WC Newsletter #121 * Kyrielle

Writers' Circle Newsletter

Issue #121: April 6th, 2004

(To read back issues of the Writers’ Circle Newsletter, see "WC Newsletter Back Issues" .)

The Canorous Kyrielle

Even if you’re not Catholic, I’ll bet you’ve heard the words Kyrie Eleison (Lord, have mercy) since there are a couple of songs that feature them in the title. Did you know that this refrain produced the French poetic form called the Kyrielle?

You don’t have to be a meandering minstrel to create this Middle Ages form. It’s poet’s choice when it comes to rhyme, stanza’s and meter. Similar to the Chant, the key to the Kyrielle is the repeated line.

As I mentioned before, meter and number of stanzas are up to the poet, but generally there are eight syllables per line and a minimum of three stanzas. The same goes for rhyme schemes but usually they are built like this:

aabB(with this line being the refrain) – ccbB – ddbB and so on.
OR
abaB – cbcB – dbdB and so on.

Since the key is the repeated line, you should make it count. It is not necessary to make the entire line the same in every stanza. (In fact, you can choose to repeat only a single word or phrase.) You can alter it to fit the changing mood and flow of your poem.

Expand your poetic portfolio and try becoming a maestro at the Kyrielle.

Red Writing Hood

Next week’s newsletter will be brought to you by someone tossing green plastic easter grass around the neighborhood and the wonderfully witty esprit .

Featured Poetry From Members:

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On Prufrock  [E] Consideration of a poet. by AdrianaCB

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Featured Kyrielle's From Non-Members:

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Closing our eyes  [13+] Kyrielle poem: The blindness of apathy by Kactus Berry

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Writing Prompt:

Please feel free to submit your results to this prompt here: "Invalid Item" 

Quote:

Recommended Reading, Groups and Forums:

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A Poet's Tool Box  [E] Tools for the trade. by Red Writing Hood

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Grammar and Punctuation Problems?  [E] Message forum for WC grammar and punctuation problems. by Jessiebelle™

You are invited to submit suggestions to the Writers' Circle editors. To submit an item for consideration in the WC newsletter:

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WC Newsletter Feedback and Submissions  [E] WC newsletter submission, a cheer or jeer, or just want to join the group? Find it here! by Red Writing Hood

All comments about this and any WC newsletter are welcome!

Tell your friends about our newsletter! They can sign up through this link. Feel free to forward this newsletter to your friends.

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WC Newsletter Feedback and Submissions  [E] WC newsletter submission, a cheer or jeer, or just want to join the group? Find it here! by Red Writing Hood

Issue #121
4/06/2004
Edited by: Red Writing Hood