Saturday, August 11, 2018

Fussy Little Forms: Cavatina

Friends! Poets! Both! Time for playing with short forms. Let’s try the CAVATINA. 

Just recently came across this older Italian form, but to me, it seems like a sonnet variation--kinda? It features rhyme and syllable counting that together create a nice rhythm, and a couplet at the end.

Here are the rules: 

  • Ten-syllable non-rhyming line, 
  • Alternating with a four-syllable rhyming line, 
  • Repeated at least three times, 
  • Ending with a ten-syllable line couplet. 

Found this cute example online: 

Zilch Muse by Ryter Roethicle 

It's not the night or the music, it's me 
My muse has gone 
Too much work, too much pressure is enough 
She has withdrawn 
I sit here my glass of port as company 
Ideas, I have none 
My notes zilch, there's no inspiration there 
All ideas blown 
So I sit here drinking a lovely port 
No light has shone 
Another sip, appreciating God’s gift to me 
I must postpone 
No worldly wisdom to impart to you 
This time my foot is in some other's shoe.



Here is an article with many more examples: CAVATINA


Let’s try it!


7 comments:

Marian said...

Well, this form is more of a challenge than I thought it would be, heh. Enjoy!

Sanaa Rizvi said...

Loved the challenge, Marian💞 Sharing my poem "On the threshold of desire." Happy Weekend everyone💞

Kerry O'Connor said...

This is an interesting challenge. That alternately line may prove tricky.

Kim M. Russell said...

A tricky challenge, especially after a couple of days away from writing. I'll have to think about this...

Margaret said...

A bit silly and poking fun at my husband, but I enjoyed this challenge. Thanks!

Linda Lee Lyberg said...

Thanks for a great prompt- adding my link. I've never written a Cavatina before.

Vicki said...

Thanks for the challenge, I'm new to poetry and blogging. But, I'm hooked!