A quadrille
In the form of a Than Bauk
Just got the news
that my muse has
refused to aid
me - betrayed me!
Dismayed, I sigh.
Thus denied, words
won't fly without
her about; and
rerouting thoughts
through new dots just
leaves knotted lines.
Undermined, I'm
inclined to throw in my worn towel.
Than Bauk
- A verse has at least three lines;
- Every line has four syllables;
- The nickname for this form of poetry, could be “Stairway”, because of the rhyme steps through the poem. This is the basic rhyme scheme:
- O. O. O. a
O. O. a. O
O. a. O. b
O. O. b. O
O. b. O. c
O. O. c. O
O. c. O. d. etc.;
- O. O. O. a
- A verse frequently ends with a longer line, often of 5, 7, 9 or even 11 syllables.
d’Verse Quadrille #143:
The above Than Bauk is my take on today’s d’Verse’s Quadrille challenge.
The Quadrille is simply a poem of 44 words (excluding the title), and it can take any form. This week’s challenge was to use the word “muse” in a Quadrille.
Let’s write poetry together!
When it comes to partnership, some humans can make their lives alone – it’s possible. But creatively, it’s more like painting: you can’t just use the same colours in every painting. It’s just not an option. You can’t take the same photograph every time and live with art forms with no differences.
–Ben Harper (b. 1969)
Would you like to create poetry with me and have a completed poem of yours featured here at the Skeptic’s Kaddish? I am very excited to have launched the ‘Poetry Partners’ initiative and am looking forward to meeting and creating with you… Check it out!
The Skeptic's Kaddish 🇮🇱 
How do you write so brilliantly?!! 🙌🙌🙌🙌
I deny myself sleep until my thoughts blur❣️
I like this form, and you’ve really used it well to present your ideas in a way that skips into the reader’s mind. The rhyme scheme is almost hypnotic. I especially like “rerouting thoughts/through new dots just/leaves knotted lines.”
💙💟 thanks, HW 💟💙
This was fun! And who knew you were such an old salt? Arrrr ye lubbers! Loved this.
🤎💕 Shay 💕🤎
Like the rhyme scheme 🙂 I’d throw in a trowel too—they hit harder!
😁 Jane 😁
That last line reminded me of Hitchhikers Guide to The Galaxy, and how all hitchhikers should make sure to bring a towel. I’ve had those days where it doesn’t matter what you try, the words just twist back on you and leave the whole page tangled. Fantastic take on the prompt.
I hadn’t thought of that towel reference until someone else mentioned it 😌
But it sure makes me happy 😁
Thanks, Carol.
-David
Another great form, it has a wonderful rhythm to it, and I love the way the form tells the story.
💞 💞 Paul 💞 💞
❤️
I would say that if you can achieve this level of complexity in just 44 words, you’re not ready to throw in the towel. Well done.
❤ thanks, Alexandra ❤
(at the very least, maybe I can get another towel from my closet 😉 )
Over and above with the Than Bauk. Always bring a towel.
I got that reference 😀
Haha, I hoped you might.
I read ALL of the books.
Your muse can never desert you, David! Clever write. ❤️
Wow, David!! You take up next to impossible syllable writing challenges and come out with flying colours! I’m speechless. 🙂 Nice combo of forms too!
Beautiful poem. Loved it. It’s very interesting to know about many emerging forms of poetry. Keep blogging.
Ok, but why the worn towel?
well the expression is – “throw in the towel” – which means to admit defeat.
and my towel is “worn” because that’s 1) how I feel, and 2) sounds good (has assonance) with the words “throw” and “towel”