A pantoum is a form poem where the second and fourth lines of each stanza become the first and third lines of the next stanza, creating an interlock that puzzles me. ?I wrote this on the eve of my 51st birthday, remembering Thanksgiving Day when we took a family nap.
The light is honeyed, sparked with gold
I do not know how long we’ll lay
I dare not break my daughters’ hold,
to shift my weight I barely pray
I do not know how long we’ll lay
While all around the world goes round,
to shift my weight I barely pray
but shut my eyes to block out sound.
While all around the world goes round,
And terror comes and kingdoms fall,
but shut my eyes to block out sound.
For in this room, this bed, is all.
And terror comes and kingdoms fall,
And time spins round, more light to show
For in this room, this bed, is all
right now, it’s all I care to know.
And time spins round, more light to show
I dare not break my daughters’ hold
right now, it’s all I care to know.
The light is honeyed, sparked with gold.
Neat. I think I will try this some time. What are the rules for the last stanza? And what’s a villanelle?
Lovely,
While I appreciate the classic poetry forms I can never get the whole thing right. It’s nice to see someone do it. I’ll watch for a villanelle 🙂
Thanks
Have a happy Christmas,
my dear wife who has an MFA in poetry says… “Pantoums! they are a nightmare.”
I read it out loud and we both thought you pulled it off quite well
very cool