September 1st happens to celebrate another of those unusual days – this time, it is No Rhyme or Reason Day. And that makes it a great reason to not rhyme for this week’s Poetic Sundays! While I know blank verse or free verse do not (necessarily rhyme), I decided to focus on the ‘no rhyme’ part and make up a poetic form that might be perfect for this. A refractory poem. While I am not sure if one already exists (at least my searches didn’t return any), in case any reader is aware of such a form, please do let me know.
Until then, read on to find out more about the refractory rhyme poem; the rules are simple and fun, and …. well, go ahead and read on 🙂
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Poetic Sundays: Rhyming in the Refractory Rhyme Poem
Refractory rhymes are words without rhymes, orange being one of the most famous ones. And when I noted the No Rhyme Nor Reason Day coming this week (mentioned last year as well on my post here), I went on the hunt for a poetic form that might work here. The first ones that came to mind as well as in the search results for ‘no rhyme’ were the blank and free verse poems. But then I needed some challenging fun for the day – so came up with the Refractory Rhyme Poem.
So What is the Refractory Rhyme Poem@?
The refractory rhyme poem can go one of two ways. The first one is to pick a few words that are refractory rhymes, and write a poem where you attempt to rhyme those words in one of many ways that I suggest later today. The second one is to simply write a poem with refractory rhymes making up the end words of the lines of your poem.
The Refractory Rhyme Poem Characteristics
So the refractory poem’s elements are that at its most basic, in the
First Option,
it is
- a poem that relies on refractory rhymes, or words that are ‘un-rhymable,’ or at least, don’t have a perfect rhyme in the English language
- rhymed: kind of, since it is up to the poet to use their creativity and imagination to rhyme the ‘un-rhymable’
- up to the poet to choose meter, length of poem, theme, and any other aspects otherwise..
Second Option,
it is
- a poem that relies on refractory rhymes, or words that are ‘un-rhymable,’ or at least, don’t have a perfect rhyme in the English language
- unrhymed: simply use refractory rhymes as the end words for each line
- up to the poet to choose meter, length of poem, theme, and any other aspects otherwise..
My Attempts
First option
Lucy’s Rhyming Refractories
Lucy, that dame from Blorenge
She, of a sudden, wanted an orange..
This desire filled her so with angst
that her love rode swift on a cat manxed
and when he brought her back that orange
Lucy, that dame from orange
danced with glee, or rather waltzed
to music that was, well, overly smaltzed!
~ Vidya @ LadyInReadWrites
Second option
Lucy – A Rhyme of Refractories
Lucy, of a sudden, wanted an orange..
This desire filled her so with angst
and when her love got one for his woman
Lucy, with glee, she waltzed!
~ Vidya @ LadyInReadWrites
Sources/References
Recently
On My Blog
Well, recently is a matter of perception here!! One post from a while ago and another that fits into everyone’s idea of recently.
- Sunday Scribblings #111: Cleave – A Cool Date & A Wonderful Poetic Form
- The Wonderful Superpower of Family
On the Homefront
Start of school years: Part 1
In my last Sunday Scribblings, I wrote about the end of school years, and while I had hoped to write during the summer holidays (for my teens), the days just flew by, and here I am, already writing about the start of school years. My high-schooler (this year, a junior – that is, 11th grade) has completed one week of her school year already.
The Time In-between: aka Summer, aka When We’re Otherwise Occupied
A lot of things happened which will technically need a couple of posts. Travel within and away from the country, and more.. But here is a preview of some of the things we saw and did:
From L to R (Top to bottom): A view from the window, the Varamahalakshmi puja at home in India, the Ganga Aarti (at 5 am in the morning – simply awe-inspiring to watch), the Buddha statue at Sarnath (built a few years ago in commemoration of the destroyed Bamiyan Buddha statues), Hanuman Ghat in Varanasi, the Kashi Vishwanath temple corridor, a view from Triveni Sangam at Prayagraj or Allahabad, Konark Sun temple, Lingaraj temple (Bhubaneshwar), observing Raksha Bandhan, sunset at Puri beach.
Upcoming
On My Blog
Hopefully more posts..
On the Homefront
Start of school years: Part 2
My collegiate will get started on his sophomore (or second) year of college three weeks later!
Others
It is festival season for us. We celebrated one just the week before celebrating the Hindu god, Krishna, and another one is coming this week, which celebrates the one we worship before all, the remover of obstacles, Lord Ganesha. In addition, a birthday in the family (well, in India), and getting back into routines in full speed!
Celebrations
Literary Celebrations (close-to-it also!)
- Literary birthdays this week include: Oliver Wendell Holmes on the 29th of August; Mary Shelley on the 30th of August; Amrita Pritam on the 31st; Edgar Rice Burroughs, Dushyant Kumar, and Timothy Zahn on the 1st of September; Allen Drury, Tripura, and Eugene Field on September 2nd; Jenny Han, Roshanara Begum, Kiran Desai, and Malcolm Gladwell on the 3rd of September; Joan Aiken, Mary Renault, Kalki Sadasivam, and S. K. Ramachandra on Sept 4th
- It is Frankenstein Day on August 30th! So go ahead and check out Mary Shelley’s book once again, or get your own copy out from your home library and settle down with it.
- Pick up a memoir to read on the 31st for it is We Love Memoirs Day
- It is World Letter Writing Day on the 1st of September as well as National No Rhyme (Nor Reason) Day
- Sept 4th is National Newspaper Carrier Day
- As for the month of September, it is National Literacy Month, Read a New Book Month, and National Library Card Sign-up Month
Foodie Celebrations
- August 29th is National Chop Suey Day and National Lemon Juice Day. It is also More Herbs, Less Salt Day so maybe include a healthy dose of herbs to season your chop suey?
- The 30th is perfect for summer as it is National Toasted Marshmallow Day
- While summer celebrations continue with National Eat Outside Day and National Trail Mix Day on the 31st of August
- Oh well, it is National Burnt Ends Day on the 1st of September.. or rather, a perfect way to remind us it is ok
- It is World Coconut Day on the 2nd of September and also National Blueberry Popsicle Day
- September 2nd being the first Friday for the month, is also National Food Bank Day. So one way to remind us to provide to those who need it – food…
- National Welsh Rarebit Day is observed on the 3rd of September, and before you wonder or think it, this food item has no rabbit or any thing similar in it!!
- And the popular Indian snack gets a day all its own with World Samosa Day on the 4th of September!! This date also happens to be National Macadamia Nut Day and National Spice Blend Day
Other Celebrations
- August 29th is According to Hoyle Day, and I find this observance very cool!! Read on more about it
- The 30th of August is National Beach Day and National Grief Awareness Day
- August 31st is National Matchmaker Day and a very important festival celebrated across various parts of India as well – Ganesh Chathurthi.
- 4th of September is National Wildlife Day
Multi-day Observations
It is a whole slew of month long observations as well.. Some of them that I want to highlight include National Square Dance Month, National Courtesy Month, Self Improvement Month, National Rice Month, National Sewing Month, and National Piano Month; and last, but not the least, Intergeneration Month.
Refractory and Other Related Reads
Wrapped Up: My Sunday Scribblings
So dear reader, you have reached the end of this Sunday Scribblings! As always, I welcome your thoughts, comments, and suggestions about this post. And do let me know if you plan to celebrate any of these mentioned celebrations this coming week/month?
Linking this to the Sunday Post over at the Caffeinated Reviewer and the Sunday Salon
Wow, I think both options of your poems are amazing
I always learn so much about poetry when I visit your blog. Thanks!
Thanks for always sharing your love for poetry. I love your poem, creatively done.
I like the fun aspect of rhyming the un-rhymable.
I enjoyed reading your two poems that give an example of refractory rhyming. I think the poems are lovely, and reading them helps to understand the type of poetry you’re describing!
Interesting correlation between the time of summer break and heading back to the busy life. As a mom of multiple children, I feel it.
My little one just started school, which means I will also have more time to write! I enjoyed the poems.
I love poetry. I am going to try your “Sunday Scribbling” in September to remember! Thank you for the experience!
I was not familiar with this kind of rhyme. It is nice to see some examples to get an idea of how it works.
So many fun literary birthdays coming up! I didn’t even realize!
Totally agree!