.O.R.M.- The Rictameter Views: 59
Jun 01, 2010 8:43 am F.O.R.M.- The Rictameter #
Jack Huber
The Rictameter
There seems to be no end to syllabic-based formats. The rictameter was invented by two cousins, Jason D. Wilkins and Richard W. Lunsford, Jr., who had started their own poetry club. The “Brotherhood of the Amarantos Mystery” was inspired in 1989 by the dark but stirring movie, “Dead Poets Society,” starring Robin Williams. In their weekly “Brotherhood” meetings, Jason and Richard held private poetry contests and experimented with new poetic formats, eventually coming up with the “rictameter,” which Jason apparently named after Richard. Since then, the rictameter has gained in popularity, with several websites now dedicated to or highlighting this form.
The syllable counts are specific in the rictameter. A single stanza begins and ends with the same two-syllable word, and in between the syllable count rises, then falls, by two syllables per line, with line five being the center and longest line. Thus the lines have the syllable count, 2-4-6-8-10-8-6-4-2, for a total of 50 syllables.
As with most other fixed-syllable forms, there is no meter nor rhyming required, and no limitation as to subject matter. Rictameter variations do exist, such as multiple stanzas, allowing for storytelling, and relaxing the strict number of syllables required in each line by plus or minus one.
Example:
Idyllic
Quiet
shouts idyllic
in this pastoral scene-
though blackbirds pierce the perfect calm
with echoed intermissions, forgiven.
Am I awake, I ask the mare
as she feeds, or am I
hungering for
quiet?
Copyright © 2010 by Jack Huber
Private Reply to Jack Huber
Jun 01, 2010 10:31 am re: F.O.R.M.- The Rictameter #
Diane Tegarden Jack,
your poem reminds me of "Alice in Wonderland" although I can't imagine why. There aren't horses or blackbirds in that story, but the sense of "fantasy" came to me while reading the poem when you were speaking to the mare.
Thank you for this new form, I shall attempt to write one later in the week.
Merry Meet and Merry Part and Merry Meet Again,
Diane T. and tree family
Energetically, Diane Tegarden
"Getting OUT of Limbo-A Self Help Divorce Book for Women";"Light Through
Shuttered Window- A Compendium of my Poetry";"Anti-Vigilante and The
Rips in Time"- available at www.firewalkerpublications.com and www.Amazon.com
Private Reply to Diane Tegarden
Jun 01, 2010 2:51 pm re: F.O.R.M.- The Rictameter - The Changeling #
Maya Mahant The Changeling
The brook
twinkle toed, sparkling
with sprinkled stardust, flirting
coquettishly with the blue skies.
Effervescent exulting, misty spume
tangos with boulders dark handsome,
before plunging crashing
down the ravine,
the brook?
Private Reply to Maya Mahant
Jun 01, 2010 6:53 pm re: re: F.O.R.M.- The Rictameter - The Changeling #
Rampyari Walia
Nice poem Maya, reminded me of Tennyson´s poem
Another interesting form and poem from you Jack, Here is my attempt. (You know I never practiced form (other than quatrains unitl I joined htis forum). So thanks for teaching us
Love
This feeling
Yearning of all beings
So beautiful in experience, but fleeting
It rejuvenates, uplifts, gives new meaning to living
Yet how many of us have truly experienced the delight
Of love that ever gives, expecting no returns
Unconditional love, that will linger on
Enrapturing senses and soul
Making existence
Worthwhile
Rampyari Walia
Private Reply to Rampyari Walia
Jun 01, 2010 9:07 pm re: re: re: F.O.R.M.- The Rictameter - The Changeling #
Jack Huber Thanks for posting your very nice poems, Maya and Rampyari.
The rictameter should have the syllable counts, 2-4-6-8-10-8-6-4-2 (each corresponding with a line), for a total of 50 syllables.
Maya's is close, just lines 2 and 3 are off. They are 5 and 7 syllables, respectively. Also, I think I would change the last two or three lines so that "the brook?" isn't a question at the end. Make "the brook" simply the end of your sentence.
Ramyari, it appears you have used word counts instead of syllable counts, and your poem doesn't begin and end with the same 2 syllables. There are some forms in which the writer can use either word or syllable counts to conform, but unfortunately this isn't one of those.
Hope this helps.
Jack
Private Reply to Jack Huber
Jun 02, 2010 12:04 am re: re: re: re: F.O.R.M.- The Rictameter - The Changeling #
Maya Mahant Rampyari, you with your poem had me introspect, whether it is nature you write about or human emotions your poems enchant, thank you.
And thank you for liking what I wrote, you are indeed very kind.
Jack, do you ever think I will get is right? I am indebted to you. Thank you ever so much.
Changeling
The brook
twinkle toed, sparkled
with sprinkled stardust, flirted
coquettishly with the blue skies.
Effervescent exulting, misty spume
tangos with boulders dark handsome,
before plunging crashing
down the ravine,
the brook.
Private Reply to Maya Mahant
Jun 02, 2010 10:37 am re: re: re: re: re: F.O.R.M.- The Rictameter - The Changeling #
Jack Huber Maya,
Lines 2 and 3 are still one syllable too long. Here's a suggestion:
The brook, (2)
twinkle-toed, charged (4)
with light stardust, flirted (6)
coquettishly with azure skies. (8)
Jack
Private Reply to Jack Huber
Jun 02, 2010 11:43 am re: re: re: re: re: re: F.O.R.M.- The Rictameter - The Changeling #
Rampyari Walia Thanks for your feedback Jack,
I goofed this time, totally forgot the syllable requirement and used word count instead of syllable. Will try and redo it. But was still fun to write a little poem early Tues morning.Thanks for your patience
rampyari
Private Reply to Rampyari Walia
Jun 02, 2010 1:44 pm re: re: re: re: re: re: F.O.R.M.- The Rictameter - The Changeling #
Maya Mahant Jack your version is perfect. Thank you for sending me the last three lines in PM
The Brook
The brook,
twinkle-toed, charged
with light stardust, flirted
coquettishly with azure skies.
Effervescent exulting, misty spume
tangos with boulders dark handsome,
before plunging into
the deep gorge and
the brook.
Private Reply to Maya Mahant
Jun 02, 2010 3:00 pm re: re: re: re: re: re: re: F.O.R.M.- The Rictameter - Rampyari #
Jack Huber No worries, Rampyari. I thought something like was the case. Your poem is still a worthwhile one; it just isn't a rictameter. Perhaps it a Rampyarial Stanza...
Jack
Private Reply to Jack Huber
Jun 02, 2010 3:02 pm re: re: re: re: re: re: re: F.O.R.M.- The Rictameter - Maya #
Jack Huber Thanks for the mention, Maya, but your original wasn't far off the mark. Very well done.
Jack
Private Reply to Jack Huber
Jun 02, 2010 7:33 pm F.O.R.M.- The Rictameter - Maya #
Stanley Shiel Maya, I like your Changeling...
Private Reply to Stanley Shiel
Jun 03, 2010 12:06 am re: F.O.R.M.- The Rictameter - Maya #
Rampyari Walia Inspired by Maya´s efforts and the wonderful Rictameter, I thought of coreecting my attempt to conform to the form.
Hwever as I started ont eh message board my thoughts started wandering far from the rictameter into a different dimension and here is what emerged(defintiely not a rictameter). Do I make any sense?
Random Thoughts
Love
This feeling
Yearning of all beings
So beautiful in experience, but fleeting
It rejuvenates, uplifts, gives new meaning to living
Yet how many of us have truly experienced the delight
Of love that ever gives, expecting no returns
Unconditional love, that will linger on
Enrapturing senses and soul
Making existence
Worthwhile
Worthwhile
Is lliving
When life has purpose
Reaching out in thoughts, actions fulfilling
Hopes of many, needs of needy, dreams of a few
When life is spent giving freely, knowledge , love
Enriching many others, yet feeling enriched
Being learned , yet yearning,
Ever seeking,
More…
More,
Actions create,
Ever new re-actions
Setting in motion, with helpful constellations
This law Universal, karmic reactions shaping destiny
Leading to destinations beyond imagination, so we envision, beyond vision
And sometimes, seek to unravel those mystical mysteries
Which take us beyond duality into reality
Liberating us and awakening
Lasting peace
Eternally…
Rampyari Walia
Private Reply to Rampyari Walia
Jun 03, 2010 12:56 am re: F.O.R.M.- The Rictameter #
Manohar Bhatia Jack,
This one I like it.Here is my attempt::::::::::::
FILMS.
Bollywood
or the Hollywood
its pure entertainment
where talented actors perform
in exciting locales on mysterious
storylines,humor,tragedy,
of the bravely made films
for the audience
clappings!
Manohar Bhatia
copyright@ManoharBhatia
All rights are reserved.
Private Reply to Manohar Bhatia Delete your post
Jun 03, 2010 3:19 am re: re: F.O.R.M.- The Rictameter - Maya #
Maya Mahant Rampyari,
In 'Random Thoughts' the flow of thoughts from Love as it progresses and culminating in peace Eternally is just awesome.
Maya
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