I’m a Survivor!

Yes, I’m a survivor. The whole month of April was dedicated to a-z 2016 blogging challenge and boy, was it fun, but tough! I really enjoyed the experience. Thanks to everyone, see you again next year! cheers!

For: Did you SURVIVE the #AtoZChallenge?

Z is for ZaniLa Rhyme

The ZaniLa Rhyme, a form created by Laura Lamarca, consists 4 lines per stanza.
The rhyme scheme for this form is abcb and a syllable count of 9/7/9/9 per stanza.
Line 3 contains internal rhyme and is repeated in each odd numbered stanza.
Even stanzas contain the same line but swapped.
The ZaniLa Rhyme has a minimum of 3 stanzas and no maximum poem length.

TELL ME I’M YOUR BELLE FOREVERMORE

Speak to me like there’s no tomorrow
Lead me to the light of hope
Tell me I’m your belle forevermore
Let’s have an exchange so I can cope

Kiss me like when we were in Paris
As we viewed Monet’s garden
I’m your belle forevermore, tell me
Strolled along the Seine like in heaven

We drink to our health and consenting
We count our blessing as well
Tell me I’m your belle forevermore
Like lavender, daisies and bluebell

(c) ladyleemanila 2016

For: last day of NaPoWriMo and Zip, Zap, Zoom! #atozchallenge

Y is for Yoyo

A poetic form created by Lencio Dominic Rodrigues, the Lento is named after it’s creator, taken from his first name Lencio and rhymed to Cento, an existing form of poetry.

A Lento consists of two quatrains with a fixed rhyme scheme of abcb, defe as the second and forth lines of each stanza must rhyme. To take it a step further, but not required, try rhyming the first and third lines as well as the second and forth lines of each stanza in this rhyming pattern: abab, cdcd. The fun part of this poem is thrown in here as all the FIRST words of each verse should rhyme. There is no fixed syllable structure to the Lento, but keeping a good, flowing rhythm is recommended.

like a yoyo, you play with it, make it spin
suchlike it, there’s always a string attached
bike and roller-skate and other games, such fun
hike, climb, run, hide-and-seek and some match

back to yoyo and games we used to play
track and field, football and volleyball
knack for it or not, doesn’t really matter
jack of all trades, depending on the call

(c) ladyleemanila 2016

For: Just one day left in NaPoWriMo and Y – You, Your, You’re and You Are “AWESOME”

X is for Xylophone

The La’libertas, a 22-line (4/6/4/6/2) poetic form created by Laura Lamarca. The stanza rules are as follows:

Stanza 1 – rhyme scheme ABBA, 8 syllables per line.
Stanza 2 – Free verse, 6 lines ONLY
Stanza 3 – Rhyme scheme BAAB, 8 syllables per line.
Stanza 4 – Free verse, 6 lines ONLY
Couplet – Italian (Any language acceptable)

How the La’libertas for got its name is from the word “libertas” which is Latin for “liberty” and “La” is Laura Lamarca’s signature.

ballad over a xylophone
striking a row of wooden bars
like the sound of stringed sitar
he sang in a rich baritone

just like his heart
his voice rich and meaty
singing to his dear
who’s all ears to him
on this serenade
such joy to watch

the xylophone’s sweet melody
with the trombone and tambourine
appreciating music with grin
a night to remember with glee

as we walk
by the silvery moon
we held hands
ah! this is life
rich in music
rich in love

ang kapangyarihan ng pag-ibig
ikaw at ako magpakailanman*

* The power of love
you and me forever

(c) ladyleemanila 2016

For: Happy 28th! Day of NaPoWriMo and #atozchallenge — Starts with X!

W is for Wrapped Refrain

The Wrapped Refrain, created by Jan Turner, consists of 2 or more stanzas of 6 lines each; Meter: 8,8,8,8,12,12 and Rhyme Scheme: a,a,b,b,c,c.

Refrain rule: In each stanza the first 4 syllables (or 4 single-syllable words) in the first line must be the last 4 syllables (or 4 single-syllable words) at the end of the last line. This is what wraps each stanza with a repeated refrain …thus, the Wrapped Refrain.

Optional: The first stanza refrain and last stanza refrain can be joined (or loosely joined) together for the title of the poem.

DON’T WORRY, LIFE IS BRILLIANT

Don’t worry about me, I’m fine
Without question I’m always thine
Things you can’t control, don’t worry
Worry about things like our tea
And if there’s a problem, we’ll solve it coolly
Just be happy and contend with life, don’t worry

Life is brilliant and fun as well
Giving love a pride of huge swell
Together we face challenges
Whooped into the sea as we plunged
Swim with the fish, have a picnic by the seafront
Dance by the light of the full moon, life is brilliant

(c) ladyleemanila 2016

For: 27th Day of NaPoWriMo and Woohoo! Almost survived the #atozchallenge!

V is for Villanelle

The villanelle, like the other French forms, does have many of the same properties: plenty of rhyme and repetition. This French form was actually adapted from Italian folk songs (villanella) about rural life. One of the more famous contemporary villanelles is “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night,” by Dylan Thomas.

The villanelle consists of five tercets and a quatrain with line lengths of 8-10 syllables. The first and third lines of the first stanza become refrains that repeat throughout the poem. It looks like this:

A(1)
b
A(2)

a
b
A(1)

a
b
A(2)

a
b
A(1)

a
b
A(2)

a
b
A(1)
A(2)

VIOLET
Violet is such a pretty flower
Springing up by the roadside
The sun is making it brighter

Its aroma makes me calmer
The countryside is beautified
Violet is such a pretty flower

Violet is such a splendour
Like being in heaven, I sighed
The sun is making it brighter

He gave it to me to ease my anger
He said sorry and we both cried
Violet is such a pretty flower

A poem was made and I’m the author
With all the inspiration it provides
The sun is making it brighter

Violet is such a charmer
I always put it by my bedside
Violet is such a pretty flower
The sun is making it brighter

(c) ladyleemanila 2016

For: 26th day of NaPoWriMo and Victory Lap at the #AtoZChallenge !

U is for Unknown

The Florette, created by Jan Turner, consists of two or more 4-line stanzas.

Rhyme scheme: a,a,b,a
Meter: 8,8,8,12
Fourth line requirement of internal (b) rhyme scheme, on syllable 8.

Like the outgrowing of a small flower, the forth line of each stanza is longer, and enwraps the previous lines. Line #4 requires an internal rhyme scheme that rhymes the eighth syllable with the end of line #3, and continues to add on four more syllables than the other lines so that the fourth line ends rhyming with lines #1 and #2.

what is this fear, that of unknown?
ignorance and not being shown
venturing out is not that bad
new experience for us to add, so let’s not moan

some delicate juggling process
we don’t know and we have to guess
trial and error is required
anything to make us inspired, don’t need stress

(c) ladyleemanila 2016

For: Happy final Monday of NaPoWriMo and Ultima Hora – The last week of the #atozchallenge is here!

T is for The Tableau

The Tableau, a poetry form created by Emily Romano in October of 2008, consists of one or more verses, each having six lines. Each line should have five beats. There is no set rhyme scheme, although rhyme may be present. The title should contain the word tableau.

Since the dictionary states the word tableau means picture or representation, the poem should reflect this. A picture should come to mind as the poem is read.

TEACHING TABLEAU
Twenty years teaching
Lots of experience
Lots of memories
Fun and happiness
Bonding with learners
Investing in them

Flexible programme
Depends on their needs
Echelons and wish
Groups or one-on-one
In firms and schools
Theories and practice

(c) ladyleemanila 2016

For: 23rd day of NaPoWriMo and Tell us about your fave #AtoZChallenge Twitter Moments!

S is for Spirit’s Vessel

Spirit’s Vessel, a poetry form created by Christina R Jussaume on April 7, 2008, consists of three stanzas of six lines each of six syllables each. These stanzas must start with the letters VESSEL OF YOUR last word is 6 letters and your choice. The poem must be uplifting in content and spiritual in nature. It may be with or without rhyme. Rhyme is a plus. It should be left justified.

SOUL TO SOUL
Vessel of your love, dear
I’m here to give you cheer
As the birds fly and sing
See what the day will bring
We pace by the sunlit
And dance by the moonlit

Vessel of your courage
We honour our marriage
In sickness and in health
In silence and stealth
Together we face life
We try not to strife

Vessel of devotion
Shown by words and action
Challenges we can take
And we swim by the lake
Make our own history
We go through life with glee

(c) ladyleemanila 2016

For: Happy Earth Day! and What’s your #atozchallenge Story?

R is for Rondel

Rondel – A French form consisting of 13 lines: two quatrains and a quintet, rhyming as follows: ABba abAB abbaA. The capital letters are the refrains, or repeats.

A RONDEL FOR ROLINDA
Remember our times in Amsterdam last year?
We had a great week, just the two of us
No fuss, as we took the train and the bus
Some of the things we saw were queer

We got lost, but we always say cheer
It didn’t matter, as we walked aimless
Remember our times in Amsterdam last year?
We had a great week, just the two of us

We chat and with beer, such cool atmosphere
And the cruise by the lake, that was a bonus
Of course, things they sold, they were madness
Walked a lot, good thing we got decent footgear
Remember our times in Amsterdam last year?

(c) ladyleemanila 2016

For: 21st Day of NaPoWriMo and R is always going to be for RETRO!