Enlightened Precepts
God’s Word Toured in Terzenelle

We have examined a number of poem types in these articles—from the Abecedarian to the Terza Rima, and now the Terzenelle, with more to explore later. Poetry has such a vast base from which to choose. If you are stuck in a same-o, same-o syndrome, take a look at some new types and experiment with them to broaden your sights. Watch them inject new fervor and enthusiasm into your writing.

The terzenelle poem combines the villanelle and the terza rima formats. The 19 lines (all lines must be of the same metrical length) interlock in triplets plus a concluding quatrain. The triplets have repeated lines as does the quatrain. The ending may be either of two types shown in the line descriptions below. Capital letters indicate repeated lines; lower case letters are unique.

Line and Rhyme Scheme

1. A    4. b     7. c     10. d   13. e
2. B    5. C    8. D    11. E   14. F
3. A    6. B    9. C    12. D  15. E

Ending Type one / Ending Type two

16. f                          16. f
17. A                        17. F
18. F                        18. A
19. A                        19. A

Here is one of my terzanelle poems (with rhyme scheme symbols), and using ending Type One. Each line is seven syllables in this example.

Enlightened Precepts

A God’s holy word is inspired
B Its message will make one wise.
A God’s holy word is inspired.

b Follow Him; don’t compromise.
C Read the gospel; let it speak
B Its message will make one wise.

c The Redeemer’s face you seek
D Examine the word, obey
C Read the gospel; let it speak.

d Contemplate—its message weigh.
E Everlasting in its truth.
D Examine the word, obey

e It’s good from the day of youth
F Far, the greater of all books,
E Everlasting in its truth.

f Refreshing as fountain brooks,
A God’s holy word is inspired.
F Far, the greater of all books
A God’s holy word is inspired.

You may wish to try your hand at writing a terzenelle poem. If so, please send me a copy at jetate@sbcglobal.net, and I’ll consider it for a future article.

Leaving the terzenelles, let us review the following poem written in couplets by a published poet of distinction, W.C. Parkey. While the poem is not in this month’s format it is on the selected subject, speaking to us in precepts found in Proverbs 19: 9-19.

Practical Precepts

A false witness shall not unpunished go,
And a man speaking lies will perish, I know.

Delight is not seemly when done by a fool;
Much less by a servant over princes to rule.

A good man’s discretion helps defer his wrath;
It is part of his glory o’er transgressions to pass.

The king’s wrath scares like the lion’s roar,
But his favor refreshes like the dew on the moor.

A foolish son ruins his father in truth.
A nagging wife, is like a leak in the roof.

Houses and riches are inherited from Dad.
A prudent wife from the Lord will make glad.

Laziness will put you into a deep sleep,
And Idleness will cause you to hunger and weep.

He who keeps the commandment, keeps his soul just as well,
But who is careless in conduct will end up in hell.

He who pities the poor, to the Lord loves to lend.
And the Lord will repay what he owes in the end.

Chasten your son while there’s hope he’ll repent;
Do not let his crying make you relent.

A man who will sin finds punishment and pain.
Do not pay his fine, for he’ll do it again. 

Thanks, W. C. Parkey for the fine poem. Until next month when we address Tetractys, go with God, and be blessed in your poetry.

James
jetate@sbcglobal.net