16. Triolet
The triolet has eight lines, and takes its name from a French word meaning “small trio,” which refers to the three repetitions of the first line.
Like a villanelle, It has only two rhymes, and two of the lines repeat. Here’s the layout:
1A first rhyme
1B second rhyme
2a rhymes with first line
1A repeat first line
3a rhymes with first line
2b rhymes with second line
1A repeat first line
1B repeat second line
There is no hard and fast rule about meter, but once you have chosen the length of your line, the other lines that rhyme with it should be the same.
It seems to have good flow if the “a” and “b” lines are different lengths.
It seems simple, but can be deceptively powerful - like the quick stabbing of a stiletto.
********
O why do you walk through the fields in gloves,
Missing so much and so much?
O fat white woman whom nobody loves,
Why do you walk through the fields in gloves,
When the grass is soft as the breast of doves
And shivering sweet to the touch?
O why do you walk through the fields in gloves,
Missing so much and so much?
-- Frances Cornford
Like a villanelle, It has only two rhymes, and two of the lines repeat. Here’s the layout:
1A first rhyme
1B second rhyme
2a rhymes with first line
1A repeat first line
3a rhymes with first line
2b rhymes with second line
1A repeat first line
1B repeat second line
There is no hard and fast rule about meter, but once you have chosen the length of your line, the other lines that rhyme with it should be the same.
It seems to have good flow if the “a” and “b” lines are different lengths.
It seems simple, but can be deceptively powerful - like the quick stabbing of a stiletto.
********
O why do you walk through the fields in gloves,
Missing so much and so much?
O fat white woman whom nobody loves,
Why do you walk through the fields in gloves,
When the grass is soft as the breast of doves
And shivering sweet to the touch?
O why do you walk through the fields in gloves,
Missing so much and so much?
-- Frances Cornford
This is a work of fan fiction, written because the author has an abiding love for the works of J R R Tolkien. The characters, settings, places, and languages used in this work are the property of the Tolkien Estate, Tolkien Enterprises, and possibly New Line Cinema, except for certain original characters who belong to the author of the said work. The author will not receive any money or other remuneration for presenting the work on this archive site. The work is the intellectual property of the author, is available solely for the enjoyment of Henneth Annûn Story Archive readers, and may not be copied or redistributed by any means without the explicit written consent of the author.
