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Dodoitsu Poems

  


Dodoitsu: 

The Dodoitsu, is a Japanese poetic form that doesn't have meter or rhyme constraints but they do have syllable constraints (like many Japanese forms).

This 4-line poem has seven syllables in the first three lines and five syllables in the fourth--and final--line. 

The Dodoitsu often focuses on love or work with a comical twist.

Here are three Dodoitsu I recently made...



Flower Power Blackout

I brought my love some flowers

To raise her spirits higher

However, two hours later

They're still in the sink.

Alan j Wright


Coaxing Forth Poems

Unwritten poems hide away

Deep inside my pen of choice

I tell them it's safe out here

And switch on the light.

Alan j Wright






Clowning About

The clown tried to bring forth fun

The children didn't buy in

But when the clown cried loudly

They burst out laughing.

Alan j Wright







It's Poetry Friday and this week our kindly host is  Mary Lee Hahn at Another year Of Reading. Mary Lee is writing poetry prompted by 'percentages.' Check out her poem and more...

Comments

  1. Thank you for introducing me to this new form! Now to find out how to pronounce it!!

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    Replies
    1. My pleasure, Leigh Anne. Do-doit-su should do it

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  2. Awww... poor clown! And I know that flower story well. :) Thank you! This form is new to me. :)

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    Replies
    1. You're welcome Irene. Pleased to make the introduction.

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  3. What an excellent form for a dry wit. I love how that last line falls flat. (You've tempted me to cat-ch a moment from last night, in rough-draft poetry.)

    A cool evening wander.
    Pattering steps behind us.
    Pulse races. Could be dingoes!
    But it's just our cat.

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    Replies
    1. Wow, Kat -you jumped straight in! Well done you!

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  4. Those poor, unwritten poems! This form works well with humor. Thanks for sharing this!

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    Replies
    1. You're right about the form facilitating a touch of humour and whimsy, Janice. Think that's part of its appeal for me.

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  5. Your last lines are zingers. Especially in "Clowning About."

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    Replies
    1. The thought of those last lines being zingers pleases me immensely, Mary Lee.

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  6. "Switch on the light" seems as if you just did, Alan. A favorite pen and a form you want to try - inspiration! Because we just passed Halloween, that "Clowning About" reminds of the fun this year & the sadness of the last one.. #mixedemotions

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    Replies
    1. You are making multiple connections, Linda- always a pleasing sign for any poet.

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  7. I do love me a good twist at the end, Alan, and all three of your dodoitsus didn't disappoint. :)

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    Replies
    1. Love your alliterative sign-off Bridget. Glad you like the timely twists...

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  8. You know what?! I love popping over to your blog for poem ideas. I find new-to-me forms and fun ways to write them. This week is a perfect example of that. Your poems are fun for the wry punchline, so to speak, at the end. Totally my cuppa tea. Can't wait to get writing my own. Thanks, again!

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    Replies
    1. Well, thank you very much Linda. You've brightened my day with that comment. Look forward to seeing what transpires for you as a result of the Dodoitsu dowsing. Wry punchlines and all...

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  9. Alan, thanks again for sharing a sweet poetry form, and your great examples. I think "Flower Power Blackout" is a great example of writing about love with a comical twist. I smiled seeing the flowers in the sink!

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    Replies
    1. My pleasure Denise. Glad you found something in my words. Love and laughter intertwined...

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  10. These are delightful Alan! I love your comic twists at the end of the first and last poems, and the second one captures the experience of writing poetry perfectly, as we bid the words to find their way onto our pages.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Elisabeth. Glad you enjoyed the twists. You have captured my intent in your response.

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  11. I really like these! Thank you!

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    Replies
    1. My pleasure Ruth. So glad your reading of these poems was pleasurable.

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