Whittled Words – Cyrch A Chwta 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:
CYRCH A CHWTA POEM
As you might guess from the name, Cyrch A Chwta is a Welsh poetic form. And like many Welsh forms, this poem involves both end rhymes and internal (or cross) rhymes. Here are the guidelines:
- Octave stanza (8-line stanza)
- 7 syllables per line
- Lines 1-6 and 8 end rhyme together
- Line 7 cross rhymes with line 8 (internally) on either syllable 3, 4, or 5
Note: The “a” rhyme appears at least 7 times per stanza, so it should be a strong one with plenty of rhyming options.
Examples of Cyrch A Chwta Poems:
DELIGHTFUL DANDELIONS
by Sari Grandstaff
Floating dandelion seeds
Much maligned as noxious weeds
But children they take no heed
As they blow, their wishes freed
With abandon and Godspeed
The springtime wind takes the lead
In scattering the white fluff
Soon enough, to grow and breed.
GUILTY VERDICT
by Lorraine Caramanna
Trap snaps on little mouse head,
shovel wacks sure it is dead.
How that mouse wishes he tread
in another place! Instead,
blood stains concrete floor bright red.
Murder conviction, I dread
jail for a self-defense crime,
guilty this time in my shed.
THE HAG IN THE HOLLOW
By Brad Osborne
Just down there across the way
Still living there till this day
In the house made out of clay
Lives the witch whom some would say
Huddles in her small doorway
Wrapped in dusty old duvet
Cursing and offering taunted
As if in some haunted play
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 Cyrch A Chwta poem. Thanks for reading!
commonsensiblyspeaking 
I sense a sing-songy rhythm when reading these
Thanks, Beth! That is why I love classic forms. Their structure builds a sense of anticipation for the reader who becomes hooked in the rhythm.
ah, I clearly got caught up in the magic )
Good one, Brad.
Thank you, Yassy!
My pleasure, Brad.
I really enjoy this form. It looks fun to play around with. The rhymes flow so smoothly. I loved the dandelion poem, but yours is always the best!
Thank you, dear friend! I liked the dandelion one the best.
Brad I love the rhyme and the fun sound to this style. I loved your poem to as well as the examples. Hope you’re having a blessed weekend. Jonikins
Thanks, Jonikins! Hope you are both well and happy!