A Quatern is a sixteen line French form composed of four quatrains. It is similar to the Kyrielle, which repeats line 4 as a refrain throughout the poem. However, with the Quatern, the refrain is in a different place in each quatrain. The first line of stanza one is the second line of stanza two, third line of stanza three, and fourth line of stanza four. A quatern has eight syllables per line. It does not have to be iambic or follow a set rhyme scheme.
Schema:
line 1
line 2
line 3
line 4
line 5
line 6 (line 1)
line 7
line 8
line 9
line 10
line 11 (line 1)
line 12
line 13
line 14
line 15
line 16 (line 1)
All lines have 8 syllables.
For those who prefer the Free Verse option of this challenge, please write to the theme of FOUR.
In keeping with the spirit of the mini-challenge, only new poems are called for as the post airs at noon on Saturday to allow extra time for the creative process.
Photo Credits:
Four people - photo credit: greekadman via photopin cc
Four glasses - photo credit: nickwheeleroz via photopin cc
Four horses - photo credit: Hindrik S via photopin cc
Source
Thanks for stretching our poetic muscles with this form Kerry ~
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend to everyone ~
Mine is a combo of prompts so I've linked it up here and on Margaret's prompt. My writing has slowed down somewhat this month.
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to dig my teeth into a form, Kerry, and I like the sound of this one. Thanks for finding it and explaining it so clearly. I will see if between now and tomorrow something bubbles up in the witchy cauldron--I, too have been rather stuck in the writing department of late.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the challenge, something I'd never tried before.
ReplyDeleteOff to make tea my head is dancing with ideas or maybe it is those horses trotting on my head-lol.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kerry! I am going to attempt this-I think I can...
Ah.. mine is a little inspired by the prompt at dVerse to.. I love and dream of my mountain summers... hmm...
ReplyDeleteoohhh...this was kind of hard. I decided just to have fun with it...and I was a little hungry
ReplyDeleteChallenging. I love the pics.
ReplyDeleteNot easy, but fun!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kerry, this form worked out very well for an assignment that I needed to create for a writing/dance workshop tomorrow afternoon...I will post the resulting poem tomorrow evening.
ReplyDeleteSo grateful, I loved working with the Quatern!!
Happy Sunday to all! :)
I really enjoy these. I learn much.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Thanks for head's up, Kelly. I appreciate it. Only way to learn.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day.
I took a few liberties, with the refrain, and missed one syllable count, but hope that can be overlooked--enjoyed this much--back later to visit.
ReplyDeleteI have done form again. Expect the End Times presently.
ReplyDeleteGreat challenge Madam Toad! Leaving Los Angeles this evening with plenty of time to pond-er during the flight home!
ReplyDeleteIt's not easy being Green. Happy Sunday to you all!
ReplyDeleteI will submit mine Monday … busy with the family all weekend. (really, I'm not putting off the "form" challenge at all :)
ReplyDeletei'm late, but really enjoyed this form, Kerry. thanks so much! i might post this for Monday too. as i haven't written anything else of late, grrr.
ReplyDelete…done. What sweet torture :)
ReplyDelete