Poetic Form Of The Month
Each month, World Poetry Open Mic explores a new poetic form, inviting poets to expand their abilities by both writing and then sharing their work.
Each month, World Poetry Open Mic explores a new poetic form, inviting poets to expand their abilities by both writing and then sharing their work.
February 2020
This month's form is:
Imayo
The imayo is a 4-line Japanese poem that has 12 syllables in each line. If a 12-syllable line sounds unique for a Japanese poetic form, don’t fret. There is a planned caesura (or pause) between the first 7 syllables and the final 5. The 5/7 syllable splits are the familiar patterns found in other Japanese forms like haiku, tanka, and senryu.
The imayo was originally written to be sung, but that’s not a requirement. Also, poets have free range on subject matter...
The imayo was originally written to be sung, but that’s not a requirement. Also, poets have free range on subject matter...