Sally Roberts

Hey! Ever hear of a Paradelle Poem?

A Paradelle is a difficult french poetic form first used in the eleventh century. This fixed form of poetry consists of four six-line stanzas with a repetitive pattern.

First Three Stanzas:

The first two lines, as well as the third and fourth lines of the first three stanzas MUST be the same (repeat). Where it begins to get difficult and become more of a poetic puzzle, is when reaching fifth and sixth lines. These lines MUST contain ALL the words from the preceding four lines within the stanza using them only once to form completely new lines.

Last Stanza:

For the most difficult piece of this poetic puzzle, the final stanza of the paradelle does not repeat like the preceding stanzas, rather the final six lines MUST contain EVERY word from the first three stanzas, and ONLY those words, again using them only ONCE to form completetly new lines.



I would like to see if anyone else will take this challenge.
I'll begin with the one I wrote called.

"Beneath The Dripping Cypress Trees"

'Tis the breeze beneath the cypress trees,
'Tis the breeze beneath the cypress trees.
Where shady branches bend and bow,
Where shady branches bend and bow.
Beneath the bend and branches breeze,
Where the cypress' bow 'tis shady trees.

Ink like stains of sap fold down,
Ink like stains of sap fold down.
Brown and dripping tears that keep,
Brown and dripping tears that keep.
Sap-like ink and stains of brown,
Tears that fold keep dripping down.

Will such variegated colors blend,
Will such variegated colors blend.
Away within envelope of leaves,
Away within envelope of leaves.
Of such colors envelope within,
Variegated leaves away will blend.

Within the sap 'tis shady brown,
And keep the breeze of that fold down.
Variegated stains away will blend,
Where colors bow and branches bend.
Tears of ink envelope like leaves,
Beneath such dripping cypress trees.


Blessings
Sally

Benny

I cannot do this right now, but I shall try! I love the flow of this form of poetry...and you did a great job!

Altree94

Sally; This is a fantastic form and I would love to try it! I need some other info first though.
1) Does it HAVE to rhyme? And if so,
2) Does it have a particular rhyme scheme?
3) Must it have a definite number of syllables per line?
4) Must it pertain to any particular subject?

Please let us know! TY!
BTW - Have you let MsJ know about it so that she can add it to the Poetry-defined section?

MsJacquiiC

Hey SALLY - Great piece - fascinating poetic form... Your poem expresses a type of melancholy though. The picture I get is of the weeping willow. Majestically somber, perhaps depressed or so, recalling memories of long ago time. Good memories and wondering if ever such happiness can take place again....

Anyway - enjoy the read - I'll do a little bit of research before adding it to the Poetry-Defined section.

Thanx for the sharing.

Jacquii.

Sally Roberts

Greetings fellow writers:

Benny: Thank you for your reply. Indeed this type of poem is a difficult one. It took me quite a while to piece it all together. I hope you can take the challenge.

Altree: Nope this type of poem does not have to rhyme. but being a rhymster I had to do it that way. It also doesn't have any restrictions on the syllable count so you're safe there too. And lastly, The subject of the poem is entirely your own choice. I hope you can take the challenge.

MsJacquii: Yes indeed it does sound like a weeping willow. When I wrote it, it was a challenge from another email poetry group, who had a subject on Cypress Trees and I indeed wanted to share it with all of you. Thanks so much for your comments.

Blessings
Sally

Benny

This is indeed a puzzle that I cannot seem to talk my mind into sitting down quietly and attempting...but I shall because I can't stand to think I cannot do something! Ok, there...lol

nomadicrhymer

Glad I found this thread...a new year challenge for sure...thanks Sally! I shall try to squeeze an hour away from the chillens today and give it a go!