I loathe syllable-counting poetry
The stresses are all in the wrong places
to make any sense of pentameter,
tetrameter, of iambs or dactyls.
Rhythm counts for nothing in a haiku.
Fibonacci poetry I deplore.
These ancient Japanese forms have a lot
to answer for. I digress – forgive me.
Prose poems in English must have a lilt,
pull the mind along to follow the thought.
I’ve been too busy to write this week, and I thought you might think I’d died or something, so a post wouldn’t come amiss. This is a form called “The Big 10,” from an old Poetic Asides prompt – with amazingly simple rules:
- The poem has to have 10 lines (no more and no fewer).
- Each line has to contain 10 syllables (again, exactly 10).
And that’s it!
I’ve done the 10×10 exactly once. Nine to go, and then I get to die, I guess!
Congrats on using a form to decry form-related poetry. The irony is so sweet, Viv. Peace, Amy
It is almost expected from me – but I can’t resist it.
How apropos to write a poem about despising syllable counting in a syllabic form of poetry!! Good to see you, Viv!
I love how you tackle forms you despise
Glad that you and your muse are both alive and kicking syllables!
I’m useless at counting beats and syllables – I’m very impressed.