Though there are many forms, there are only a few standard ones that are universally known. Those and some original forms invented by our contemporaries have been covered over the time we’ve been publishing articles here at the dVersePoets Pub. All of them can still be found in the archives on the site. One has only to enter the word “form” or a particular type of form like “sonnet” in the search blank next to the word “GO” at the top of the dVerse home page to have them come up for review.

So today I am asking those who are up for the challenge to invent their own new form. It should be unique. (That is to say it shouldn’t be one that would be easily recognized. I don’t expect you to research a jillion poems to make sure it isn’t like anything that has ever been done.)  You may take an existing form and do a variation on it. I ask that you describe the “formula” you used for it and you should name the form.  Then write an example of it to share with all of us.  It doesn’t have to rhyme, it doesn’t have to be a set meter, it doesn’t have to be anything in particular. I would ask for some structure – shape  – design to it, however. You may think about rhyme without meter; meter without rhyme, syllable counts, line counts, etc.

We have over the past highlighted some forms composed by people within our community. Luke Prater and Sam Peralta brought us some of their own inventions.  I discussed this article with Luke and for examples’ sake I would like to offer his response to highlight his original Octain:

The Octain, full name Octain Refrain, is a form of poetry developed by British poet Luke Prater in December 2010. It comprises eight lines as two tercets and a couplet, either as octosyllables (counting eight syllables per line), or as iambic tetrameter, whichever is preferable. Trochaic tetrameter also acceptable. The latter yields a more propulsive rhythm, as opposed to iambs, which lilt. As the name suggests, the first line is a refrain, repeated as the last (some variation of refrain acceptable). Rhyme-scheme as follows –

A-b-b
a-c/c-a
b-A

A = refrain line. c/c refers to line five having midline (internal) rhyme (e.g. here/sneer), which is different to the a- and b-rhymes. The midline rhyme does not have to fall exactly in the middle of the line, in fact it can be more effective and subtle, depending on context, to have it fall earlier or later.

Alternative layout/stanza-structure:
Refrain lines out on their own, with the middle six as two tercets –

A
b-b-a
c/c-a-b

The Sculptor

I’m finished carving girls from stone,
creating women, crave to touch,
from blocks of marble – figures such

when animate, I’m not alone;
but stone is cold, and I grow old.
Call on the gods to make this koan

true woman-flesh to warm my clutch.
I’m finished carving girls from stone.

Sam’s articles can be found in our archives as well as the article I wrote about my friend Hector Gutierrez’ original form The Framed Couplet.  I would also like you to refer to the Karousel and Weave poems invented by David James. So these should give you a place to start.  I know it will take a little planning but I think you will find it exhilarating once you begin. Go have fun and I am looking forward to new poems and new poem forms!

When you’re finished, link your poem to Mr.Linky, talk it up on your social media sites and PLEASE come back, read and comment on your fellow poets compositions!