Fixed form poetry is a type of poetry that is defined by strict rules, with specific structures and patterns of rhyme, meter, and line length. These rules are a crucial aspect of the form, as they require the poet to work within set constraints, which can both challenge and inspire them to create new ideas and expressions.
Examples of fixed form poetry include sonnets, which have 14 lines, an ABAB rhyme scheme, and a strict iambic pentameter meter. Another example is the villanelle, which has 19 lines, a specific chain of repeated lines, and a strict rhyme scheme (ABA ABA ABA ABA ABA ABAA). Haikus are also a common form of fixed form poetry, with 17 syllables in a 5-7-5 pattern.
Pantoums are another example of fixed form poetry, which consists of a series of quatrains with a specific pattern of repeating lines. The first and third lines of each stanza repeat in the next stanza as the second and fourth, respectively. This creates a circular effect which can be used to build tension and enhance the meaning of the poem.
Sestinas are a more complex form of fixed form poetry, consisting of six stanzas, each with six lines, followed by a three-line envoi. The same six words end each line of the first stanza, but these words are then re-arranged in specific patterns throughout the subsequent stanzas, culminating in the envoi which uses all six words in a final statement or conclusion.
All these examples of fixed form poetry demonstrate the beauty and versatility of this poetic form, as poets find creative ways to work within the constraints of the form, while also expressing their unique voice and vision.
