Poet Quest 5

Inspiration

Answer the question, “Who am I?” in verse.

Knowledge

In quest 1, we learned about stanzas. A stanza is like a paragraph in literature. Today, we are going to incorporate rhymes into a specific type of stanza.

Rhyme - In poetry, the most common form of rhyme is when the last (or end) syllables share the same sounds.

Rhyme Scheme - You may see something like ABAB or ABCB, or in today’s challenge, AA. In ABAB, the first and third end syllables rhyme AND the second and fourth end syllables rhyme. This pattern of end rhymes is a rhyme scheme.

Couplet - A stanza with two lines. Typically, you write a couplet to rhyme, but it doesn’t have to. The rhyme scheme is typically AA or whatever letters fit the end of the poem.

(For example, a sonnet, which is 14 lines split into 4 stanzas, ends in a couplet: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. You don’t have to remember this.)

The couplet is important because it is the last thing your reader will hear and think about.

For example ‘Home of Peace’:

Fresh dew on these stones
Rests above endless homes

Rhyming example ‘Eagle Mother’:

Feathers fall behind and below the predator’s course
With keen eyes and sharp talons, she takes her prey by force

Encouragement

Attempt to write lines that have impact and description. It’s okay if you don’t write them right away. It takes time, observation and introspection, but you can do it! Keep going!

Challenge

Write three different couplets of any length, but try to use an end rhyme for them.

Part 1. Write a couplet about what you see out your window.

Part 2. Write a couplet about what you see in your mind.

Part 3. Write a couplet answering the question “Who am I?”

Then, if you’re up for it, share it in the comments or send it to me via carrier pigeon (e-mail) here for feedback.