Moon Follower (Quatern)

by Maple Tree   May 22, 2016


I'm following the orb of night
lanterns are lit, stars within sight
warriors gather near and far
people call me a Russian czar.

Frolicking shadow, gypsy sprite
I'm following the orb of night
slaughtering demons in my head
ghostly nightmares, forever dead.

Illuminating pathways gold
hidden stories start to unfold
I'm following the orb of night
escaping such an evil plight.

Reincarnated visions lost
before a dawn of early frost
trapped in silence, I start to write
I'm following the orb of night.

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Quatern

A Quatern is a sixteen line French form composed of four quatrains. It is similar to the Kyrielle and the Retourne. It has a refrain that is in a different place in each quatrain. The first line of stanza one is the second line of stanza two, third line of stanza three, and fourth line of stanza four. A quatern has eight syllables per line. It does not have to be iambic or follow a set rhyme scheme.

line 1
line 2
line 3
line 4

line 5
line 6 (line 1)
line 7
line 8

line 9
line 10
line 11 (line 1)
line 12

line 13
line 14
line 15
line 16 (line 1)

7


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Latest Comments

  • 7 years ago

    by Brenda

    Andrea, this is just wonderful! Beautiful imagery, really told a fascinating story. Really neat form. As usual you kicked butt and took names, well done!

  • 7 years ago

    by Ben Pickard

    Hello Maple

    This does seem like a difficult form and with my inexperienced eye, it looks like you have achieved it excellently.
    The rhyming is smooth and unforced as Samia points out and your imagery is unsurprisingly excellent!

    All the best Andrea -speak soon,
    Ben

  • 7 years ago

    by Mr. Darcy

    Hello Andrea,

    A challenging form executed well. Writing these pieces so that the refrain blends in is (in my mind) the most difficult part. It is like the 'orb' carries the reader through the poem safely through to the end just it does through a sinister night.

    Well done,

    Michael

  • 7 years ago

    by GB

    Enchanting to say the least!

    Great theme, rhyming as smooth as the glass and very lovely tone throughout the whole poem.Very beautifully penned, you did professional job with this form.

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