Fussy Little Forms: Shadorma

Greetings, Friends. Marian here, excited to host a weekend mini-challenge (which I have not done before!) and give thanks to Magaly and Kerry for the opportunity to step in. 

I was thinking about how I’ve been a bit stuck lately, not very productive, finding it challenging to write for many reasons--some of which I am certain are affecting other Toads as well. And I know that sometimes trying to write in tight verse or constrained lines can help get me going when I’m stuck. So, you are invited to join me in a monthly exercise focused on short and/or fussy form poems. I’ll try to find new (to me, anyway) forms and we’ll also revisit some that have been presented in the Garden previously.

Let’s start off easy! No rhyming today, just a simple six-line poem with a syllable count: the SHADORMA. Kerry introduced the shadorma back in 2012 and I find it very rewarding and fun to play with. The rules are simple:

• A six-line poem (or series of six-line stanzas)
• Syllable count by line: 3-5-3-3-7-5
• Not rhymed

Check out Kerry’s shadorma post for examples and ideas (plus lovely photos). I’ve written a bunch which you can view here if you like. I don’t know why some of mine have more than six lines, but what the heck. And, apologies in advance to you-know-who, as the shadorma is really a glorified/extended haiku.

Okay, ready? Shadorma away! If you are like me, this little form might get addictive, so please feel free to link up as many shadormas as you like. I can’t wait to read them all.