In this post I present another recently invented poetry form!
I'm looking closely at the Viator poetic form, first created by author, Robin Skelton.
The rules are fairly simple:
The poem has four stanzas, each of four lines
The first line is a refrain
and that refrain appears as the second line of the second stanza, third line of the third stanza, and so on for however many stanzas the poem has...
The final line of the final stanza being the refrain.
My poem deals with matters so clearly connected to current times and the concerning rise of autocrats. Sometimes as poets we feel moved to adopt a stance as either resistor, observer or commentator on world events. These became words refusing to be trapped inside, sheltered in silence. Thank you, Viator for loaning me your structure!
It is Poetry Friday and our host this time is Linda B from Denver, Colorado. It is also Valentine's Day! Whether you celebrate, or not, Linda hopes you hold some love for someone or something! Visit Linda at Teacher Dance to discover more.
Hmm, this new form, with your own words, Alan, shows how repeating lines punctuates the message, both clearly and quite subtly , too! From my POV, I love your POV!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed my viator poem, Linda - both subject and repeated refrain form.
DeleteThank you for sharing this new form, Alan. You certainly found an ideal application! “They sway oddly to music” caught me off-guard and made me laugh. I haven’t really worked with many looping/repetitive forms, so I might have some fun tinkering with this. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tracey. It felt good to get those words out there. Have fun tinkering...
DeleteYour poem is powerful and I feel every line. I’d like to try this form. It’s easy to remember and the refrain repeat is interesting.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Janice. So glad you like this poetry form. It is actually quite an uncomplicated form to follow. The repeated refrain helps move the poem forward.
DeleteYay for the viator form! I posted one last week, Alan. Quite different from yours, which shows how versatile they can be! https://irenelatham.blogspot.com/2025/02/flower-girl-wedding-poem.html
ReplyDeleteI missed PF last week, so I missed seeing your viator poem, Irene. I have now caught up with your post. It presents as living proof of the wide range of applications in which the viator form can be applied. From flower girls to autocratic leaders is something of an extensive leap. Versatile? -you are so right!
DeleteI'll have to try this! It's similar to the 4x4 form, but without the restrictive syllable count. Kind of a mini-pantoum, as it were. You used the repetition powerfully. We MUST use our art to push back!!
ReplyDeleteAs I wrangled these words into place, I found myself thinking of similar poetry forms Mary Lee. Without the syllabic restrictions more latitude is offered to the writer, no doubt about that. I fully concur with your closing remark about using our art to push back. We must continue to use our craft and our voices to speak out and up.
DeleteSuch a great form! The refain "thin skinned egotists" really says it all.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Marcie. It's a great feeling when you land on a refrain that works for you as a poet.
DeleteAlan, your poem is powerful and you chose the perfect form for your words which emphasizes the refrain. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cathy. Your supportive words give me strength to continue to raiase my poet's voice.
DeleteI think of your poem as an act of resistance, Alan, and I think in these times we need to do more of that. Thank you! The lines "thin skinned egotists mute diverse voices" says so much. I want to try this form. I imagine finding the right refrain makes all the difference.
ReplyDeleteYou are correct, Rose, it is indeed a form of resistance. I have no doubt you will find a most appropriate refrain to carry your words out to the world. Viva Viator!
DeleteThis form is new to me. I love your poem, and now I'm inspired to try the form!
ReplyDeleteThank you kindly, Linda. The viator awwaits you!
DeleteI always find cool things to try when I visit your blog, Alan. It's hard NOT to write poems of resistance right now, I think, even though politics rarely enters my poetry world normally. But these are extreme times. In your poem, that next to the last line is the stunner for me. So much of the poem shows what they're doing--in reality. It makes my heart and my gut ache. But that swaying oddly to the music really captures the surreality (?) of our world right now. It's really the line that resonates for me in its strangeness...
ReplyDeleteThank you, Laura for your kind response. I appreciate you picking up on the swaying oddly line, It just cried out to be included. Such a head scratchingly weird action to present to the world as part of your credentials. As John Lennon once remarked, 'Strange days indeed..."
DeleteAlan, Thank you for sharing your new poem and form. It says what I feel. Thank you for voicing your words. I agree with passion! I am so upset by the current state of affairs in the US. I left FB this week due to the deluge of ignorant comments about the firing of Federal Workers. It is illegal - what is happening! I did something today that I've never done - I contacted my Senator! Where is our Congress in this mess? Right now they are enabling a "Thin skinned egoist" and his lackies. Good to hear from you! Carol from The Apples in My Orchard.
ReplyDeleteCarol, even from this far away land, we are not immune to these unfolding events. The ripples are spreading globally and the impact is being felt with increasing anxiety with regard to what may follow. I applaud your actions. We should raise our voices and not allow oursleves to feel any sense of impotence in the face of these concerning actions. Thank you for your heartfelt response.
DeleteI've just felt so overwhelmed these past few weeks - the president of the united states keeps threatening to annex my country - I've never heard of anything so incredible. What strange world are we living in?! And where are the rest of the politicians - it feels like no one is challenging this would-be king. It's just too hard to believe.
ReplyDeleteJane, I fully understand your growing sense of unease. I believe such anxiety is growing across the globe. Even from the comparatively safe distance of Australia there is a growing sense of unease. Geo-political tension is being stirred by the irresponsible and selfish actions of this autocratic individual. I get the sense that Canadian resistance to these outrageous claims will only strengthen with each passing day. It was ridiculous and insulting proposal that he floated and deserves disdain. It is to be hoped that voices within US will eventually summon the courage to speak up and out. Bullies are only emboldened when they are not challenged or resisted. Go Canada!
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