Torn (A Quatern)

[Jo Lynn Ehnes]

You know me and my need for form.

What dangers gather just beyond
the door? Within forbidden hall
temptations lie; await to pounce
upon unfocused lives who yearn

for tastes of raptures never known.
What dangers gather just beyond
the dusk? There darkness beckons those
seduced by lustful words of want

disguised as language of amour.
Consumed by craved crescendo, now,
what dangers gather just beyond
the risk? Illusive daggers thrust

into devotion's beating heart,
create an undetermined loss
unto a once eternal vow.
What dangers gather just beyond...




Author Notes
A Quatern is a sixteen line French form composed of four quatrains. It is similar to the Kyrielle and the Retourne. It has a refrain that is in a different place in each quatrain. The first line of stanza one is the second line of stanza two, third line of stanza three, and fourth line of stanza four. A quatern has eight syllables per line. It does not have to be iambic or follow a set rhyme scheme.

[mfwilkie]

A couple of bumps in syntax for me on my first read, but overall I really like this, JL.

Will be back after some mulling.

It would be interesting if we all tried one.

Mags

[Jo Lynn Ehnes]

I really think it's an interesting form and it's not all that restrictive, only in the repitition and the syllable count. Outside of that it's pretty free.

[bulerias]

I loved the content re risk in love ( as in all matters worth pursuing...). And THANK YOU for the quick lesson on the quatern. After reading the definition, it truly is remarkable that you are able to write so beautifully with just 8 syllables per line !!

[Ron Wallace (Scotshawk)]

Now that's a form I could grow nerve enough to try. Outstanding I thought. Ron