Whittled Words – Rhupunt 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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RHUPUNT POEM
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I’ll tell you what: These Welsh poetic forms are starting to grow on me. This time around, let’s look at the rhupunt!
The rhupunt has some variability to it, but also some rigid rules as well. I have had fun tinkering around with this Welsh form, and I hope you do too.
Here are the guidelines for the rhupunt:
- The form can be broken down into lines or stanzas (see examples)
- Each line or stanza contains 3 to 5 sections
- Each section has 4 syllables
- All but the final section rhyme with each other
- The final section of each line or stanza rhymes with the final section of the other lines or stanzas
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Examples of Rhupunt Poems:
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NON-DOMESTIC GODDESS
by Tracy Davidson
I want to make
our wedding cake
but I can’t bake
to save my life.
My kitchen skills
are full of spills,
plus broken grills
and burns are rife.
My food from hell
makes stomachs swell,
emits a smell
from here to Fife.
To stop more squeals
it’s ready meals
and fast food deals
for this housewife.
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MOUSE MURDER
By Taylor Graham
No more mice? that might be nice. We thought so, twice, but were we wrong?
In pantry-land, rich contraband. Mouse sleight-of-hand – that thieving throng.
You set the trap and took your nap. Then trigger-snap! Sweet mouse, so long…..
And yet I’ve seen how shy and lean a mouse can keen its mourning song.
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ALZHEIMER’S SNARE
By Marie Elena
consumed with doubt
she mills about
fret snuffing out
her morning prayer
feeling betrayed
she draws her shade
but who will braid
her silver hair
doused inner light
endless midnight
in broad daylight
repeat nightmare
kin she can’t name
in picture frames
they’re all the same
to her despair
no overpass
no underpass
a deep crevasse
that leads nowhere
her mem’ries tossed
her thoughts crisscrossed
again she’s lost
her ev’ning prayer
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A DANCER’S WHISPER
By Brad Osborne
In month of May
as lovers sway
along the bay
a message sent
Being so near
do you not hear
my words in ear
a promise meant
I speak to you
of love that’s true
like ocean blue
a deep descent
Now becomes past
My love doth last
In moonlight cast
Love permanent
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DON’T FOLLOW ME
By Brad Osborne
It is silly to follow me when I can’t see where we should go
To shove and shout, pushing about, when a way out I do not know
If you’re unsure of needed door, I’ll help explore, look to and fro
Do what I can to free each man without much plan, see how it goes
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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 Rhupunt poem. Thanks for reading!
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commonsensiblyspeaking 
these had a nice lilt to them , and the non-domestic goddess…..))
I loved that one too, Beth! The best part of this series is discovering these forms so beautifully delivered by other great poets.
and you fit right in with them –
Brilliant examples you have written my brother! A fun style I would say…
Thank you, dear Francisco!
You’re very welcome my friend!
I really enjoyed this form. I should really try some of these. They might help pull me from my writing funk. Plus, I love a good challenge!
I loved all the examples you shared, but A Dancer’s Whisper is my favorite
Thanks, Kristian! Chasing a form can help writer’s “funk”, but subject is still king. Don’t give up!
The Welsh forms are growing on me too, although Alzheimer’s Snare is so sad to read.
Thank you, Geoff! “Alzheimer’s Snare” is a sad story, but so beautifully written!
this seems like a fun style to work with, and as always, you came through!
Thanks, Jim!
👍