertically on a page to form the initial letter of each line of the poem. The name comes from the Greek words akros, "at the end," and stichos, "line." It is a timeless form as had heights of popularity in Greece during the Alexandrine period, in Latin playwrights, and again during the Italian Renaissance. It originally rhymed, but modern writers have adapted it so that it does not have to and both ways are acceptable.
“Cry Out”
Cry out to the morning
Rid yourself of fear
Yell to the heavens
Out before the storm
Utter the words you hold so dear
Tell all what is to come
Poetry Senior Project Introduction
Poetry has always entranced me. From lullabies and nursery rhymes to poets and epics, I find all forms to be a work of art. Poems can be made to tell a story, describe an idea, or express a feeling. Since a very young age I have used poetry as a therapeutic tool and a way to artistically express myself. However, I never discovered the classic forms or true rules of styles of poetry. I have only written free verse and now wish to expand my horizons. Through this project I will adapt classic poetry styles into my own modern poems. Not only will this expand my knowledge, but it will improve my writing. I plan to go into English and possibly be an author. I have also expressed interest in publishing my poetry and would love to have the chance to improve it. This project will give me the chance to dive into a world of literary art and try my own hand at styles that have been known for centuries.
I plan to first review the history and development of poetry from both western and eastern cultures. This will allow me to have an understanding of the background of poetry. Then I will take a closer look at each classic form in turn. I will begin by defining the form and give a short explanation on its origins and background. Next, I will outline their rules and structure and look at examples of poets who are known for that particular form. Then I will attempt to write my own poem following the style and dynamics I have come to understand.
My goal is to learn the classic forms of poetry and grow in my understanding of them. I see this as a chance to improve my writing skills and develop my talent. It is a great opportunity to express my love of poetry and find out more about it. I hope it will be a wonderful journey and that I may live up to the challenge.
I plan to first review the history and development of poetry from both western and eastern cultures. This will allow me to have an understanding of the background of poetry. Then I will take a closer look at each classic form in turn. I will begin by defining the form and give a short explanation on its origins and background. Next, I will outline their rules and structure and look at examples of poets who are known for that particular form. Then I will attempt to write my own poem following the style and dynamics I have come to understand.
My goal is to learn the classic forms of poetry and grow in my understanding of them. I see this as a chance to improve my writing skills and develop my talent. It is a great opportunity to express my love of poetry and find out more about it. I hope it will be a wonderful journey and that I may live up to the challenge.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)