Whittled Words – Lai Poem

Posted by Brad Osborne on February 26, 2021 · 9 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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LAI POEM

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The lai is another French form. It is a nine-line poem or stanza that uses an “a” and “b” rhyme following this pattern: aabaabaab. The lines with an “a” rhyme use 5 syllables; the “b” rhyme lines have 2 syllables. It feels kind of like an organized skeltonic verse. Here is a visual representation of the form:

xxxxa

xxxxa

xb

xxxxa

xxxxa

xb

xxxxa

xxxxa

xb

 

Although somewhat restrictive in its form, there is a rhythmic beauty here that can lead to some powerful phrasing. Also, the use on near rhymes or slant rhymes can help if the rhyme scheme becomes a hurdle.

My research has shown that this style has morphed through the ages to include, “Lai Breton”, which is a lyrical, narrative poem written in octosyllabic couplets that often deals with tales of adventure and romance, and the “Virelai” with variable forms most often set to music and thus written in a number of bars with a refrain. For this entry, we will stick to this earliest form.

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Examples of Lai Poems:

 

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MISTLETOE

By Lawrencealot

…

Hang the mistletoe

tie it with a bow

then wait.

You’re aware, I know

You just use it though

for bait.

It’s most apropos

how it works, with no

debate.

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UNTITLED

 By nogginquest

…

Are you really there?

So kind and so fair

I dream

Your vison is near

So strong and so clear

It seems

You stand by me here

And banish my fear

Serene

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HIDDEN PAIN

By Catherine Wilson

 

For years, I have tried
to hide pain inside
of me.

Call it stubborn pride.
Really I’ve denied
the plea.

Strong on the outside
my heart truly cried
a sea.

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IN THE QUIET TIMES 

By Brad Osborne

  

Life is not a race

A metronomed pace

Sheer will

Find your happy place

Worries there erase

Hope fill

Nothing left to chase

A natural grace

Be still

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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 Lai poem. Thanks for reading!

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