Whittled Words – Chant Poem

Posted by Brad Osborne on December 4, 2020 · 11 Comments 

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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:

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CHANT POEM

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The chant poem is about as old as poetry itself. In fact, it may be the first form poetry took. Chant poems simply incorporate repetitive lines that form a sort of chant. Each line can repeat, or every other line. It is easy to find many poetic forms that incorporate chanting with the use of a refrain. However, a chant poem is a little more methodical than a triolet or rondeau.

I have attempted to provide examples that stick closely to the intent of the form. Although I found no hard and fast rules for the form, I believe that some adherence to a repeated rhythmic meter, along with precise rhyming schemes dramatically adds to the delivery having the tone and timbre of a spoken chant.

 

 

Examples of Chant Poems:

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SANTA CLARA

By Robert Lee Brewer

He can see all the birds lift from the grass;
there’s another missing child on the radio.

The trees appear to be covered in glass;
there’s another missing child on the radio.

He knows the many shades of wrong and right;
there’s another missing child on the radio.

If there’s a city waiting in the night,
there’s another missing child on the radio.

 

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HOPE (IS IN THE HEART OF ALL)

By Kristina Johansson

Hope is in the heart of all
Who keep their fire shining bright
Hope is in the heart of all
Who keep their life a great delight

Hope is in the heart of all
Who keep their spirits going well
Hope is in the heart of all
With charisma there to tell

Hope is in the heart of all
With smiles upon their face
Hope is in the heart of all
Who say that saving grace

Hope is in the heart of all
Who bounce back from the grave
Hope is in the heart of all
Who get out and show they’re brave

Hope is in the heart of all
Who get through all that strife
Hope is in the heart of all
Who live a happy life

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BE NOT BLIND

By Brad Osborne

How can you not see

With the sight given thee

The death of every tree

How can you not see

With the sight given thee

The cost to humanity

How can you not see

With the sight given thee

The need for all to breathe

How can you not see

With the sight given thee

That hate a travesty

How can you not see

With the sight given thee

How the heart does bleed

How can you not see

With the sight given thee

The hungry we can feed

How can you not see

With the sight given thee

The soul can soar when free

How can you not see

With the sight given thee

That ‘we’ replaces ‘me’

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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 Chant poem. Thanks for reading!

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