In the shape of an upside down (inverted) triangle, this form must be centered for full effect, but may be aligned left or right when formatting will not permit center alignment.
There is no set syllable count per line, but each descending line must be reduced by (at least) two letters, until there is one word at the bottom, and a smooth sided inverted triangle has been produced.
12 Lines total are required in the following order:
1 … Opening/Introduction Line
2 … Quatrains (4-Line verses)
1 … 3-Line Closing Verse (triplet)
Rhyme scheme is: x, xbxb, xcxc, xxx (x = no rhyme). But, by author's choice, there can be more rhymes, as long as the required minimum rhyme scheme is met. A space between L1, each quatrain and the closing 3 lines is also required to meet Richard's form.
My Review
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So pleased I waited to view on my computer rather than phone. The splendid form was completely lost on a small screen. Now I can see it in all its inverted perfection and magnificent it looks too. I have never attempted a poem which has such a visual impact with its words. So clever. I love your lilies. We have some in our garden. I have always called them tiger lilies. They remind me of one of the characters in Rupert Bear stories I used to read a long, long time ago. Tiger Lily was a Chinese friend of Ruperts. As for the poem itself, I see this as being a statement of the political situation in your country. Extremes on both political sides, red and blue and the middle ground is left infertile. Not a healthy situation and quite a contrast in comparison to the purity of your lilies. Politics can stink at times. Happy Independence day Mr E. Hope you are having a very happy day, despite the politics and the covid. Sending my best to you. We have similar extremes over here.
Chris
Posted 7 Months Ago
2 of 2 people found this review constructive.
7 Months Ago
spot on Chris! that's exactly what I was trying to convey .. the middle ground use to be the place w.. read morespot on Chris! that's exactly what I was trying to convey .. the middle ground use to be the place where things got done ... too much of the wrong stuff going on these days ... love your thoughts and review .. much appreciated! My 4th was celebrated but subdued .. parades and gatherings typical in prior years of course canceled ..but I got together with a few neighbors and lit a few crackers :)
E.
An wonderfully visual form. Can’t be easy to do. Your poem says it like it is. Day after day political pollution and more. It is so disheartening.There is nothing much anymore that even echos middle ground or reason. It’s sad. Brilliantly expressed.
Posted 5 Months Ago
5 Months Ago
thank you for reviewing m'Lady ;) i am gratified this comes across clearly for you ... and, of cours.. read morethank you for reviewing m'Lady ;) i am gratified this comes across clearly for you ... and, of course, i share your sentiments .. thanks again for reading and letting me know what you think :)
E.
A wonderful poem for the swamp lily. I liked the photo too. We have the river lilies and the river wildflowers in Michigan. So beautiful. Thank you my friend for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote
glad you enjoyed the read John .. and thank you for taking time to leave your comments .. love and p.. read moreglad you enjoyed the read John .. and thank you for taking time to leave your comments .. love and peace!
E.
5 Months Ago
Always my pleasure to read your work. I will semi-retire in October. More time to read and write. Yo.. read moreAlways my pleasure to read your work. I will semi-retire in October. More time to read and write. You are welcome.
5 Months Ago
congratulations Coyote John! I am happy for you .. I have been fully retired for about 7 yrs.. i lov.. read morecongratulations Coyote John! I am happy for you .. I have been fully retired for about 7 yrs.. i love it .. lots of time to re-invent one's self ;)
hi Sara! what a delight to have your visit .. they are pretty bold flowers aren't they! growing up t.. read morehi Sara! what a delight to have your visit .. they are pretty bold flowers aren't they! growing up to 6 feet tall ... do you have any planted near your home? they are native to Arkansas and grow wild in the woods but it was one of my neighbors that turned me on to them ... I am thinning trees from around the cabin (fire safety) and he uses the logs to heat his home .. he brought some seeds over for me and I planted them near my dog Bella's grave site out back ... she passed last October :( thanks so much for taking time to read and comment .. love and peace!
E.
6 Months Ago
Yes, my garden is full of them! there's a species called Lilium carniolicum (https://en.wikipedia.or.. read moreYes, my garden is full of them! there's a species called Lilium carniolicum (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lilium_carniolicum) that is native to my country. You can find them all over our forests.
Oh my god, I'm so sorry for your dog. She's in puppy heaven over the rainbow and I'm sure she's looking over you :)
6 Months Ago
yes ...she is .. lately her "nephew" Beauregard has been showing some of her behaviors ... yes...i b.. read moreyes ...she is .. lately her "nephew" Beauregard has been showing some of her behaviors ... yes...i believe she is with us in many ways ;) thank you for your heart my friend!
could be a top spinning, I bet Richard is impressed that you remembered the exact date, and that you included the copywrite symbol, in lieu of what or whom begs the question :D It kinda has a political flare but then ends on a romantic note, mmmm love and politics, a debate with these topics could feel more like a twister than a top :P
hi Corset! thanks for taking time .. as to top or twister ... the both spin don't they ;) its politi.. read morehi Corset! thanks for taking time .. as to top or twister ... the both spin don't they ;) its political .. very interesting you see a romance in it ... but hey .. both can be quite the ride ... lots of ups and downs ... and sometimes we get burned eh!? you have a fine day today and always my friend!
E.
Fantastic! Such a clever piece, and so fascinating to look at. Lovely imagery.
Posted 6 Months Ago
6 Months Ago
thanks for stopping by LouBelle! I appreciate you taking time to read comment ..glad you enjoyed .. .. read morethanks for stopping by LouBelle! I appreciate you taking time to read comment ..glad you enjoyed .. forms are a challenge for me but with help from Richard it was also very gratifying to do .. thanks again for taking time .. peace and joy
E.
Loved this innovative form! Even more, the starkly different way the beautiful flower is viewed here through your poetic lense, taking a welcome break from the norm. All in all, a stunning poem, visually and literally, dear E!
Posted 6 Months Ago
6 Months Ago
thanks so much for your kind words .. much appreciated my friend ... and again . so happy you are fi.. read morethanks so much for your kind words .. much appreciated my friend ... and again . so happy you are finding time to hang out .. right here at the Cafe" :)
E.
You've taken this challenging Shape/Concrete Form and created a virtual little masterpiece, making it your own in your always thought-provoking style. And, it's inverted delta shape is spot-on … simply marvelous!
What an honor it sincerely is to have a poet of your stature and popularity compose in one of my forms, performing such an excellently laid out and presented result … love your picture choice of the Turk's Turbans, too. The title, "Swamp Lilly", is far more fetching, though, I think. Plus, the imagery of your always grammatically mystifying syntax paints an impacting political picture in the mind and heart.
KUDOS to you, My Friend, for a successful challenge, well accepted and done! ⁓ Richard 🍃
Posted 6 Months Ago
6 Months Ago
life is complete now sir!! ;) but you well know it would not be so fit to form had you not offered y.. read morelife is complete now sir!! ;) but you well know it would not be so fit to form had you not offered you input when I asked for it ... but i can not be more happy ... that you enjoyed and approve the final product .. yes .. the title is much better this way .. I don't know why I did not think of it right off ... thanks so much for checking in on this final product .. you are always a grand inspiration for all who know you .. be well and keep staying safe out there Richard .. peace and joy!
E.
Hmmmm Richard is holding out on me! LOL I have not seen this form of his. But, how wonderfully you composed this! Your wording is lovely ( as so is this lilly) Visually stunning and so well done! Thank you kindly for sharing :-)
Posted 7 Months Ago
7 Months Ago
and thank you for visiting Susan ... your avatar brings me such a joy .. each time i see it! it exud.. read moreand thank you for visiting Susan ... your avatar brings me such a joy .. each time i see it! it exudes such a sparkling happiness! a positive energy for sure ... you must be dynamite to be around ... thank you for your encouraging, kind review .. glad you enjoyed ... be safe .. stay well my friend
E.
well you got me on this one Mr. Einstein... rhyme, alliteration and imagery all in one pointy triangular shot into the soil of my minds eye:) what an odd looking flower reminds me of the wild tiger lillies here in PA
Posted 7 Months Ago
7 Months Ago
one of my neighbors was picking up some wood i had cut and told me about them .. they grow up to 6 f.. read moreone of my neighbors was picking up some wood i had cut and told me about them .. they grow up to 6 feet tall ... are native to my home here in Arkansas ... i'm honored by your visit sir! thanks so much for taking time and your great review ... "pointy triangular" ... that's so Bad Bunny ;)))))))))
E.
I love writing about extraordinary special flowers, such as Venus fly trap, fairy slippers wort, and this Turk cap Lilly and have poems on them yet to be posted here. So I admired your sublime abstract poem employing the flower. The ending line reads sensational. Kudos.
plz pleez do read and comment my newest poem too. I like to know poets thoughts.
Posted 7 Months Ago
7 Months Ago
well thanks Big S! nice to meet you! I will definitely stop by your place soon ... yeah! flowers are.. read morewell thanks Big S! nice to meet you! I will definitely stop by your place soon ... yeah! flowers are groovy :)))))))))))))
E.
"What arbitrary assignments! .. What arbitrary differentiations! What one-sided preferences, first for this, then for that property of a thing! ... with words it is never a question of truth, never a .. more..