Whittled Words – Diminishing Verse Poem

Posted by Brad Osborne on April 17, 2020 · 38 Comments 

 

 

Welcome to the weekly series, Whittled Words. A series highlighting the innumerable types and styles of poetry to challenge any creative wordsmith. This week’s selection:

 

DIMINISHING VERSE POEM

 

Diminishing verse offers no origin and very few rules, but I enjoyed writing my example below. In fact, the main rule is this: Remove the first letter of the end word in the previous line.

 

For example:

Line 1 ends with the word “grad”

And line 2 ends “rad”

Then, line 3 ends “ad”

Note: There are no rules for rhymes, syllables, poem length, stanza length, etc. Just a simple removal of a letter. That said, poets can also remove sounds if they wish like “braille” to “rail” to “ale.”

 

 

 

Examples of Diminishing Verse Poems:

 

(Untitled)

by Karen

 

Gorgeous blue eyes blink
Somehow two hearts link
Love letters written with disappearing ink

 

IRISH UP, IRISH DOWN

By PressOn

Pat would often get into a spat,
but the spattee usually got the best of Pat.
Fighting wasn’t where his ken was at
but arguing? Ah, that fit him to a T.

 

 

WAITING ROOM

By Tracy Davidson

I have enough on my plate
without the doctor running late,
I can’t remember when last I ate.

My unbalanced diet he’ll likely scold,
say it’s partly why I’m always cold,
that I’m not knackered yet, just getting old.

 

CASTING MORE THAN QUIET STONES

By De Jackson

 

Free-falling loose like scattered stones,
we play the earth in unquiet tones.
Grounded, we’re the lucky ones.

While this stung starlight has its charms,
sorrow more than hurts; it harms.
We need a sky with open arms.

 

 

THE TALE

By Brad Osborne

The yarns I had heard had become rather stale

But the Captain spoke of a wonderous tale

And would be obliged if I shared of my ale

 

Since the detail he gave was ever so sparse

And the truth of his words, so hard to parse

I thought he must be talking out of his arse

 

I slid him a tankard and as story crowed

He told of all the days for which he had rowed

In search of the maiden’s love that he was owed

 

I laughed so hard at his tale, I slightly shat

Offered more ale and a tip of my hat

Headed home, where my clean underwear were at

 

 

 

I hope you have enjoyed this entry to the series, Whittled Words. I look forward to your comments, and if you dare, maybe share your own Diminishing Verse poem. Thanks for reading!

 

 

 

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