The pantoum is a type of poem that originated in Malaysia. It features quatrains with an ABAB rhyme pattern. Lines 2 and 4 of each quatrain become lines 1 and 3 of the next. Five quatrains later, you come full circle, with the first line of the poem being the last. Thank you, NY Times and Rita Dove and Allison Joseph for introducing me to the pantoum.
I love these things. I’m writing some.
Your job? Please vote by giving a thumbs up. I'll keep tabs and the ones that are most popular will become songs. Because I’m now writing music, too. Smiley face.
PANTOUM #1 THE BEACH BALL
The beach ball cruises in the pool.
The sun is not yet glaring.
The crows caw harsh and cruel.
I wonder where you’re staring.
The sun is not yet glaring.
Last night sleeps in the shade.
I wonder where you’re staring.
Can memories be unmade?
Last night sleeps in the shade.
I crank the Billy Joel.
Can memories be unmade?
If a beach ball had a soul…
When I crank the Billy Joel,
You wake up from your trance.
If a beach ball had a soul
It would do your bouncy dance.
You have woken from your trance -
No crows, no harsh, no cruel.
You pull me to your bouncy dance.
The beach ball cruises in the pool.
