Englyn Madness II

[kborsden]

Ladies and gents of AW who remember the crooked rhyme Englyn form of Welsh poetry that I introduced (Englyn unodl crwc) and anyone else for that matter, I’ve been doing a little more digging into it and I’ve discovered another Englyn form, a more modern one, that also lends itself quite well to exercises, called the Englyn unodl pedwar (translates loosely as united forth rhyme Englyn). Basically the form is 4 lines of 6 and 2 lines of 7 syllables in which the forth syllable of each rhymes. The two 7 syllable lines can appear anywhere in the poem after the first line of 6. I have chosen in my example to place them at the end.


Example:

September folds into
seasonal mauve, clouded
eyes as skies cold, but still
in her smile blows a warm
breeze and a glow of sunbeams
cutting the flow of autumn.

Simple, right? Go ahead, give it a go…please.

[Dichroic]

I probably will try it, but meanwhile, can you tell us anything about the history of the form? Like what it was used for or how it evolved? Ineresting stuff - I know only that the Welsh have a very strong poetic tradition, but not any actual detail about it.

[Teena]

Fascinating! I'll try, but don't know if this fledgling effort has succeeded.

----------------

You speak at me, lips tight,
eyes roaming free, disengaged,
focussed out; see what you wrought,
what's come to be - this time
a parting we neither
wanted nor need, but have.

[kborsden]

click here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Englyn) for more info on the 8 main Englynion.

As for its history, the Englyn form is a traditional, religious and bard's form, used mainly to propagate and spread the word or to praise fallen and victorious heroes. It is an ancient form that predates most poetry known today.

[Ganesha]

hey welcome back
my very best to you Kie
G.

[Dichroic]

Taipei

The air is wet as mud;
The sky a fretted gray.
The heat besets and stifles
Life here. And yet the city's
Alive. Just let youself
Be caught - its net is life.

I thought it would be fun to describe something the ancient bards couldn't have imagined!

[poetinahat]

Is it the form, or the type of poet it attracts, that is responsible for the excellence of the entries in this thread so far?

In the words of the Housemartins, "Now that's what I call quite good".

[kborsden]

A quick attempt at a 3 verse Englyn, any good?

the door ajar reveals
a vista far beyond
it's frame; disbars an open
eye with disheartened grief
to ache my parted lids;
perched, I depart from my room.

I wander deep inside
the hum of sleep through heightened
nights and droll dreams denied,
while counting sheep with languid
autocracy and push
a climb too steep to try.

the summit falls with swift
plummeting walls that crumble
to my feet, calls from beyond
the light of dawn within
the squinted hall hailing
me to the shawl of life.

[Teena]

[quote=kborsden;2440090]A quick attempt at a 3 verse Englyn, any good?

Yes, quite good. I'm humbled. Thanks for a new experience, I hadn't heard of Englyn before and enjoyed the challenge.

[Nyna]

Beneath the soul tonight
I feel what holds my skin
down, feel the rolling, bucking
beast, know the hole's dug deep.
Beneath my soul tonight
something stirs, old and angry.

***
I have always had difficulty with the Welsh forms -- even the simpler ones. I keep having to force myself away from meter and end rhymes, with varying degrees of success. Still fun!

[Beyondian]

Call the shadows of the
night, these hollow gambolling
gremlins following a dark
twisted piper who leads
Beyond the show, the facade
Where do they go? Outside.

[Ganesha]

A repost of my poem, alas I didn't clearly understand your directions, my bad- I have amended my poem accordingly


December screams so blue
bitter tongue seems cold, snow
plow the white reams, but still she
within her witch dreams are chill
sun blessed beams do heat our
weather extremes in winter

[onestepp]

Hummingbird wing pulsates
musical spring, sunbeams
joyfully ring through grey clouds,
notes on scale sing, one day
heartily bring delights,
lullabyes zing Neverland.

[Ganesha]

Kie, I read and reread your poem and I am stunned into awe by your poem, you are so brilliant. I can't help but reflect such light. you are an inspiration for me.