The pantoum consists of a series of quatrains rhyming ABAB in which the second and fourth lines of a quatrain recur as the first and third lines in the succeeding quatrain; each quatrain introduces a new second rhyme as BCBC, CDCD. The first line of the series recurs as the last line of the closing quatrain, and third line of the poem recurs as the second line of the closing quatrain, rhyming ZAZA.
The design is simple:
Line 1
Line 2
Line 3
Line 4
Line 5 (repeat of line 2)
Line 6
Line 7 (repeat of line 4)
Line 8
Contine with as many stanzas as you wish, but the ending stanza then repeats the second and fourth lines of the previous stanza (as its first and third lines), and also repeats the third line of the first stanza, as its second line, and the first line of the first stanza as its fourth. So the first line of the poem is also the last.
Last stanza:
Line 2 of previous stanza
Line 3 of first stanza
Line 4 of previous stanza
Line 1 of first stanza
Example:
Sunset
Awe struck with this splendor
the sun sets on the Ocean
This makes my heart surrender
it cause's me deep emotion
The sun sets on the Ocean.
as it shimmers on the waves
It cause's me deep emotion
as it covers a thousand graves
As it shimmers on the waves
it glows like a golden pearl
As it covers a thousand graves
amidst the waves that swirl
It glows like a golden pearl
this makes my heart surrender
Amidst the waves that swirl
awe struck with this splendor
***Written by Bernard J. Howe.***
An ode is a poem praising and glorifying a person, place or thing.
An epitaph is a brief poem inscribed on a tombstone praising a deceased person, usually with rhyming lines.
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Comments
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I never knew that rhyming was necessary for a pantoum.
The form I was taught was:
Line 1, Line 2, Line 3, Line 4
Line 5 (same as line 2), Line 6, Line 7 (same as line 4), Line 8
Line 9 (same as line 6), Line 10, Line 11(same as line 8), Line 12
Line 13(same as line 10), Line 14, Line 15(same as line 12), Line 16
Line 17(same as line 14), Line 18(same as line 3), Line 19(same as line 16), Line 20(same as line 1)
Having it rhyme would certainly make it harder, and I might try doing one that way.
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Great
I am so impressed with the example you gave, that I am going to attempt a pantoum for my next project. You gave a very helpful description of the form, and I feel equipped to take on the challenge. Many thanks.
Edited on Mar 31, 1:21 p.m. because 'typo'. -
This is a very interesting and informative column. Glad I stopped by to read this! I'm glad I stopped by to see this, I may actually have learned something! Thank you.
~Destiny~
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just a little note on pantoum's for those who aren't too excited about rhyming. The orginial form is Malayan from the 15th century and it is supposed to rhyme. what many people don't know is they don't necessarily have to rhyme a pantoum, actually in English, it is often times unrhymed.
man, but when they rhyme, they can totally engulf the reader. an awesome style that more people should know about. cheers!
: moose
[my source for info about the unrhyming pantoum is 'Frances Mayes : The Discovery of Poetry] -
Interesting.
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Very usefull.
Wow, this is an interesting style that combines both beauty in word and beauty in form. The many uses for this are staggering. I can't wait to try this style out for myself. Thanks alot for posting this.
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