The sestina is a strict ordered form of poetry, dating back to twelfth century French troubadours. It
consists of six six-line (sestets) stanzas followed by a three-line envoy. Rather than use a rhyme
scheme, the six ending words of the first stanza are repeated as the ending words of the other five
stanzas in a set pattern. The envoy uses two of the ending words per line, again in a set pattern.
First stanza, ..1 ..2 ..3 ..4 ..5 ..6
Second stanza, ..6 ..1 ..5 .. 2 ..4 ..3
Third stanza, ..3 ..6 ..4 ..1 ..2 ..5
Fourth stanza, ..5 ..3 ..2 ..6 ..1 ..4
Fifth stanza, ..4 ..5 ..1 ..3 ..6 ..2
Sixth stanza, ..2 ..4 ..6 ..5 ..3 ..1
Concluding tercet:
middle of first line ..2, end of first line ..5
middle of second line ..4, end of second line..3
middle if third line ..6, end of third line ..1
Example
-
I watch the sun rising without a sound.
It enlightens us to a clear blue sky.48 lines, 1 comment, on Apr 29 9:00 PM -
Once again she is walking in the rain
As before walking completely alone44 lines, 2 comments, on Apr 26 11:53 PM -
I watch the sun rising without a sound.
It enlightens us to a clear blue sky.48 lines, 1 comment, on Apr 29 9:00 PM -
It is up and away for freedom is my flow.
I carry the secret of a childs dream.45 lines, on May 3 10:38 AM -
I have felt anger and have wanted to kill as I searched for a way to quell my rage39 lines, on May 3 6:27 PM
-
49 lines, 1 comment, on May 9 1:06 AM. In Erotica
-
56 lines, 1 comment, on May 9 1:49 AM. In Erotica
-
60 lines, 2 comments, on May 16 9:36 PM. In Erotica
-
Watching you go is like watching an eagle with wings spread
soaring over this long wild river deep and wide.55 lines, 2 comments, on May 17 12:17 AM -
It hurts me when I have to go away. When I met you I wanted to settle51 lines, 1 comment, on May 31 2:23 AM
-
Through all of this life I am nothing but a man Though I’ll claim to you I’ve had many primes.57 lines, on May 31 8:34 PM
-
Here on this bush is one violet rose that is not red This represents a different level of passion.58 lines, 2 comments, on Jun 5 11:10 PM
-
Too often I find myself looking for the prize
something out of the cereal box said to be free.45 lines, on Jun 7 8:36 PM -
We come together making passionate wind. Our bodies pressing firmly while dancing slow.57 lines, 2 comments, on Jun 13 4:03 PM
-
The firs time I met you the light was turned on
and a love grew the firs time the light went off.46 lines, 3 comments, on Jun 13 9:19 PM -
I see the tears fall down your face and the deep sadness in your blue eyes.63 lines, 1 comment, on Jun 21 10:52 AM
-
It is you for whom my desire shines and you have never been beyond my grasp.56 lines, 1 comment, on Jun 21 11:30 PM
-
When I look upon you with gentle gaze I can feel the pulsation of desire56 lines, 1 comment, on Jun 24 12:38 AM
-
-
I wake up to a rainy blasé day staring at the same gloomy walls56 lines, 2 comments, on Jun 24 1:15 AM
-
Here on this bush is one violet rose that is not red This represents a different level of passion.58 lines, 3 comments, on Jun 28 7:12 AM. In Thoughts
Adding your comment: