Whittled Words – Rondel Poem
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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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RONDEL POEM
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Rondel is a French poetic form composed of 13 lines in 3 stanzas. It incorporates refrains:
- 13-line poem
- 3 stanzas (4 lines, 4 lines, 5 lines respectively)
- Rhyme scheme ABba/abAB/abbaA
- Usually 8 syllables per line
A slight variation and you would be writing a Rondel Prime (or Supreme) which adds a 14th line which completes the refrain in the final stanza for an ABba/abAB/abbaAB rhyme scheme.
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Examples of Rondel Poems:
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I REMEMBER
by Julie e.
When I miss you I remember
sandwiches from the coffee shop,
fingers cold I let mine drop
in the park in late December.
Noses, cheeks glow, bright red embers
laughing, giggling, we couldn’t stop
When I miss you I remember
sandwiches from the coffee shop.
Gone the sun of past September
gone the freedom of my flip-flops
comes the chill as temperature drops.
Warmth I felt in that December
when I miss you, I remember.
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STARRY NIGHT
(Rondel Prime)
by tjholt
When stars sprinkle fairy dust flies
and dreamers dreams hang on the moon.
Collect all your hopes; string a festoon;
celebrate before the night dies.
Remember we are but mayflies
and the time to dream ends to soon.
When stars sprinkle fairy dust flies
and dreamers dreams hang on the moon.
Do not wait tomorrow’s sunrise
or think your wishes only jejune,
for dithering is only for a loon;
life imparts no one a reprise.
When stars sprinkle fairy dust flies
and dreamers dreams hang on the moon.
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LIFE SONG
By Brad Osborne
The joy of life sung in my tune
I am blessed without want for more
A greater than fair share for sure
When every night holds fair a moon
Myriad stars to make you swoon
Breath to blow at the sky so pure
The joy of life sung in my tune
I am blessed without want for more
Bring to me but one more bright noon
Let this song and mere verse endure
That’s what each breath taken is for
Before life’s air leaves lungs to soon
The joy of life sung in my tune
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PHOTOGRAPH
(Rondel Prime)
By Brad Osborne
This still life captured beneath glass
Holds not the memories of you
Colors in life now tinted blue
The world missing a bit of sass
Good life and love gone by too fast
Your smile missing from seeking view
This still life captured beneath glass
Holds not the memories of you
No mirror this or favored past
If only that could be made true
To see you again without hue
This memory in flat plate cast
This still life captured beneath glass
Holds not the memories of you
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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 Rondel poem. Thanks for reading!
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commonsensiblyspeaking 
Good stuff, Brad. Love your take on the form. Beautiful poetry penned.
My sincere thanks, my dear friend!
My pleasure 😁🤗
aw, just one more time…
Excellent poem, Brad 🌹
Thank you, kind Poetess! 💖
My pleasure 🌹
Very nice Brad. It’s a beautiful form and the poem you wrote is as beautiful. Lovely work my friend! Have a great weekend!
Cheers,
FBC.
Thank you brother! You have a great weekend as well!
You’re welcome my brother and a great weekend!
wonderful poems; this style has a nice rhythm to it.
my interpretations:
it’s those simple things in life that bring so much joy…
but a photo can help rekindle memories…
I remember when taking a photo was something you had to plan to do, now we have a camera with us all the time…. Thanks for all the support, Jim!
How blessed we are to read two of your poems in one post!! ❤❤
Thanks beautiful!
I love this French poetic form dear Brad. The examples you gave were lovely and I must say I really enjoyed the first one so much. Both of your examples were exceptional. I really enjoyed them.
“Life Song” – The first one all the words are lovely but these are especially so,
“When every night holds fair a moon
Myriad stars to make you swoon
Breath to blow at the sky so pure
The Joy of life sung in my tune”
“Photograph” – The Rondel Prime
I can’t pick a favorite Stanza – What a beautiful way to tell a story of deep love that has left this world but whose memories and even sass are so missed. Truly lovely writing!
Sending tons of love and hugs Brad from a chilly day in NC. Thank you for teaching me yet another style of poetry. Jonikins xoxoxo
Silly goose, it is you who have been teaching me this whole time. Thank you, as always, for your constant support and love! 💕
Now that is a sweet thought and compliment dear Brad. Although you have definitely been an amazing mentor and I am grateful. Love ya Jonikins