Séasúr Amhrán

In this form we have four quatrain stanzas with a strict syllable count and rhyme scheme. There are three refrain lines, two alternating and one hook/anchor line.  L1, L3, & L4 are the refrain lines. L1 & L3 of stanza one alternate in subsequent stanzas. L4 repeats at the end of every stanza. The minimum stanzas is four. The rhyme scheme is a/b/a/b or a/b/a/a

The refrain lines are characterized by alliteration with 10 syllables per line. L2 of each poem is 8 syllables.  Here is the progression of each stanza. Note: the L1 & L3 refrain lines are numbered to show how they are to alternate from stanza to stanza.

-Or-

Example

E-li-si (Grandmother)

Painted face portrays the etchings of time;

she sits her circle on the Earth.

Grandmother tells her tale in sorrow's rhyme;

our walk began in the pain of life's birth.

Grandmother tells her tale in sorrow's rhyme;

The Spirit Father knows our worth.

Painted face portrays the etchings of time;

our walk began in the pain of life's birth.

Painted face portrays the etchings of time;

drum beats a season of rebirth.

Grandmother tells her tale in sorrow's rhyme;

our walk began in the pain of life's birth.

Grandmother tells her tale in sorrow's rhyme;

her wisdom shared in blessing's girth.

Painted face portrays the etchings of time;

our walk began in the pain of life's birth.

-Tammy Knott