Syllabic Verse Exercise

The next exercise in poetry was to write simple stanzas with pre-set numbers of syllables each. This form of poetry focuses on the number of syllables regardless of the number of stresses. It's not too common in English poetry because English is more of a stressed language than eg Japanese or Chinese where syllabic poems are far more common.


On Rain:

I saw my brother run once
Down the slope near home
I was driving up the slope and
Wondering why he ran

Then just behind him, a sheet
Of rain I saw. Light
But growing strong. It followed
Him to the door. Slam!


Hygiene:

Hygiene counts
When baking bread: no ants,
Birds,
Are allowed in
The kitchen while it's done.
At least during
Which
One's hands especially
Are washed, dried.

Kneading means
Wet, sticky, doughy hands.
But
Later this turns
A drier dough which springs back at
A gentle prod
So
Then we rest it and clean
Hands and wait.


As you can see, I was contemplating the process of baking as I had planned to bake an Italian Easter bread called Gubena so it seems more interesting to slant the poem in that direction. For those who are interested in the outcome of the baking, stay tuned.