POETRY: The Rondolet

The Rondelet:

• 24 lines
• trochaic tetrameter
• Line 1 (A) repeats
• trochaic: a stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable

So we have:

• Line 1: A—four syllables
• Line 2: b—eight syllables
• Line 3: A—repeat of line one
• Line 4: a—eight syllables
• Line 5: b—eight syllables
• Line 6: b—eight syllables
• Line 7: A—repeat of line one

Associated Forms:

• Triolet
• Rondeau
• Rondel

Worksheet:

RONDELET:

A (4)
b (8)
Line 1
a (8)
b (8)
b (8)
Line 1

EXAMPLE:

The flowers of June
    The gates of memory unbar:
        The flowers of June
        Such old-time harmonies retune,
    I fain would keep the gates ajar,--
    So full of sweet enchantment are
        The flowers of June.

Mary Baker Eddy, 1821 -- 1910

Gabriel's Horn Poetry Anthology

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