Whittled Words – Decima Poem
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:
DECIMA POEM
Let us look at the poetic form known as decima. There are various versions of it, but we will start with the version popular in Puerto Rico. It is a 10-liner with 8 syllables per line, in the following rhyme pattern:
A B B A A C C D D C
In Puerto Rico and other parts of Latin America, the decima is often sung and improvised. The form is also sometimes referred to as espinela after its founder, Spanish writer and musician Vicente Espinel. Those who write and perform decimas are known as decimistas or deimeros.
In Ecuador, the decima is a 44-line poem comprised of a quatrain and four 10-line stanzas. Each of the lines from the opening quatrain are repeated later in the poem. The lines still retain eight syllables, though the rhyme constraints are loosened. As, I said, there are many variations of the form. If you want a different rhyme scheme, there is also a decima Italiana with ten 8-syllable lines that rhyme ababcdedec.
Given the flexible method of counting syllables in Spanish verse, where an “Octosyllabic” line could easily have seven or nine syllables (as normally counted), in writing a decima in English it would not seem unreasonable to write in iambic pentameter (theoretically ten syllables), which comes more naturally to English verse. So, for another English variation, you could use 10 syllables per line.
Examples of Decima Poems:
NEVER, ALWAYS, SOMETIMES
by Susan Gentry
Never will I stop loving you
It does not matter what you say
You have a place with me to stay
No matter what you ever do
Always know what I say is true
You do not have to feel the same
You can think it is all a game
Sometimes life makes no sense at all
I pray each day that you will call
No questions asked, no one to blame
HEAVENLY SPRING
By Erich Goller
Colorful blooming pear and apple trees
Beautiful within the first weeks of spring
Everything is heavenly blossoming
With gentle blowing winds and humming bees
The time to plant some vegetable seeds
With the sunshine and rain all the seeds grow
Glorious rainbow putting on a show
Colorful flowers raising from the ground
Nature showing its beauty all around
With summer coming, time for spring to go
UNIDENTIFIED
By Brad Osborne
They seemed perplexed as to just why
Even though I was still quite shook
This armed man now a wanted crook
Was so hard to identify
No matter how hard I may try
I remember giving the cash
But it all happened in a flash
Yet when asked to give some detail
It was not memory that failed
Since now everyone wears a mask
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 Decima poem. Thanks for reading!
nicely done. I love your humorous twist at the end-
Thank you , Beth! Enjoy your weekend!
This looks like a style I could try. I loved your catchy example Brad.
“But it all happened in a flash
Yet when asked to give some detail
It was not memory that failed
Since now everyone wears a mask”
That made me smile 😃. We need some humor in our lives everyday and especially now and you certainly did that for me this morning. That crook simply looked like everyone else. Have a great weekend my dear friend. Love ya Joni ❤️💕
Thank you, Jonikins! I am glad it made you chuckle. Hope you enjoy your weekend! Much love! 💕💝😘
You too my friend. I can tell by your work you are a very smart man. Your sense of humor is an additionally nice touch to your personality. You have a nice weekend too my friend. Much love 💕 coming right back at you. ❤️💕😘
I did not see that ending coming. You’re a master of twists!! Another great one, Brad!!
Thank you, Kristian! I hope you have a fabulous weekend! Sending loads of love your way! 💕
Sending loads of love back to you! 😘😘
I like the clever twist at the end of your decima!
Thanks Jim! Considering our brains are specifically wired to recognize faces, it does make for some odd situations.
and now when I teach, students won’t judge me by my looks 🙂
No, they will still judge you by your looks. Luckily, you have the juggling to fall back on! 😁
I better start practicing… 🙂
Very nice! Great ending! I love this style, by far my fave and one I use a lot, with modifications, naturally, I am after all a jazz man and I must improvise. Great post!
Improvisation is a must in any expression and you are definitely a jazz man!