 
|
|
|
2010 Poetry Form Challenge#20 Terzanelle
|
|
This is a marriage of the Italian Terza Rima with the French Villanelle by Lewis Turco in his "The Book of Forms and
can present a challenge to the serious poet. It consists of five stanzas of three lines (tercets), and the final
stanza having four lines (quatrain). The middle line of the first stanza is copied and becomes the last line of the following stanza and the first line of that stanza rhymes with it, thus making it an interlocking form. The final stanza follows the same pattern as previously, with the first line of the first stanza becoming the second line of the last stanza and the last line of the first stanza becoming the last line of the last stanza also, completing the link back to the first stanza. As an alternative, Turco also suggests making the repeat line be the second line still rhyming with the first forming one couplet and the interlocking lines from the first stanza making another couplet. The two final schemes that make up the last stanza that could be either: .f. f. .a. a ... or: .f. .a. .f. .a. |
|
Terzanelle in Thunderweather This is the moment when shadows gather under the elms, the cornices and eaves. This is the center of thunderweather. The birds are quiet among these white leaves where wind stutters, starts, then moves steadily under the elms, the cornices and eaves. These are not our voices speaking guardedly about the sky, of the sheets of lightening where wind stutters, starts, then moves steadily Into our lungs, across our lips, tightening our throats. Our eyes are speaking in the dark about the sky, of the sheets of lightening That illuminate moments. In the stark shades we inhabit, there are no words for our throats. Our eyes are speaking in the dark Of things we cannot say, cannot ignore, This is the moment when shadows gather shades we inhabit, there are no words for this is the center of thunderweather. Wesley Court |
Terzanelle Challenge Replies
|
Divena CollinsWhy is the day after Christmas named boxing day? From the middle ages they say this has been known There are many reasons why it was named this way. For this was to be a holiday of kindness shown Although some folk would say it is most unclear Through the years different opinions have grown. Boxes were filled with gifts throughout the year Helping the poor and needy from utter despair Donated to them for a little of Christmas cheer. Within churches alms boxes were placed for care On Christmas day to be shared the very next day Thus named boxing day along with Christmas fare. Today its a time when the changes are underway Within their reasons they need to know whats right Why does boxing day remain another bank holiday. But curious people have questions in their sight Why is the day after Christmas named boxing day? Within their reason they need to know whats right There are many reasons why it was named this way.  ----- Cherished Love Come my love hold me close unto this night That thou shalt showeth thy love so tender For only thee shalt tame the fire thy ignite. I submit to thy charms for love I surrender Wanton desires lay deepest in my heart That thou shalt showeth thy love so tender. It is thee with thy passionate work of art Treasured charms within this love divine Wanton desires lay deepest in my heart. Thus two loving spirits shalt both entwine We walked the path of dreams together Treasured charms within this love divine. That they may remain true lovers forever To be embedded within the stars above We walked the path of dreams together. Spirits soar with remaining signs of love Come my love hold me close this night To be embedded within the stars above. For only thee shalt tame the fire thy ignite.  ----- Eternal Love I see love inside when I look into your eyes For the very breath I breathe my love is yours A sweet song of love is forever in your sighs. And every gentle touch your love to me ensures A perfect harmony as our loving spirits soar For the very breath I breathe my love is yours. Its so easy to cherish the man I so adore I know in my heart and soul you feel the same A perfect harmony as our loving spirits soar. Unconditional love holds no thoughts of shame Within our passion the flames shall never die I know in my heart and soul you feel the same. Bonded by this lovers knot we shall never untie When both loving spirits come together as one Within our passion the flames shall never die. To love and nurture now that love's begun I see love inside when I look into your eyes When both loving spirits come together as one A sweet song of love is forever in your sighs.  ----- Gaelic Faerie Tale How pretty those wintertime icicles can be Within this glistening crystalized faerie tale So red those berries upon the leafless tree. Acorn capped imps dancing `midst the gael How wondrous was this her magical scene Within this glistening crystalized faerie tale Upon a throne of ice made just for a Queen Sat Titania the beautiful Queen of the faes How wondrous was this her magical scene . Within cobweb windows and frosted glaze High on a hilltop within her palace of charm Sat Titania the beautiful Queen of the faes Blessed with serenity a saviour from harm Safe in a fantasy from snow drifts and fears High on a hilltop within her palace of charm. There she remains thro` so many new years How pretty those wintertime icicles can be Safe in a fantasy from snow drifts and fears So red those berries upon the leafless tree.  ----- Gambling Man No one could know the hurt and pain His family had suffered this infliction The need to gamble drove him insane. He did anything to feed his addiction He had no wins he had lost his soul His family had suffered this infliction. This need he had was out of control His fate relied on the turn of a card He had no win and had lost his soul. This life for his family was very hard With violent moods when he had lost His fate relied on the turn of a card. He had sold their home to pay the cost Corruption had left his morals charred Amidst violent moods when he had lost. This memory of him is now so scarred No one could know the hurt and pain Corruption had left his morals charred The need to gamble drove him insane.  ----- Ice Age Bitter is the wind that blows from the East When all is covered with a blanket of snow A frozen existance for both man and beast. Where in the wilderness shall wild life go And there is no food nor a shelter nigh All is covered with a blanket of snow. Birds cannot nest in bare branches high Streams are frozen with nothing to drink And there is no food nor a shelter nigh. The aged are so numb they cannot think What of the farmers if fodder wont last Streams are frozen with nothing to drink. How shall we tell them they have to fast When there is nothing left there to give What of the farmers if fodder wont last. How shall they survive their fight to live When there is nothing left there to give Bitter is the wind that blows from the east A frozen existance for both man and beast.  ----- Night Spirit What is this light thats shining so bright That awakens me from my sleep so soon Can this be his spirit which haunts the night. Or could it be a reflection of the moon Could it be a long lost love of the past That awakens me from my sleep so soon. When these darkened shadows had cast Where this ghostly spectre had appeared Away from the darkness to a light contrast. It was this contrast that I had so feared `Neath this light glowing here in my room Where a ghostly spectre had disappeared. Did he now return from his silent tomb Had he lost a loved one from a bygone age `Neath this light glowing here in my room. Where the book of life had closed his page What is this light thats shining so bright Had he lost a loved one from a bygone age Can this be his spirit which haunts the night.  ----- Primaeval Man Of ancient times when man lived in a cave Was he really uneducated without a brain His natural instincts were inbred and brave. To survive he hunted and fished to sustain With tools then crafted from flint and bone Was he really uneducated without a brain. He carved the future on his walls of stone Of space ships to come in centuries forth With tools then crafted from flint and stone. Predicted aliens from the stars of the north, To imprint on stone what he saw in his mind Of space ships to come in centuries forth. The very first craftsman, philosopher of kind Primitive maybe but so skilled in his crafts To imprint on stone what he saw in his mind. Never to be forgotten they were our past Of Ancient times when man lived in a cave Primitive maybe but so skilled in his craft His natural instincts were inbred and brave.  ----- Prince Among Frogs There are frogs swimming there in the pond When the springtime next shows its charm But frogs or toads I have never been fond. Because they do nothing for me but alarm I could never love a frog for the life of me When the springtime next shows its charm And only a gardener would then disagree But a diet of slugs makes them no friend I could never love a frog for the life of me. Although I dont like them I maybe pretend If I only kissed one he might be a Prince But a diet of slugs makes them no friend. So I have not really cared for them since I wonder do they feel the same way too If I only kissed one he might be a Prince. Down by the water there within my view There are frogs swimmimg there in a pond Frogs and toads I have never been fond I wonder do they feel the same way too.  ----- Rekindled Love When flames of love rekindle again And the stars in the sky softly glow It is they as lovers forget the pain. Passions of love then begin to flow When warmth is theirs deep inside It is then, their desire shall grow Rekindled love shall not be denied Why should passion fade with sorrow When warmth is theirs deep inside. Lust is fantasy, dreams for tomorrow For pent up feelings need to be free Why should passion fade with sorrow. When love and fantasies both agree Who but they, see right from wrong For pent up feelings need to be free. A moment is short their life is long When flames of love rekindle again Who but they, see right from wrong It is they, as lovers forget the pain.  ----- Warrior Woman I bring love to all men the warrior woman said Perfect peace shall be thine for thy final quest I fight no more thro` tranquillity I shalt tread. No more shall I suffer this hatred in my breast To quench these senses of slaughter in my soul Perfect peace shall be thine for thy final quest. No longer shalt victory be written on the scroll For thine is the realms of peace and good will To quench the trials of slaughter in my soul. For this unrelentless heart within an icy chill That groweth distant from the drums of battle For thine is the realms of peace and good will. Passed is the song of the opposed war prattle Pray to my saviour towards peace and serenity Like lamb from slaughter doth follow the cattle. Here this is the realm I might save my identity I bring love to all men the warrior woman said Pray to my saviour towards peace and serenity I fight no more, thro` tranquillity I shalt tread.  back to list |
Jem FarmerO Lady of the Moon, I pray to thee this year shall close with no more endless tears so love will shine for all the world to see. Reflections echo shards of lonely fears until darker days yield to Yuletide light this year shall close with no more endless tears. Alas it seems I’m lost in endless night is precious love, a strange and distant land until darker days yield to Yuletide light Sweet memories that dance within my hand a tender smile to hush a mournful sigh is precious love, a strange and distant land? The faint echo of youthful days gone by, to stay with me, now and forevermore a tender smile to hush a mournful sigh ‘Though the pain of grief I cannot ignore O Lady of the Moon, I pray to thee to stay with me, now and forevermore so love will shine for all the world to see. back to list |
Reason A PoteetWhich is trickier, slipping or sliding? The ice out there is a hard quarter inch. Which is riskier, gripping or gliding? I'm digging down deep in the workroom bench, I remember they are in here somewhere. The ice out there is a hard quarter inch. I've got grip thingies for my boots to wear - those with the sharp metal points underneath. I remember they are in here somewhere. Voila! I have found more than half their teeth! I recall there's a trick - slogging in spikes, those with the sharp metal points underneath. With one step forward, I let out a "Yikes!" as me and my keister meet with the floor. I recall there's a trick - slogging in spikes. Which is trickier, slipping or sliding? Which is riskier, gripping or gliding? A few more steps and I'll open the door, my keister repeats hello to the floor. back to list |
Ryter RoethicalAs cold rain pushes its way to my skin Hiding eyes beneath blackened skies Scratching my head, where do I begin? Billboards and flashing signs telling lies All lost in jungles of concrete and steel Hiding eyes beneath blackened skies. Savage people pass, too numb to feel Cracks in the pavement patterned like love All lost in jungles of concrete and steel. Trees of red, yellow, green lights above The fruit of perfect disharmony reigns Cracks in the pavement patterned like love. I question what sense this place contains. Keep walking, this is nowhere to exist, The fruit of perfect disharmony reigns The weather merely emphasises this cyst, As cold rain pushes its way to my skin Keep walking, this is nowhere to exist, Scratching my head, where do I begin? ----- Autumn Love Come take my hand my autumn angel No longer in spring or summer bright The lush green colours no longer visible The days share equal time with night Our legacy the colours of red and gold No longer in spring or summer bright The harvest gathered, the crop are sold Winds from cooler seas now chill the air Our legacy the colours of red and gold Evenings sat by a fire in a comfy chair This time is ours in our own private nest Winds from cooler seas now chill the air What we have earned, time alone is best Our future life stretching out forever This time is ours in our own private nest Let's walk this path and stay together Our future life stretching out forever. Come take my hand my autumn angel The lush green colours no longer visible.  ----- Believe In Dragons Believe in dragons, so that they may live again. The time is ripe now that we may live a fantasy Cannot fantasy and life be both the same? Cannot we believe and see what we want to see For dragons lore was part of what used to be. The time is ripe now that we may live a fantasy See amid our deepest dreams the bluest sea. Lording over land and sea, the golden gentle beast For dragons lore was part of what used to be. Knightly lore was blackest deed and evil feast Magic helped the reigned lord to gain his power. Lording over land and sea, the golden gentle beast But blackest deed and wicked trick did overthrow Which caused this wondrous beast to hide till now Magic helped the reigned lord to gain his power. Believe in them. Believe so they may grow Which caused this wondrous beast to hide till now Believe in dragons, so that they may live again. Cannot fantasy and life be both the same.  ----- Breezy Blether The westerly wind is gently kissing me cool As it blows away the heat of a late summer morn I know it will change as the north adds fuel. But peace for now and nature shows no scorn I can still hear the birds enjoying the breeze As it blows away the heat of an early summer morn. And I know it is her way to oft times tease I realise that too soon she will change her mind I can still hear the birds enjoying the breeze. The war ceases between her and mankind When sometimes she allows us to feel free I realise that too soon she will change her mind. Just for the moment myself and nature agree Peace and tranquillity shall reign for a while When sometimes she allows us to feel free. In my mind I see her giving me a smile The westerly wind is gently kissing me cool Peace and tranquillity shall reign for a while I know it will change as the north adds fuel. ----- City of Angels I tried to listen to the earth today All I heard was a screaming jet. All is madness, no sanity in anyway. The people here how easy they forget Have they ever cared or know? All I heard was a screaming jet. The boom of the earth, the ebb and flow The Earth breathes and lives and cares. Have they ever cared or know? Breathe, live in this filth them that dares Rain cannot wash away the filth of kind The Earth breathes and lives and cares. Too many are deaf and are set of mind Culpably ignorant of what is proven truth Rain cannot wash away the filth of kind This city is like an uncouth, youth I tried to listen to the earth today Culpably ignorant of what is proven truth All is madness, no sanity in anyway.  ----- It Started With A Kiss It started with a kiss, two pairs of lips It was so soft, so gentle in the meeting Hands reaching out touching fingertips First, like a butterfly a touch so fleeting Two lonely people looking for each other It was so soft, so gentle in the meeting Like Pandora removing her box cover Getting bolder as they become aware Two lonely people looking for each other Eyes closed willing the other to dare Bodies melding as one, harmonising Getting bolder as they become aware Perfect at last no more fantasising Two lovers now they are complete Bodies melding as one, harmonising Aphrodite has swept them off their feet It started with a kiss, two pairs of lips Two lovers now they are complete Hands reaching out touching fingertips.  ----- Love Makes One Dream Love makes one dream again of senses and things And perhaps thoughts of seeing what is to be, Relaxing, and seeing what the day finally brings. Hoping, believing, in promises twixt you and me, Evoking hopes, and dreams, and allsorts of schemes And perhaps a thought of seeing what is to be. Oftimes what is expected is not what reality seems Because my senses are awakened by thoughts of you, Evoking hopes, and dreams, and allsorts of schemes. However, there is no doubt, we'll see things through Spending forever in love with each other Because my senses are awakened by thoughts of you, We will be the example others will compare A benchmark of a love that few can dream Spending forever in love with each other. Perhaps we're lucky to be part of fates scheme, A benchmark of a love that few can dream. Love makes one dream again of senses and things, Relaxing, and seeing what the day finally brings.  Winter Dreaming - Josephine Wall ----- Mirror What do you see when your looking in there? Do you believe the image that it portrays? The ultimate truth that is there, laid out bare. Look and listen carefully to what it says Each line there can you ignore what you see? Do you believe the image that it portrays? Did you gain them from happiness or misery? Flaunt them, are they not lines well paid for? Each line there can you ignore what you see? Experience is gained by opening fates door Each line earned, brought by pleasure or pain. Flaunt them, are they not lines well paid for? Knowing all, would you go through it all again? Stand back, can you say that you have lived? Each line earned, brought by pleasure or pain. On life's adventures how have you thrived? What do you see when your looking in there? Stand back, can you say that you have lived? The ultimate truth that is there, laid out bare.  ----- Night Shift The evening wind wafts through the trees As the night creatures begin the night shift, On hind legs, noses aloft, sniffing the breeze. Lavender, eucalypts, the scents that please And yes, possibly later, the hint of rain, As the night creatures begin the night shift. Each night begins this way, a way arcane. Arcane perhaps, but also, there's experience And yes, possibly later, the hint of rain. Experience is also the best form of defence When so much is needed to survive each night. Arcane perhaps, but also, there's experience. As darkness falls, other senses replace sight. The evening wind wafts through the trees When so much is needed to survive each night. On hind legs, noses aloft, sniffing the breeze.  ----- Question And how must we greet the morn I came to you because of dreams And will my dreams now fit the dawn? Are you part of my fates schemes? Or just that our lives have crossed? I came to you because of dreams Two boats met on life's ocean tossed Join together and share our load Or just that our lives have crossed? You now walk with me on my road Knowing this life is a day in time Join together and share our load Towards Nirvana together we climb Or do we part at dark, and wave goodbye Knowing this life is a day in time Is it really worthwhile this time to try, And how must we greet the morn? Or do we part at dark, and wave goodbye And will my dreams now fit the dawn? 
|
