To spare you of all the dribble of history and such, a Pantoum is a poem based on a particular pattern. Each stanza is a quatrain (consisting of 4 lines) which follow an ABAB rhyme pattern. The body of the poem has a specific pattern, allowing for lines to repeat, creating a musical flow that is enchanting and delightful. Here is the line pattern:
1 2 3 4 - Lines in first quatrain. 2 5 4 6 - Lines in second quatrain. 5 7 6 8 - Lines in third quatrain. 7 9 8 10 - Lines in fourth quatrain. 9 3 10 1 - Lines in fifth and final quatrain.
The numbers represent each line. So in the second stanza the first line is the same as line 2 in the stanza above, etc. following the pattern of repetition.
Create your own Pantoum and post them as a seperate topic so we can all share! Happy Writing. ~Lady Poe
-- Edited by Lady Poe at 21:17, 2007-10-19
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"..I don't care for your fairytales... - Sara Bareilles
