Flow of the seasons (Rictameter)

by Daniel J   Oct 30, 2005


Rictameter:
A rictameter is a nine line poetry form. The 1st and the last lines are the same and the syllable count is as follows: -

Line 1 - 2 syllables - same as line 9
Line 2 - 4 syllables
Line 3 - 6 syllables
Line 4 - 8 syllables
Line 5 - 10 syllables
Line 6 - 8 syllables
Line 7 - 6 syllables
Line 8 - 4 syllables
Line 9 - 2 syllables - same as line 1
---------------

...Look now,
Rusty colours,
Upon the browny trees.
Colours have changed, now all is white,
Until all the snow escapes from our sight.
Spring is bidden, flowers have bloomed,
The sun is out,
Summer again,
Look now...
---------------

The idea of this is to start at the top, show how the seasons change, get to the bottom, and then re-start.
Though I think of haikus, Ricatemeters and single-Cinquain poems as extremely constricting (just take a look at the modern-cinquain!), a rictameter was perfect for this sort of poem, because I wanted to emphasise the swift change of the year.

For a single week is nothing, and four of these weeks make up a similar miniscule amount of time, whilst just 3 of these months comprise a single season. With only 4 seasons in a year, it\'s no time before the new years begins again, and everything is then repeated.
The year flies by.

Same with the poem. Too quick. Too fast. Welcome to life....

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Latest Comments

  • 17 years ago

    by Marjan

    Here where we live never gets white :(
    everyday, I can feel the summer on my way coming back from school and well, it's a little too much. but well, that's how it's going to be till the end and we're used to it anyway :)
    I liked the way you had written about all the seasons in just a few lines. that must have been hard to do.
    take care,
    Marjan

  • 18 years ago

    by Steven Beesley

    Very nicely done!

    Regards,

    Steve

  • 18 years ago

    by Jaime

    I can not think of a single other person who could write like that, it's amazing really.

    I must say I miss reading new stuff from you, so you'd better post lots when you get back lol. Good luck on your studying!~
    -Jaime

  • 18 years ago

    by Krete

    I really love your open teaching on these different ways to write. And I'm especially fond of what you write of. Autumn is such a beautiful time of the year - well at least where I live. But in the UK, England, my sister tells me it's always raining.

    Oh well.

    I loved the changes, the transitions are sweet and in harmony to your rictameter. The most enjoyful part of this piece is that you leave it open. I do so hope you write another to conlude, or keep open ended:

    '...Look Now
    Look Now..."

    A Delight!

    5/5

  • 18 years ago

    by RadianceInReverse

    I loved it....Daniel...Thanks agian for intoduceing me to a new form of poetry writing...Much Love...Joclyn