English Ode Notes

Historically the ode form was brought to England at about the same time as the sonnet and was used by many poets. The English Ode uses a rhyme schema of four-line Sicilian stanza and an Italian sestet.ababcdecde fgfghijhij… and so on Example Ode to Future Past by Divena Collins Oh warm South wind come blow …

Decastich Notes

From ‘The Book of Forms’ by Lewis Turco, the Decastich is any complete poem of 10 lines. There is no mention of meter, syllable count or rhyme schematics giving a lot of scope to the poet for experimentation and exploration of ideas. Example: Heart Fruit by Terry Clitheroe My fantasies of yougo beyond the realm …

Dizain Notes

A French form and originally would have consisted of eight syllable lines, but later in English poetry ten syllable lines often iambic pentameter were also used. These days it’s very much up to the poet The rhyme scheme is ababbbccdcd and so on Example: Realisation by Terry Clitheroe A falling star streaks above the EarthThe …

Decuain Notes

Created by Shelley A Cephas the Decuain is a 10-line form and can be used for any subject. Conventionally the 10 lines should be decasyllabic or iambic pentameter with one of three rhyme schemes Structure: 10 lines per stanza over three endline rhymesMeter: Decasyllabic or iambic pentameterSchema: ababbcbcaa or ababbcbcbb or ababbcbccc Example: A Writer’s …

Sonnetina Uno

The first of the sonnetinas, the Sonnetina Uno is a ten-line form written in iambic tetrameter, pentameter or any other consistent meter. It is a blank verse. Example Unspeakable Need by Jez Farmer A whisper of lavender calls a dream, In gentle words that dare the heart to care As darker thoughts recall how love …