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The rictameter poetry form |
| Here's another poetry form in the series I've been presenting - Rictameter. Again I need to think b_boonstra for allowing me to use material from her files on poetry forms. Viv   Next week's editor will be Becky Simpson   Rictameter Poetry Form The Rictameter is really one of the most simple forms as far as requirements: 1. Nine lines of poetry. 2. No rhyme required. 3. Syllable count starts at two, increases by two syllables per line until line five with ten syllables, then decreases by two syllables until a final line of two syllables - a line that is a repeat of line two. 4. The first line and the last line are identically worded. The Rictameter, a modern form, is based on the the Cinquain. It has become popular because it has no restrictions except for the format, strict adherence to the syllablic count of each line and the repeating refrain of the first line in the last line. Bianca hosted The Writer's Crampa while back, and entries had to be in the Rictameter form. I wrote the following poem for the contest, which didn't place, but I had fun trying the poetry form. "Fairy Tale"  Elfin Lights in the night Twinkling, blinking, winking Lead youngsters along magical Paths of dreamlike, imaginative sights. The fairies promise much delight For any who follow Fantasy called Elfin. Pixies Playing neath trees Of rainbow colored hues Laugh in endless tittering joy When spying a curious girl or boy. So many no longer believe That fairies still exist, Sadness befalls Pixies. Fairies' Ears listen hard For sound of childish glee In the spritely land hard to see Unless the closed eyes open mystically. Often the fay wait patiently In vain for anyone To believe in Fairies. copyright 2005 Vivian Gilbert Zabel Bianca Boostra stated, when talking about this poetry form, "For the story teller there is a certain freedom. Whist trying to achieve some kind of meter, there are no rhyme restrictions. You are only limited to the 60 syllable stanza. The only thing that amazes me is the lack of imagination that most poets show with this form." Imagination, huh? Let's see if I can dig around and find some imagination and write another poem in Rictameter Verse and use a little imagination, maybe tell a story. I will need more than one stanza to have a story. "Invalid Item" Dreaming - When young, my dreams Brought thoughts of happiness, Being a princess with a knight On a black horse, I preferred black, not white, Coming to carry me away Because he fell in love With my beauty. Dreaming. Hoping - When some years passed Maybe the horse could leave As long as the handsome knight came, I could still be happy with the results. My knight would come for me alone, The part of me that kept Dreaming of love, Hoping. At last My dream came true. Not actually tall, But he had ridden a black horse. Importantly, he loved me, only me. No one else could capture his heart. He thought me a beauty. Love came to me At last. Loving - This knight of mine In his tarnished armor Sees me through eyes of love each day, Never noticing the sags or wrinkles That mars any lasting beauty Which I may still possess. Indeed we keep Loving. copyright 2005 Vivian Gilbert Zabel Are you ready to try? Feel free to send a bitem link (please don't post the poem itself) in the feedback text box below if you do write one. Highlighted Items I searched for poetry in the Rictameter form on the site. I found a few, but some didn't follow the strict syllable restrictions and format. Here are the best of those found.
The following example is a bit risqué and rather offensive, but it written in correct format. *sigh* Bill, how could you?
Feedback and Question of the Week The feedback from last month's issue was great. Thanks everyone. Halo An illusion is the creation of a mental image and allusion is the indirect mention of a concept, historical fact, landmark...well anything to, perhaps, build up an illusion (do not confuse with reference) * * * AuntyNelly An allusion is a brief reference to a person, event, or place, real or fictitious or to a work of art. Casual reference to a famous historical or literary event. An illusion is selective thinking based on a false assumption. Thank you for yet again a wonderful and useful NL. Take care , AuntyNelly * * * ♥Flower♥ An allusion is a reference to something; an event or historical date or place. Despite his heavy-handed allusion to cash, Sheila didn’t seem to realize that Marty was trying to bribe her. An illusion is a false image. Sheila’s seeming innocence is just an illusion; she is actually a hardheaded businesswoman. * * * Mothermouse--come visit me Well, I just learned something new for sure. I had never heard the word allusion and thought for sure you had a typo and then wondered because your definition didn't fit my definition of an illusion. To answer your question allusion is a casual reference to a historical event or figure. Ex. the man stood straight and tall as if Lincoln himself were on the stage. An illusion is creata reference to something that isn't there. Ex. Light filtered through the boarded up windows creating ghostly images everywhere. Thanks for an informative newsletter. * * * Isiliel Greetings from Athens/Greece. I'm quite new to your newsletter but i enjoy it very much! Keep up the excellent job! Here's the answer to this issue's question: allusion: is a figure of speech making casual reference to a famous historical or literary figure or event. illusion: is something that deceives by producing a false or misleading impression of reality * * * Jacque Graham While an allusion is a reference to someone of something in history, an illusion is something not actually seen or that does not actually exist. Thanks for a good newsletter. I appreciated the links also. Good choices. * * * Mariposa An allusion is the reference to someone or something in literature or history. Illusion is something which is not actually seen or which does not really exist, like a pond of water in the desert. * * * njames51  An illusion is something not really there. "He constantly addressed this eskimo sitting in the desert. I thought he was nuts." "Alluding TO something" is to make reference to a specific literary or historical figure or event. "He was my John Kennedy, poised with charm and hope, to be the best of his generation." * * * crystaldreams Both allusion and illusion paint a mental picture. Allusion is an image of reference to someone or something in history or literature. Illusion is an image of someone or something not really there or made up. Thanks-crystaldreams * * * Holly Jahangiri Illusion: Shimmering heat waves rose from the parched asphalt, making it appear to be flooded with water. Allusion: So tired he was, after eight straight hours of driving through the desert, that the heat waves rising from the asphalt made him feel as though he were driving across the Styx into Hades. Delusion: After eight hours of driving through the desert, his eyelids grew heavy. Heat waves rising from the asphalt broke over his car, like ocean waves. He stuck out his head and drank deep from the refreshing deluge. When the state trooper found him, the next day, his mouth was filled with sand. Wow! Thanks, Jessie. At least you didn't say I was delusional for editing a newsletter.  * * * winklett  Thanks for the informative "allusion" newsletter this week. I learned a thing or two! The difference between allusion and illusion? One is spelled with A, the other with I. ~ Amy Funny, funny, Amy, even if technically true. * * * Dr Taher writes again! Dear Viv... An allusion is a reference to some historical figure, event or construction in a modern piece of writing. An illusion is something that cannot be easily seen/heard/felt because it is hidden or does not even exist in the way it is actually perceived. -drtaher * * * spidey  An allusion is a reference to a literary or historical figure, while an illusion is a misleading visual image or something which is not actually seen or which does not really exist. Great newsletter, as usual! * * * InkyShadows An allusion is a casual reference to a well-known lierary or historical figure, while an illusion is a trick played on the eyes in that something is seen which may or may not really be there. * * * Erik Stark Thank you. I'm so glad you asked that question. Many people do confuse allusion and illusion. An allusion is the reference to someone or something in literature or history. Illusion is something which is not actually seen or which does not really exist. "Like an old and happy kindergartener, I cut and paste to give you the answer!" <-- Allusion (I think??) Keep up the great work! Erik * * * kaz2003 Hello there, thanks again for another wonderful newsletter. This issue's question: Allusion means indirect reference to something, while Illusion refers to a false image, i.e an optical illusion. Best wishes, MaD * * * mousybrown Ms. Viv, You have delivered yet another great newsletter. I can hardly wait to delve into "Writing Poetry". Thanks for the time, effort, and love you put into each and every newsletter. Janne * * * AngelVixxen: TY ANON! In answer to your question: An allusion is an implied or indirect reference, especially in literature, used to convey a stronger mental image. An illusion is something that deceives or misleads to give the impression of something that does not, in truth, exist. Thanks Viv. * * * violet princess */ Dear Viv~ Thanks for another great newsletter! Oh, and to quote you: An allusion is the reference to someone or something in literature or history. Illusion is something which is not actually seen or which does not really exist. * * * thetidebreaks Wow..thanks for including my poem! * * * Thanks for the complements, answers, and other comments. I appreciate all the input and feedback. I wish everyone would pass the word about the Poetry Newsletter and see if we could get the number of subscriptions up. This issue's question - please remember to send your answer in the text box at the bottom of this page. How many lines does the Rictameter poetry form have, and how much rhyme is required? |
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