Skeltonic Verse is named after its creator, English poet John Skelton (1460-1529), who tutored King Henry VIII when he was just a prince, spent time in prison, was censured by the Church and in general, seemed to have a great amount of fun.
If you feel a strong urge to rhyme, this poetry form may be the way to go.
Skeltonic verse should not be confused with the Blitz poem format I have shared previously, which uses a series of short lines to work down the page.
Skeltonic verse has a few simple rules:
- Lines are short with two or three stresses
- they have irregular rhymes
- they have irregular rhythms
- they have no stanza breaks
- and occasionally include some alliteration.
Skeltonic poetry is sometimes referred to as 'tumbling verse' because it appears to tumble down the page. Skeltonic poems are often humorous. Please note: there are no specific rules for subject, tone, or length. The poem should try to possess energy and fun.
Here are a couple of examples I found in my investigations:
Finer Things
Seek not more
Saved to store
No need for
Having more
Bounty pure
So, I implore
Let go these things
These diamond rings
No joy wealth brings
Such finer things
When one springs
Their angel wings.
Brad Osborne
Is it now time
For you to rhyme?
It's Poetry Friday and this week our genial host is Catherine Flynn at Reading To The Core. Catherine shares some background of her current writing project inspired by the book -'Writing Wild: Women Poets, Ramblers, and Mavericks Who Shaped How We See the Natural World,' by Kathryn Aalto.
In this post she takes her inspiration from Padma Venkatraman an oceanographer who now writes middle-grade and YA fiction as well as poetry for young people.
Catherine presents her own poem in response to Venkatraman's words. By visiting Catherine's page you will also gain access to a host of other poets through their connected links.
I like the underlying humor, Alan, seems a bit more fun than a skinny, & I liked the 'irregular rhyming'. This - "short lines that's why" - is such a laugh!
ReplyDeleteYou're right Linda, this form despite its somewhat irregular structure is an invitation to play the role of rhymster!
DeleteThese are fun, Alan. They look a lot like poems you post, long, no stanza breaks. I like this style. Thanks for sharing them. Now I wonder if I have any diamonds I need to get rid of?
ReplyDeleteYou've cause me to pause and think Janice. Maybe this is what unconsciously drew me to Skelton's verse. Good luck with the diamonds...
DeleteAnother form I've never heard of! They seem endless!
ReplyDeleteIt seems we are faced with infinite possibilities Ruth. Poetry is a wide landscape.
DeleteThanks for the introduction to this form, Alan. These rhymes are sublime. :)
ReplyDeleteYou end on a rhythmic note Bridget. Glad you enjoyed the introduction.
DeleteHa! I always love to learn a new form. This looks fun and deceptively simple. I may give it a go, though (see what I did there?) This is a good peek at poems that could be tongue in cheek--oh, dear. I really must go...I'm overFLOWing.
ReplyDeleteLinda, your response provides ample evidence that we poets are susceptible to rhyme's sweet song. It's akin to an ear worm. May the fun continue.
DeleteThough I don't typically write poems that rhyme, I have found myself feeling the need for the whimsy of rhyme a bit of late. Maybe this is what happens after writing poem for so many days. At any rate, this might be something new to try. Thanks for sharing. These poems were delightful.
ReplyDeleteWe are constantly being drawn in the direction of new possibilities Cathy. This is one of poetry's legacies. Maybe this is your new poetry project -to seek out some rhyme...
DeleteThis form sounds like a lot of fun. Thank you for sharing it, Alan!
ReplyDelete