Whittled Words – Ae Freislighe 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:
AE FREISLIGHE POEM
I think part of the reason I find Irish forms so difficult is that the rhymes can be so intense, and that is definitely the case with the Ae Freislighe (pronounced – ay fresh-lee). Here are the guidelines:
- Quatrain stanzas (4-line stanzas)
- 7 syllables per line
- Lines 1 and 3 rhyme together, but they rhyme as three syllables (xxa)
- Lines 2 and 4 rhyme together as two syllables (xb)
- The final syllable, word, or line of the entire poem should be the same as the entire poem begins (the poetic term for this is dunadh)
Poem can be as concise as one stanza and scale out as far as a poet wishes to push it.
Note: One strategy that helped me get started was to consider two- and three-syllable words before composing the poem.
Examples of Ae Freislighe Poems:
(Untitled)
by Tegan
Each morning I awaken,
feeling ready to transform.
Though my soul has been shaken,
I am choosing to reform.
Sometimes pain is hard to mend.
I have to let the past be.
I accept love that won’t bend.
I choose to let my heart see.
ONE STORY UP
By Taylor Graham
There’s an iron Pegasus
on the balcony rusting –
its pinions tremulous,
for inspiration trusting.
A child – unlike Daedalus,
practical in all weathers –
lifts his eyes emulous
believing in flight, feathers.
TENNESSEE
By Robert Lee Brewer
Do you recall Tennessee
& all that late-night kissing,
or is it a memory
once yours that’s now gone missing?
Perhaps there’s some video
for both of us to review
& retire to Ohio
with vows that we will renew.
YOU CAN’T EAT HOPE
By Brad Osborne
Wanting not a strategy
No vehicle of action
Heart’s response to malady
Just emotional traction
To act is the confession
The cure for any despair
The only real expression
The start of any repair
Our hopes are not profiting
The hungry, homeless masses
To give any comforting
We must get off our asses
Act of giving physical
Emotions give them nothing
Doing is what’s critical
The only help to wanting
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 Ae Freislighe poem. Thanks for reading!
commonsensiblyspeaking 
that must be quite a challenge. upon first reading the rules it sounds much easier than it really is to execute using just 2 or 3 syllables.
Thanks, Beth! The syllabic requirements attached to the rhyme scheme do make it a challenge, but I think the rhythm it creates is worth the hard work. Thanks for all your constant support, my friend!
A most engaging form that can lead to wonderful poetry, like the ones you’ve featured, and in particular your example.
Always so kind, my friend. Hope Miami is still smiling on you!
You’re very welcome my friend. Well, although I would prefer to be back home, Miami is a challenge that I must overcome. Thank you.