Good evening, and welcome to dVerse Poets’ Pub: the top destination for poets worldwide to meet and share their work!
Back in December of last year, I had the privilege of attending the ‘Wordsworths read Wordsworth’ event at Rydal Mount in the Lake District. At this very special event, I got to hear the Wordsworth family read poems by their ancestor, the poet William Wordsworth. Visitors were also given a tour of the house and gardens, which were landscaped by Wordsworth himself. During the tour, the curator explained to us how Wordsworth was accustomed to compose: “He never wrote his poetry down,” he explained, “but would rather pace the garden terrace repeating the lines out loud to himself until he had them word-perfect.” Later on, his sister Dorothy and other female members of his household would write the poetry down to be preserved for posterity, and made into fair-copies which would become the manuscripts of his work.
The Challenge
When I consider Wordsworth’s chosen method of composing, it makes perfect sense, particularly if you want to compose to a walking rhythm such as iambic pentameter: five beats, or ‘footsteps’ to a line ‘da-dun, da-dun, da-dun, da-dun, da-dun.’ Iambic pentameter also sounds like a heartbeat to me. Who could forget this timeless scene from the movie ‘Dirty Dancing:’
As with dance, so with poetry: the underlying rhythm is a heartbeat which, if done seamlessly, should flow without feeling mechanical or stilted.
So, this week, I challenge you to write a poem in iambic pentameter. You can choose either blank verse (in which the pentameter is unrhymed) or a form such as a sonnet or villanelle. Ideally, you will take a walk as you work out the lines: either around your living room, in your garden, or perhaps out in nature. Pound the pavements and pathways until you get the sound you want, and don’t worry too much about writing it down until you’re happy with the result. Here are some examples of iambic pentameter for inspiration:
Blank Verse: The French Revolution as It Appeared to Enthusiasts at Its Commencement, by William Wordsworth
Oh! pleasant exercise of hope and joy!
For mighty were the auxiliars which then stood
Upon our side, we who were strong in love!
Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive,
But to be young was very heaven!—Oh! times,
In which the meagre, stale, forbidding ways
Of custom, law, and statute, took at once
The attraction of a country in romance!
When Reason seemed the most to assert her rights,
When most intent on making of herself
A prime Enchantress—to assist the work
Which then was going forward in her name!
Not favoured spots alone, but the whole earth,
The beauty wore of promise, that which sets
(As at some moment might not be unfelt
Among the bowers of paradise itself )
The budding rose above the rose full blown.
What temper at the prospect did not wake
To happiness unthought of? The inert
Were roused, and lively natures rapt away!
They who had fed their childhood upon dreams,
The playfellows of fancy, who had made
All powers of swiftness, subtilty, and strength
Their ministers,—who in lordly wise had stirred
Among the grandest objects of the sense,
And dealt with whatsoever they found there
As if they had within some lurking right
To wield it;—they, too, who, of gentle mood,
Had watched all gentle motions, and to these
Had fitted their own thoughts, schemers more wild,
And in the region of their peaceful selves;—
Now was it that both found, the meek and lofty
Did both find, helpers to their heart’s desire,
And stuff at hand, plastic as they could wish;
Were called upon to exercise their skill,
Not in Utopia, subterranean fields,
Or some secreted island, Heaven knows where!
But in the very world, which is the world
Of all of us,—the place where in the end
We find our happiness, or not at all!
Sonnet 24: Mine Eye Hath Play’d The Painter and Hath Steel’d by William Shakespeare
Mine eye hath play’d the painter and hath steel’d,
Thy beauty’s form in table of my heart;
My body is the frame wherein ’tis held,
And perspective it is best painter’s art.
For through the painter must you see his skill,
To find where your true image pictur’d lies,
Which in my bosom’s shop is hanging still,
That hath his windows glazed with thine eyes.
Now see what good turns eyes for eyes have done:
Mine eyes have drawn thy shape, and thine for me
Are windows to my breast, where-through the sun
Delights to peep, to gaze therein on thee;
Yet eyes this cunning want to grace their art,
They draw but what they see, know not the heart.
For an example of a Villanelle written in iambic pentameter (and probably the best-known example of the form), read Do not go gentle into that good night by Dylan Thomas.
Once you have written your poem, follow these rules to take part:
- Post your poem on your blog or website.
- Click on Mr. Linky below to add your name and enter the direct URL to your poem
- On your blog, please provide a link back to dVerse. This enables others to enjoy our prompts, increases our readership and thus increases the responses to everyone’s poems.
- If you promote your poem on social media, use the tag #dverse poets
- And most importantly, please do read some of the other responses to the prompt and add a short comment or reaction. Everyone likes to be appreciated! The prompt is “live” for several days – as you’ll notice by the comments you’ll receive – so do stop by another day and read a few of the latecomers too!
Ingrid said:
Good evening, fellow pubbers. We have some delightful snacks in tonight – all as sound as a pound. The pub is open!
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
I know many find it difficult with pentameter, but once you get into that rhythm it’s almost like writing prose. A long time ago, when I wanted to show off, I wrote my whole intro to an Open Link in blank verse. These days I am a bit rusty but managed to come up with a short piece.
Ingrid said:
Thanks Björn! I love your idea of making a haibun from blank verse!
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
I have done it a few times before… and this time I thought it worked… (the haiku is a recycled one)
Ingrid said:
I think it worked very well!
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Christine Bolton, Poetry for Healing said:
I’ll give it a try later if I can Ingrid. What a lovely visit you had at Wordsworth’s home! Memorable ☺️💕
Ingrid said:
It really was a special day, thank you Christine 🥰
Ain said:
Oh dear..it’s the real stuff now….thanks very much Ingrid…even if this looks hard<"just joking, will attempt to rise to the occasion…
Ingrid said:
I am sure you can do it justice, Ain!
Ain said:
I guess commas and stuff are not allowed, don’t like to think was cheating, but could not find a way around it..
Ingrid said:
I am sure there are no rules against them!
Truedessa said:
Ain, Just a note to let you know I’ve been reading your wonderful poetry. I seem to have trouble replying.
Ain said:
Oh thank you so much…sorry about the difficulties…very…I wish sites were easier.
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msjadeli said:
Hello Ingrid and All. First off, I adore that clip from, “Dirty Dancing.” It’s fun but also very sexy. You can see what the weather is like in my poem. Walking out to the mailbox helped with the sensory aspect of the poem. Would you please pour me a tall mug of hot peppermint tea?
Ingrid said:
One peppermint tea coming up! Glad you enjoyed the movie clip: an old favourite 🥰
msjadeli said:
Thank you so much, Ingrid. Cheers! Now I want to see the whole movie again.
Ingrid said:
I can watch that one over and over 😊
Rob Kistner said:
Hi y’all! 👴🏻Wonderful prompt Ingrid! Thank you for hosting. I will have to pass on the sustained walk, as that is something that I can no longer do, save a few steps with my cane. But I walk everywhere vividly in my memory, and I was the lead singer and percussionist in my numerous bands over several decades — so the iambic pentameter will pose no problem. This will be fun my friend! 👍🏼✌🏼❤️
Ingrid said:
Wonderful news, Rob: enjoy the walk of life!
Rob Kistner said:
I conjured up a woman ablaze, Le Filou — fire and spark, deep and dark. This was a ‘hot’ prompt Ingrid,
Ingrid said:
Sounds like you got inspired, Rob: glad to hear it!
Helen Dehner said:
Greetings Poets! Thank you, Ingrid for a lovely challenge .. one to ponder on during my afternoon walk. It is unseasonably warm where I live, which feels wonderful! On that note may I have a large ice tea with lemon?
Ingrid said:
One large ice tea coming up! Enjoy your walk, Helen 😊
Helen Dehner said:
Realized this is my first attempt at the villanelle … I need more practice.
Ingrid said:
I will be over to read soon! Thanks for taking part 😊
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rogblog666 said:
hi Ingrid
hi all
i do find pentermeter difficult.
for me it is always a challange
this evening i have had to go with what my head would not let go off after reading the prompt.
my family now think i am bonkers walking around the lounge chanting
thanks rog
Ingrid said:
Wonderful to hear you entered into the spirit of the prompt! Thanks for taking part, Rog!
rogblog666 said:
👍
Ingrid said:
Thanks to all who have visited so far, I am very much enjoying the poetry, but I will take a break now and be back in the morning. The bar is still open, so please help yourself to bar snacks and drinks!
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Ron Rowland said:
This was a little tough for me. I initially wrote it with 8 beats per line, as that seemed more natural to me. However, the challenge was clearly iambic pentameter, so I went back and tried to whip it into form with the addition of two syllables per line.
Ingrid said:
Thank you for writing to the prompt, Ron!
Zelda Winter said:
Interesting personal note about Wordsworth!
Ingrid said:
It was a wonderful place to visit and learn about his life, thank you!
Zelda Winter said:
I’m sure it was–you’re very welcome 🙂
Gillena Cox said:
Luv the info on Wordsworth.
Happy Tuesday night. Cheers
Much💙love
Ingrid said:
Thanks Gillena 😊
fireblossom32 said:
Hello Ingrid! A cot cocoa for me, if you have it! This will be a challenge, especially if i try the villanelle, a form I regularly botch and throw away, having written only two i was happy with in my entire life. But I will come up with something!
Ingrid said:
Thank you, Shay! Here is your cocoa – hope it’s not too late for you. It’s morning where I am!
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Truedessa said:
I decided to give this a go! Today, on my walk I had a hook in my head so I went with that, it sort of wrote itself for better or worse.
Ingrid said:
I look forward to reading your work, thank you!
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paeansunplugged said:
Hi Ingrid. Thanks for sharing your visit to Wordsworth’s home …awesome!❤️
You took me back to school when we were taught to count the stressed and unstressed syllables. I don’t know if my walk did me any good but I have shared the outcome. 😅
Ingrid said:
Thank you Punam: I will be over to read soon ❤️
paeansunplugged said:
You are welcome. Take your time. 😊
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pvcann said:
What a treat that must have been Ingrid and one you’ll treasure, I’m not so fond of meter but i think I got close, so I need a whiskey.
Ingrid said:
One whiskey for you: thanks for taking part 🥃
pvcann said:
🙂
Yvonne Osborne said:
I love this challenge. Thank you, Ingrid! (I’ll take a gimlet)
Ingrid said:
One gimlet for you! Thanks Yvonne 😊
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Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet said:
Hi Ingrid, beautiful examples of iambic pentameter. I started this sonnet as I was waiting for Robert in surgery. (He’s doing great and drove to his follow-up to
day!) I was getting ready to post this when I discovered that d’Verse is calling for poems in iambic pentameter and decided to participate. I also found your villanelle and will finish reading it soon. Thank you for all your hard work! ❤
Ingrid said:
I am glad Robert is recovering well, Cheryl, and that you were able to participate in this prompt. Thank you! ❤️
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memadtwo said:
It’s been a long time since I wrote a villanelle. Mine could use some editing, but I enjoyed the challenge. Thanks Ingrid. (K)
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merrildsmith said:
I finally got a villanelle written for this prompt! It’s not perfect, but it was good to try the form again. 😊
Ingrid said:
Thank you Merril: I’m going to catch up on my reading now! 😊
merrildsmith said:
😊
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