FREE RHYME QUATRAIN
This form was created by Hugh Tague on 3/9/13. It’s a modified version of the quatrain (a stanza, or a complete poem, consisting of four lines of verse.)
As its title suggest FREE RHYME QUATRAIN is a combination of rhymed lines, and free/blank verse giving the reader a feeling of the fluid, prose-like verse normally associated with free verse while connecting stanzas together with rhymed lines.
1.) FREE RHYME QUATRAIN is 20 lines with 10 syllables per line (iambic pentameter) organized into five, four line stanzas.
2.) The first two lines are free / blank verse, with no rhyming structure whatsoever, followed by a rhyming couplet; either a hard rhyme (true, blue) or a soft rhyme (burst, thirst).
3.) The fifth stanza consist of the first two free lines (a, b). This may reoccur from anywhere in the poem but usually from one or both of the first two stanzas. (d, e) (g, h) (j, k) (m, n).
4.) The same rules apply to the recurring rhyming couplet.
A typical rhyming scheme is;
a-b-c-c
d-e-f-f
g-h-i-i
j-k-l-l
a-d-c-c
Modifying the rhyming scheme is just part of what makes the
Free Rhyme Quatrain a fun and versatile poetic form.
Example;
(Free Rhyme Quatrain)
“Springtime’s Glory”
Winters snow falls victim to the suns rays (a)
the once hard soil softens with springs touch (b)
sleeping trees roots awaken with great thirst (c)
from their mighty branches newborn buds burst. (c)
The sun’s light cuts through the still sparse treetops (d)
bright green sprouts bursting through the earths crust (e)
a cold fast creek feeds the now thawing lake (f)
tiny birds search about for worms to take. (f)
A warm breeze drifts across the forest floor (g)
a hawk soars high on spring fired air currents (h)
a carpet of clover fills A clearing (i)
along our path bluebells are appearing. (i)
Broken tree limbs winter’s wrath remembered (j)
the Falls fell leaves are now springs top soil (k)
shades of brown take on green and golden hues (l)
migrating birds make the trip home to roost (l)
The sun’s light cuts through the still sparse treetops (a)
the once hard soil softens with springs touch (b)
sleeping trees roots awaken with great thirst (c)
from their mighty branches newborn buds burst. (c)
Copyright © 03/09/13 Hugh Hugh Tague
