For this post, I attempted to write some poems in the poetic form known as Ovillejo. I was reading about this form, and it was new to me, so I decided to give it a try. I found it to be much more challenging than I expected, but I did finally come up with the following three poems. They felt forced to me when I wrote them, but I think I followed the rules, and it was interesting to try something new. For more examples of this type of poem, read this post and the comments that follow it. Their examples are much better than mine.
Ovillejo poetry is written in the following form:
Line 1: an a rhyme in 8 syllables
Line 2: an a rhyme in 3-4 syllables
Line 3: a b rhyme in 8 syllables
Line 4: a b rhyme in 3-4 syllables
Line 5: a c rhyme in 8 syllables
Line 6: a c rhyme in 3-4 syllables
Line 7: a c rhyme in 8 syllables
Line 8: a d rhyme in 8 syllables
Line 9: a d rhyme in 8 syllables
Line 10: (Line 2) (Line 4) (Line 6)
In other words, it is a ten-line poem that is comprised of three rhyming couplets and a quatrain. Lines two, four, and six are repeated to create line ten.
This first poem is somewhat of a response to all the sadness that has been in the news lately.
The Answer
Best route to peace? Both hers and his?
Kindness is.
What will end hate, dissolve anger?
The answer?
Having compassion is our call.
Above all!
Build a new bridge. Tear down the wall.
Communicate. Have empathy.
Look through their eyes. See what they see.
Kindness is. The answer. Above all!
* * * * *
This next one is a small nod to Father's Day this weekend. Happy Father's Day to any Dads who might be reading this.
Father’s Day
Who’s there for you when times are bad?
Dear old Dad.
Head and shoulders above the rest?
He’s the best.
What’s the right thing for you to do?
Say thank you!
On Father’s Day, if you’ve no clue,
give Dad some love straight from your heart.
He has been there right from the start.
Dear old Dad. He’s the best. Say thank you!
* * * * *
This last one is about the flowers growing in my yard of late, just because they bring me so much joy.
My Flowers
What brings me joy in every hue?
My flowers do.
What do they do all in a row?
Nothing but grow.
Why do they bloom triumphantly?
To please me.
For the butterflies, bees, and me.
They show off in color and style.
They stay for a day or a while.
My flowers do. Nothing but grow. To please me.
* * * * *
So that you can enjoy my flowers too, here are a few photos of what is in bloom lately.
