Today's quick challenge is the Puente form.
"Puente" means "bridge" in Spanish, and the so-named poetic form is built around one. This intriguing form was invented by poet James Rasmusson and described by ShadowPoetry.com.
Constructed in three stanzas, the first and third are separate thoughts, conditions or elements, but share an equal number of lines (at the poet’s discretion) and the center "bridge" stanza. This middle stanza is but one line and is enclosed in tildes (~) to distinguish itself as both the last line of the first stanza and the first line of the last stanza.
The meter and rhyming are at the poet's discretion, free verse being perfectly acceptable. The title has no guidelines; it doesn’t have to match the bridge stanza like the example below.
(Author: Jack Huber)
Example
To Find a Better Life “I can’t read or write but experience taught me wrong from right” were grandpa’s final words as Roberto began his journey on the migrant trail ~to find a better life~ he’d suffer hunger, thirst and blistered feet to leave the Mixteca world of the Zapotec to become a stranger in a strange land.
Copyright © 2008 James RasmussonAs printed on ShadowPoetry.comThis link remains open all week for anyone who would like to post a poem later than Sunday.
18 comments:
I have linked an old poem, written when I first attempted this form (actually back when I was first attempting poetry - Yeesh!). It's flawed, but will serve to get the ball rolling.
I'd never heard of a Puente so mine is a first attempt. I like the idea.
Beautiful form and I had never heard about it before. I'm not sure I'll be able to take the challenge but I'll visit the participants. <3
This is gonna be fun! Thanks, Kerry!
I posted. To my own blog, I thought. But my post is here. I apologize as I look for a manner to remove it.
No harm done, Old Raven. I think it would be better if I removed the post, since it is your personal response to the challenge, and then you can repost it on your blog...just to avoid confusion. I think the pics are beautiful and should be part of your archive at Crow's Fete.
one of those rare occasions when I have managed to respond to a form and a prompt - hope like it.
I used something I wrote long ago. The bridge line was always there, meant to be a bridge but not recognized as a poetic form.
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel
I really enjoyed this. Thanks, Kerry!
Although I haven't written anything for this challenge, I really think I'd love to write Puentes, their flow is so beautiful and I love the poems linked here.
God, its a great education I'm getting - first awdls now puentes!
that is a lovely form, thank you, kerry!
i'll be back to read all of your poems, friends. xo marian
Thanks for introducing me to this poetic form and for sharing your brilliant example.
amazing form. these things take me a while, but i really like this. heading out to see everyone's work!
Never heard of this form before but I enjoyed trying it! Thanks.
I loved finding this form. How interesting.
Thnaks.
Interesting form..not sure I captured it, but I gave it a try.
Puente is probably too fine a name for my poem, so I'll just call it a bridged double etheree... :)
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