I have always been mesmerized by old poems. I like the rhythm and the sound of their undulating meters – especially the blank verse.
According to Poetry.org and I quote:
“Blank Verse is Poetry that is written in unrhymed iambic pentameter. Blank verse is often unobtrusive and the iambic pentameter form often resembles the rhythms of ordinary speech. William Shakespeare wrote most of his plays in blank verse.”
Unquote.
An iambic pentameter on the other hand, is composed of penta (five) iambs ( one unstressed followed by a stressed syllable). There are variations too, but I won’t get into that as it is a lengthy topic.
This drawing is from Francis Scudellari of Caught in the Stream, a brilliant artist and poet. You should hop over to his site and read his poems on a variety of topics. While you’re there, you could also click on a link which sells Zazzle T-shirts with his drawings emblazoned on the t-shirt’s front portion.
Here is my input for blank verse. I’ll probably edit this every time I re-read it (if I would have time) lol. Francis’ poems are of course – superb. I hope my attempt would be passable to him…lol…
Layered Walls
The sun ablaze in all its shining crown,
has tendered all the love that I have owned.
I looked up to the sky and plead in vain,
but rain poured down and drowned my cries of pain.
I am as sturdy now and cold as ice,
The layered walls I built around abound.
the memories are gone and in there lies,
a gelid heart that only I have found.
But drifting slowly, I now realized.
The loaded wings now have to take the flight,
And flutter ’til the bird has sang and flown,
a final blow to my granite tombstone.
- _____________________________________________________
There is another type which I prefer because of its brevity. It is called the “Cinquain”. This is composed of five lines only. According to “Poem of Quotes”
- “Line 1 has one word (the title). Line 2 has two words that describe the title. Line 3 has three words that tell the action. Line 4 has four words that express the feeling, and line 5 has one word which recalls the title.”
Unquote
The following is my attempt to write a Cinquain.
Layered,
Thick walls,
atop each other,
Numbness, detachment, hatred, grief
Layered.
