Triolet

A Triolet is a poetic form consisting of only 8 lines. Within a Triolet, the 1st, 4th, and 7th lines repeat, and the 2nd and 8th lines do as well. The rhyme scheme is simple: ABaAabAB, capital letters representing the repeated lines.

There are variations of the triolet, in which each line is 8 syllables in length (4 metrical feet), written in iambic tetrameter (the more common way), or in pentameter (English version) in which each line only has 10 syllables (5 metrical feet).

Example #1:

My Heart Residing in Thy Chest

In response to Shelly's, "The Indian Serenade".

For, break it shall and so it must
My heart residing in thy chest
When placed in care of lover's trust
For, break it shall and so it must
Passion's ashes returned to dust
This lonely heart is laid to rest
For, break it shall and so it must
My heart residing in thy chest

Example #2:

In Mourning Black

In response to "All in Green" by e.e. cummings

Fair maid, clad all in mourning black
Rides off upon her golden steed.
A mocking gesture: heart she lack'd.
Fair maid, clad all in mourning black,
Sheds not a tear and turns her back
With no regrets for wicked deeds.
Fair maid, clad all in mourning black,
Rides off upon her golden steed.

Example #3:

Mourning Twilight

In response triolet to James Joyce "She Weeps Over Rahoon"

Embrace twilight and bid farewell
to passion's warmth and sweet caress.
A grave's prepared where she will dwell
embrace twilight and bid farewell.
O hear the mourning of her bell
that tolls for sorrows you supress
embrace twilight and bid farewell
to passion's warmth and sweet caress.