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.
