The LAI is a poem made up 1 or more 9-line stanzas. The French verse form uses five-syllable and two-syllable lines as seen in the schematic below. The rhyme can vary between verses.



Example by Catherine Wilson:

Hidden Pain

For years, I have tried
to hide pain inside
of me.
Call it stubborn pride.
Really I’ve denied
the plea.
Strong on the outside
my heart truly cried
a sea.