A ruba’i. A Persian form — multiple stanzas in the ruba’i form are a rubaiyat, as in The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. Basically, a ruba’i is a four-line stanza, with a rhyme scheme of AABA.
My favourite in this style? Robert Frost’s Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening, which uses this rhyme scheme. I used his first line as inspiration, having taken a walk down (video) to the frog pond with my girls.
The Cycle of Life in the Woods
 |
| Bullfrog tadpole |
Whose woods these are I think I know.
For Mother Nature's sure to show
All the wonders she's created
This vernal pool won't last long, though.
Spring it seems was most belated
Anxiously we all awaited
Flora and fauna they do awake
Veritable wonders I know are slated.
 |
| Painted turtle |
Lusty things they are not sated
Singing songs of love divine
All day long they weren't deflated.
Underneath tadpoles are fine
Lots of food on which to dine
I just hope they won't be dinner
Painted turtles they won't decline.
 |
| I'm not here! |
No one there is called a sinner
Dog eat dog is all survival
The one who wins is the best swimmer.
Frog pond fishing from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.
Another beautiful poem and wonderful video. Cute girls. I bet you are one proud grandma.
ReplyDeleteThat tadpole is very different from the ones I have seen!!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for the definition of rubaiyat. I had never thought to wonder what it was...
Hari OM
ReplyDeleteThree more wonderful "word-pictures"...which hints at my favourite from this batch! YAM xx
Trying these many exercises is a good way to get your feet wet and try more poetry. Stopping be a Woods on a Snowy Evening is one of my favorite poems.
ReplyDeleteTerrific visuals in this poem. I'd heard the term before, but had no idea what it meant.
ReplyDeleteWhen you decide to get back to writing poetry, you don't stop, do you? You're doing great with NaPoWriMo. I'm not even trying.
ReplyDeleteLoved the video. And the turtle is wonderful. But that tadpole really takes the cake, as my grandparents would have said. I've never seen such a big, fat tadpole. I am IMpressed!
Luv, K