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Terza Rima
The terza rima poem is an interesting structure with three triplets
and a couplet. Its eleven syllable lines have a basic rhyme scheme of
aba, bcb, cdc, dd. The first and third lines rhyme. The second line
rhymes with the first and third of the next stanza (tercet).
Variations of the structure allow for four triplets (adding ded) and a
couplet (ee). Also some writers use either 10 or 11 syllables per
line.
Dante Alegheri invented the terza rima for The Divine Comedy. This
style poem can encompass short poetry of eleven lines or the three or
four triplets with their ending couplets may be replicated throughout
the poem in epic proportions.
In writing the poem below, I used phrases and excerpts from
Scriptures. Note the braiding effect of the rhymes as they interlock.
A mixture of masculine and feminine rhymes in the poem adds an element
of diversity. The numbers refer to Scriptures.
Terza Rima Sonnet
Grow in Discipleship
His great delight is in the
law of the Lord,
And in his law he meditates day and night,
Worshiping God with others in one accord (1)
Then shall the King say unto
them on his right,
Come, ye blessed of God, inherit the kingdom
Prepared for you by God’s creative insight. (2)
And praying always for His
kingdom to come.
Speak always in supplication of spirit;
Watch with all perseverance for Christendom. (3)
Be careful for nothing; pray
aloud—hear it.
Make your requests known by love and thanksgiving,
Pray for all things; be sure that God is near it. (4)
Be ye kind to each other and
forgiving,
Remember to pardon and enjoy living. (5)
1) Psalm
1:2. 2) Matthew 25:34. 3) Ephesians 6:18. 4) Philippians 4:6. 5)
Ephesians 4:32
Shelley’s Ode to the West Wind is a terza rima poem, and Robert
Frost used the form as well. Frost knew the raw power of bold
masculine rhymes as in “Acquainted with the Night.” Take a look at
the rhyming end words in the four triplets—night, rain, light/ lane,
beat, explain/ feet, cry, street/ and good-bye, height, sky. The
couplet included these rhymes— right, night.
We show enough of Frost’s poem for you to see the interlocking
rhymes in the last triplet and the couplet:
But not to call me back or say
good-bye;
And further still at an unearthly height,
A luminary clock against the sky
Proclaimed the time was
neither wrong nor right.
I have been one acquainted with the night.
Perhaps you have a poem in the terza rima format. If so, send me a
copy and I may have a spot for it in a future article. Next month I’ll
be writing on terzanelle poems. Grab a pen and go to work.
Blessings,
James Tate
jetate@sbcglobal.net
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