Saturday, February 09, 2008

Triolets

The things we learn everyday! Just this morning I found out what a Triolet is.

It's a short 8-line poem in which the first two lines are repeated as the last two lines and the first line is also line 4. Lines 3 and 5 rhyme with line 1. Line 6 rhymes with line 2. It will all become much more clear with this very topical example by my favourite poet Wendy Cope.

Valentine

My heart has made its mind up A
And I'm afraid it's you B
Whatever you've got lined up, a
My heart has made its mind up A
And if you can't be signed up a
This year, next year will do. b
My heart has made its mind up A
And I'm afraid it's you. B

In the above example, the capital letters in bold at the end of each line symbolise the same line repeated. While the lower case letter mark those rhyming with others. Google for other examples. It's really quite simple once you read a few of them Triolets.

Now here's what I want you to do. I want you to try your hand at writing Triolets. And I'll give you time till the 28th of this month. But there's a catch. There's an entrance fee. And it's this. You'll have to do something nice to a stranger. It can be to a neighbour offering to walk her dog one afternoon. To an old lady, helping her cross the road. Or simply by donating blood. You can choose your own entry fee. And once you've done it, make a mention of it in your email and send it along with your Triolet to ammania@gmail.com

The winners will be announced on this blog on the 29th of February 2008. I would also like to invite sponsors for prizes 1, 2 and 3. If there are no sponsors then we'll settle for a mention on this blog.

All set? Good luck and triolet away!

9 comments:

ammani said...

I went to Asda
To buy a pack of buns
For the bastard
I went to Asda.
For me I got some custard
And wishing he'd get the runs
I went to Asda
To buy a pack of buns
--

There's something amiss about the rhyme structure but this was quite some fun.

My entry fee, I let a car ahead of me to take 'my' parking space in a very crowded Tesco today.

arjun narayanan said...

Hi I'm a returning blogger and used to read your short tales once.

heres my ten minutes worth.

My good dead for the day I took some chinese kids in my dpearment who dont really talk to anyone out to a broadway show!

Here it is!

Theres a full moon above my head
But I Look down at my feet
I remember the old life we lead
Theres a full moon above my head
I remember everything you said
Oh I wish we could once more meet
Theres a full moon above my head
But I Look down at my feet

Shiv said...

...hvd...
Tender, thy Love and Charm, Vivid in my mind
Ineffable, the feeling, a new one to come
Thoughts of Oneness, that sure will bind
Tender, thy Love and Charm, Vivid in my mind
Someone like you, Am indeed lucky to find
Treasure you are, As always awesome
Tender, thy Love and Charm, Vivid in my mind
Ineffable, the feeling, a new one to come

Entry Fee : Helped a couple with directions to an address near my apartment.

Unknown said...

What happened to all the men?
Is chivalry really dead?
It is hardly half past ten
What happened to all the men?
Never thought we’d see it when
Away from us, they’ll head
What happened to all the men?
Is chivalry really dead?

My entry fee:
Babysat for my neighbour while went to the gorcery.

Kannathil said...

I emailed you mine, hope you got it.

Jade said...

Entry fee: Donated blood yesterday.

The dry old oak by the gate
Casts its shadow on the wall.
Its enemy, the creeper I hate,
Casts its shadow on the wall.
Alas! The creeper has, of late,
Been winning the tug of war.
The dry old oak by the gate
Casts its shadow on the wall.

Unknown said...

Today just isn’t my day
Got up the wrong side o’ bed
Though sun shines, can’t make hay
Today just isn’t my day;
Heaven or Hell, come what may
I’ll just go back to bed
Today just isn’t my day
Got up the wrong side o’ bed.


My Entry fee: Promised to substitute somebody's class...

Inba's Corner said...

sent u a mail :D

Anonymous said...

Why is it so?
So difficult to ignore
Am I my own foe?
Why is it so?
A brown eyed doe
to be mine no more
why is it so?
So difficult to ignore

Entry fee: helped a friend find a pet from an asylum