Friday, February 28, 2014

Fireblossom Friday: Rhyme Royal & W.T. Benda





Hello, dear Toads and Pond followers! Fireblossom here with another Fireblossom Friday. Today we're going to try the Rhyme Royal. It's pretty simple, really. 

The rhyme scheme is a-b-a-b-b-c-c. You can write seven-line stanzas, or you can break it up as a tercet and two couplets, like this:

a-b-a, b-b, c-c

OR as a quatrain and a tercet, like this:

a-b-a-b, b-c-c.

You can stop with seven lines, or repeat your pattern for as many stanzas as you like, making the Rhyme Royal a fine vehicle for narrative poetry. There is no syllable count, and although the Rhyme Royal is often written in iambic pentameter, we're not bothering with that today. Just follow the rhyme scheme and one of the seven line patterns I have laid out above.

Free verse option: for those who prefer to write free verse, here is your challenge. Write for any of the illustrations of W.T.Benda which I have included in this post. Wladyslaw Teodor Benda was born in Poland in 1873, and created illustrations for magazines, books and posters before dying in Newark, New Jersey in 1948. In his day, he was as well-known as Rockwell, Wyeth or Parrish, and his women have an exotic quality that I find quite appealing.

If you're really feeling adventurous, write a Rhyme Royal AND use one of Benda's illustrations to inspire you!

For this challenge, please write a NEW poem specifically for this challenge. Write a Rhyme Royal and/or something inspired by the art of W. T. Benda. Have fun! 

25 comments:

hedgewitch said...

I loved this one, Shay. Thanks for a great challenge.

Kay L. Davies said...

Love these pictures, Shay, especially the third one. Am going to try to write something.
I did try to write to Susie's prompt but my mind was full of sorrow and grief for my beloved niece whose husband had just died much too young.
Luv, K

Kerry O'Connor said...

Gorgeous artwork and a tricky little rhyme to sink one's teeth into.

Unknown said...

Loved the Images.I tried doing rhyme royal but ended up with free verse :) - Sfurti

Maude Lynn said...

These are SO gorgeous! Where did you find these, Shay?

Unknown said...

Love the art, Shay; and the form is a fun one. Will try to give it a go.

humbird said...

The art - very inspiring, but the royal rhymes...may be next time...Sorry. ~ Thanks, Fireblossom!

Ella said...

Her work is worldly dazzling-wow!
Thanks FB and happy Friday everyone~

I love her art-stunning~

Sherry Blue Sky said...

Oh man, I already wrote one rhyming poem this morning before seeing this prompt, which was unusual enough. I shall try to extricate another from the unwilling neurons.

Sherry Blue Sky said...

Cool images. Looking forward to reading the offerings.....

Sumana Roy said...

Wonderful images Shay..I tried my hands at tercet and two couplets....

Kerry O'Connor said...

I'm afraid mine ended up sounding like nursery rhymes, but I had some fun with the pictures as inspiration.

Damon said...

Hello again. came back to open my blog and I invite you to go to look at :)
lovely blog as always and excellent material
regards

Susan said...

I tried Rhyme Royal, but--since Angela Davis was on my mind--did not use the WT Benda illustrations. The result is not as magical as the form is meant to be, I think. I will try it again another day.

Kay L. Davies said...

Wow, I came up with something, which surprised me, so maybe I'm out of my slump. Then again, maybe not.
Luv, K

Isadora Gruye said...

i don't do rhymes, so I am abstaining, however, I am liking what I am reading of our offerings. Viva la

Anonymous said...

late in, but have enjoyed the prompt and responses ~

Jim said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jim said...

Hi Shay. I'm running late also. I would have liked to have done a string but one set was plenty for me after we returned from the theatre.
It was a fun write, thank you.
..

Fireblossom said...

Izy--do the free verse option, then, silly!

Kenia Santos said...

It's Saturday afternoon but I'll try and write anyway. :)

Gorgeous work. <3

Hannah said...

Beautiful...thank you!

Lolamouse said...

Loved these images! Thanks for introducing me to this artist, Shay!

Anonymous said...

LOVE the art of W. T. Benda ~ i was not at all familiar with his work. thanks for introducing me to him. (sort of, since he's dead...)

said...

I love this artwork.