Poetry (Part 2)

The written poem also can do this. It can help the reader to open their mind towards learning to think and analyze cultures and behaviors. Learning the different styles of poetry can be a little tricky but once you understand their rhythmic format, it will become easier to distinguish what kind of a poem you are reading, as well as help you to learn to write your own poem.

In Poetry (Part 2), we will be focusing on a new grouping of poems – the rhyming poems.

RHYME - For new writers and those who are not all that keen on poetry, the poems that rhyme tend to be the favorite kinds. Even poems that rhyme, however, come in different styles, including the couplet (is when you have two phrases and each rhymes at their end), the tercet (which has a total of six lines and either lines 1 and 2 rhyme as do lines 4 and 5 and then lines 3 and 6 or lines 1, 2 and 3 rhyme while lines 4, 5 and 6 rhyme) and the ballad stanza (for each group of four lines, lines 2 and 4 rhyme). The ballad stanza is also known as a quatrain.

Here is an example of a couplet:

Jimmy could only see red, when he was told he had to go to bed.

Here is an example of a tercet:

“My dog has a toy, (line 1)
It resembles a boy. (line 2)
A boy with dark colored glasses. (line 3)

His lightning scar (line 4)
Can be seen from afar (line 5)
And gee, does he love molasses.” (line 6)

Here is an example of a ballad stanza:

I know I just met you.
It was in the Summerland Park. (line 2)
I’ll give you my number.
Call if you felt a little spark. (line 4)

LIMERICK - A limerick is also a rhyming poem that consists of five rhymes. Lines 1, 2 and 5 rhyme while lines three and four rhyme. Most limericks have a humorous nature to them.

Here is an example of a limerick:

Limericks can bring such delight (line 1)
when trying to find words that sound right. (line 2)
But heaven forbid (line 3)
You slip on a squid (line 4)
And rip your pants that were too tight. (line 5)

TANKA - A Tanka poem is similar to a Haiku. Both are Japanese poems. The Tanka poem has more syllables and it uses similes, metaphors and personification. In the Tanka poem the first and third lines have 5 syllables each while the second, fourth and fifth lines have 7 syllables each. The poems focus on nature, the seasons and emotions.

Here is an example of a Tanka:

Beautiful mountains (5 syllables)
Rivers with cold, cold water. (7 syllables)
White cold snow on rocks (5 syllables)
Trees over the place with frost. (7 syllables)
White sparkly snow everywhere. (7 syllables)