The Minute Poem (created by Verna Lee Hinegardner, once Poet Laureate of Arkansas) is a rhyming verse form consisting of 12 lines of 60 syllables (one syllable for each second in a minute).
The Minute is written in strict iambic meter (an un-stressed syllable, followed by a stressed syllable [da-DUM]). The poem is formatted into 3 quatrains, with syllable counts of 8,4,4,4; 8,4,4,4; 8,4,4,4. The rhyme scheme is: aabb, ccdd, eeff.
The theme should describe a finished event – preferably something that can be done in 60 seconds. It is best suited to light verse - humorous, whimsical, or semi-serious.
More info: http://www.shadowpoetry.com/resources/wip/minute.html
MARIE ELENA’S MINUTE
LOOKS
If you were cute, that would suffice I’d treat you nice. I tell you true, I’d care for you. If you were cute, there’d be no need For you to plead To stay a while. You’d make me smile. But you? I’ll sweep you, little bug With ugly mug, Across the floor, And out the door! © Copyright Marie Elena Good – 2013A NEW YORK MINUTE:
IN A MANNER OF SPEAKING
He used to have a way with words,
though so absurd
with what he’d say,
he had a way.
And surely words have caused him pain,
they’ve clogged his brain.
He mumbles now
this sacred vow
to come around with words profound,
his verbs and nouns
articulate;
communicate.
© Copyright Walter J. Wojtanik – 2013
January 16th, 2013 at 1:18 AM
It is best suited to light verse – humorous, whimsical, or semi-serious. … That sounds “relaxing’ and fun.
Both of you did great. Marie…Poor Bug.
Walt…You do have a way with words.
January 16th, 2013 at 1:41 AM
It does sound relaxing…heck, it WAS relaxing!
And you both have written such great poems…again!❤ Marie, I don’t blame you. No bugs in my house either!!😊
January 18th, 2013 at 3:58 PM
Yup! What Marjory said! Your bug-ugly poem made me laugh, Marie… and Walt, you still have a way with words.
January 16th, 2013 at 1:22 AM
BYE-BYE BIRDIE.
I want to sail upon a boat
or sometimes float
and lay in ease
to feel the breeze
as gulls above me dip and swoop
— then drop their poop,
as they pass o’re
on way to shore.
so, I will stand and say o-heck
but wash the deck,
bid gulls adieu,
then nap a-new.
January 16th, 2013 at 1:36 AM
If I am wording to the wrong drum beat
Thanks
[ie NOT getting da-DUM, da-DUM.... right]
I am open for help!
January 16th, 2013 at 6:50 AM
PERFECTION, MMT! Fun, funny, and flawless!
Marie Elena
January 18th, 2013 at 7:48 PM
Thanks Marie – Have not been back to comment sooner -Have been updating three computers to new e-mail accounts and getting many new groves in my brain matter.
January 16th, 2013 at 6:57 AM
I wish someone would make a youtube video about da-DUM… I think audio/visual would work well for me.
January 16th, 2013 at 6:59 AM
Good idea, Hen. Let me give this some thought. We’ll figure out something.
meg
January 16th, 2013 at 7:00 AM
Wonderful!!
January 17th, 2013 at 1:18 PM
I agree with Hen. That would be awesome!
January 18th, 2013 at 8:21 AM
Hen, Erin, and anyone else who wants to see/hear iamb meter, here is a youtube video for you. This video teaches iambic pentameter, which is simply 5 iambs (5 da-DUMs) strung together. In this youtube clip, they use ta-TUM rather than my da-DUM — it’s all the same.
Iambic pentameter youtube url:
Marie Elena
January 18th, 2013 at 8:38 AM
THANK YOU!!
January 18th, 2013 at 8:42 AM
You’re so welcome! Let me know what you think about it.
January 22nd, 2013 at 2:50 AM
Meg, their analogy of our Heartbeat really resonated with me… funny how just the right explanation can open a door… thank you… I will do alot of practicing in my notebooks before I dare to post
!
January 18th, 2013 at 4:01 PM
LOL You did it just perfectly, Marjory. LOL (I was right there with you enjoying the gulls, until… oh heck!)
January 18th, 2013 at 8:05 PM
January 16th, 2013 at 1:39 AM
I love it! And I also want to sail on a boat, but without the bird poop and fish gills!😉
January 16th, 2013 at 6:57 AM
Hee, hee
January 16th, 2013 at 1:37 AM
I’m not sure if I got the da DUM (hehe!) down all the way, but here goes:
The Wind
She changes in a moment’s time
From warm, sublime,
To cool and keen,
To downright mean.
You can’t predict the way she’ll act:
If she’ll retract,
Or boldly dare
To pull your hair.
Her soft caress can turn to slaps,
And then relapse,
And on and on,
Until she’s gone.
January 16th, 2013 at 6:52 AM
And another flawless poem! Great job, Erin! I must ask … little sis?
Marie Elena
January 16th, 2013 at 8:27 AM
If you mean is this about her, no it’s not. It’s the wind. Although I do see some similar features.
January 16th, 2013 at 6:59 AM
I just Love the wind…
January 17th, 2013 at 1:17 PM
So do I!! Have you read At the Back of the North Wind by George MacDonald? It is an amazing book!! I think you’d like it since you love the wind.😉
January 18th, 2013 at 7:59 AM
Aw, gee, thanks! I will!!
January 18th, 2013 at 8:42 AM
Erin, this book is available free on-line, and I just started reading it— the prose is Gorgeous, and I will order a copy to savor and read to my Grandchildren, when they visit me this year– Thank you!!
January 18th, 2013 at 9:16 AM
Awesome!! I’ll have to order one.
January 22nd, 2013 at 2:52 AM
Well… I need to clarify… the book is available to read on-line; but if you want to purchase a hard copy, it is for sale, tho not too expensive.
January 18th, 2013 at 10:33 PM
Perfect, Erin. I found this form very difficult.
January 16th, 2013 at 2:05 AM
It “sounds da-DUM right” to me – but I am on the same learning curve.
Good job of telling the ‘story’, Erin.
[I had to come back on line to see what you had written, 'cause I know you would be here too.]
January 16th, 2013 at 2:16 AM
Thanks Marj!! As soon as I see that there’s a new prompt, I get out my notebook and start to write down ideas. I think my brain is more sensitive and able to write poetry late at night…or early morning, whenever I’m still awake.😉
January 18th, 2013 at 8:07 PM
Oh, Erin the is so “win-full” once you said wind, I returned to reread it – sure enough that is a great discription.
January 16th, 2013 at 6:53 AM
Adorable, Meg; good one, Walt!
January 16th, 2013 at 7:29 AM
I took a few liberties with this form by adding a little ending outside the form rules. Can’t help it; I’m feeling very contrary today.
WE ARE THE MEASURE OF OURSELVES
Once upon a long fingered day,
people saying,
people pointing,
double jointed,
Gossip, chatter, chitter-patter,
tongues a natter,
fingers wagging,
whispers lagging
Behind every accusing glance,
and yet we dance,
we love, no mind
to those unkind
because –
we are the measure of ourselves
January 17th, 2013 at 7:31 AM
January 17th, 2013 at 11:24 AM
Beautiful!!
January 18th, 2013 at 6:04 PM
Thanks Erin and Henrietta!
January 18th, 2013 at 8:08 PM
Yes, Misky, so true.
January 18th, 2013 at 10:34 PM
Love it, Misk.
January 16th, 2013 at 7:36 AM
Usurper Kitty
My Snickers cat chirps like a bird.
It is her word.
With yip and yap
Sits on my lap.
With whiskered wiggle and a purr
She preens her fur.
She nudges me
Repeatedly.
She takes her place before my screen.
It is obscene.
She’d like to play.
Cat, go away!
January 17th, 2013 at 7:32 AM
… oh don’t they!!
January 17th, 2013 at 11:23 AM
Haha! Fun!
January 16th, 2013 at 7:36 AM
[...] Poetic Asides: Prompt #206, Measure Poetic Bloomings In-Form Wednesday: Minute Poetry Form [...]
January 16th, 2013 at 8:50 AM
I <3 this!!!
*A Cuppa*
I like my coffee light and sweet,
not too much heat
but sorta hot.
It hits the spot.
I drink my coffee sweet and light.
It is my right.
But sometimes I
can just get by
with soda, water, milk or tea
(to a degree.)
What gets me up?
My coffee cup!
###
January 17th, 2013 at 1:19 PM
Coffee must be the theme today. This makes me want a cup, RJ! Love it!!
January 18th, 2013 at 8:10 PM
I am with you on the coffee – nothing beats it.!
January 18th, 2013 at 10:35 PM
This flows along like a pour of the coffee pot.
January 16th, 2013 at 9:27 AM
*At My Father-in-Law’s House Two Days Before the Closing*
I’m sitting in an empty room
but there’s no gloom,
just echoes of
the past. I love
the stillness of this old abode
where time has slowed.
Some ghosts drift by.
I can guess why.
In just a few more days this will
be gone. Until
that happens, I
won’t say goodbye.
###
January 16th, 2013 at 10:30 AM
This is beautiful, RJ.
January 17th, 2013 at 1:20 PM
Poignant and beautiful. It made me sad…
January 18th, 2013 at 4:16 PM
This is sweet, RJ. Touching & serious — unexpected from a form that seems to lean more toward humor. Well done!
January 18th, 2013 at 8:11 PM
Yes, so many memories to roll by and savor.
January 18th, 2013 at 10:36 PM
I really relate to this one, RJ. spent a week at my mom’s house, while she is now in a nursing facility.
January 16th, 2013 at 9:31 AM
OBSESSED WITH TIME
(A Minute Poem)
We live our lives obsessed with time.
Appointments climb
the pages marked
in letters dark
remind us moments rule our days.
No wonder, crazed,
we check the clock
that seems to mock
us slaves to schedules’ harsh demands,
to time’s cruel hands,
a hold released
when sleep grants peace.
#
January 17th, 2013 at 7:35 AM
“… when sleep grants peace”… <3
January 17th, 2013 at 11:22 AM
So true!!!
January 18th, 2013 at 4:19 PM
Wow! Another “serious” one — well done, Sal. Maybe it’s my frame of mind after reading RJ’s, but I read sleep as… death — which lends a darker meaning to the whole poem, but either way, it works!
January 18th, 2013 at 8:14 PM
Cold PSC, but I see a good nighs’ repose.
Yes, Sal. that darn clock just gets tooooomuch attention.
Nicely written
January 18th, 2013 at 8:17 PM
Cold????? I think I meant ‘death’
January 18th, 2013 at 10:37 PM
Two last lines are gems, Sal!
January 16th, 2013 at 9:54 AM
O Wondrous Coffee
O Wondrous Coffee’s pungent smell
beneath your spell
low-priced delight
just feels so right
✦✧✦
O Wondrous Coffee’s calling me
a gulping spree
with topped off cup
I’ll slurp you up
✦✧✦
O Wondrous Coffee’s ballyhoo
fantastic brew
beyond compare
I’ll be right there
© ~ Randy Bell ~ 2013
January 17th, 2013 at 7:36 AM
…hee, hee… this one just sang right along!
January 17th, 2013 at 8:10 AM
Guess we’re on the same page, kinda sorta.
January 17th, 2013 at 8:16 AM
It’s the vibe we roll on, writing on the same subject at almost the same time, but you beat to the finish line by a nose !
January 17th, 2013 at 2:46 PM
…or a sip.
January 17th, 2013 at 11:16 AM
Good one! Coffee is definitely wonderful!
January 18th, 2013 at 8:19 PM
Clouds – I agree with you completely, except for that “low-price”.
It seems that coffee is about as expensive as the main meal!
January 16th, 2013 at 9:55 AM
[...] IN-FORM POET WEDNESDAY – MINUTE POETRY [...]
January 16th, 2013 at 10:31 AM
Red
We counted months throughout the year
that brought us here,
then weeks, then days.
We kept our gaze
upon the calendar, this prize
before our eyes,
marked out in red.
It’s often said
that love is blind. But it is strong
as time, as long
as dreaming night
as fast as light.
January 17th, 2013 at 7:37 AM
Love that last stanza!
January 17th, 2013 at 8:10 AM
That’s really beautiful, Andrew!
January 17th, 2013 at 11:17 AM
I love this, Andrew! It is so beautiful!
January 18th, 2013 at 4:22 PM
Have to agree with them all, Andrew — it IS beautiful and I love the last stanza.
January 18th, 2013 at 8:21 PM
I second that.
January 18th, 2013 at 10:39 PM
Beautiful words bring beautiful feelings. Good job, Andrew.
January 16th, 2013 at 2:46 PM
A Short Measure
Hemidemisemiquaver –
What’s to savor?
It’s much too quick,
not quick a tick-
ing of a clock. But what’s a beat?
A note that’s fleet
or fast? A blink?
When played in sync
within the context of a song
it does belong.
So after all,
it’s not so small.
###
January 16th, 2013 at 2:49 PM
I corrected the above poem just a tiny bit. Here’s the updated version:
A Short Measure
Hemidemisemiquaver –
What’s to savor?
It’s much too quick,
not quick a tick-
ing of a clock. So what’s this beat?
A note that’s fleet
or fast? A blink?
When played in sync
within the context of a song
it does belong.
So after all,
it’s not so small.
January 17th, 2013 at 8:08 AM
Grrrr…in the first quatrain, last line, that should be ‘not quite a tick-’
I hate when I make typos.
January 17th, 2013 at 11:19 AM
What a flowing song, RJ. I really like it!
January 18th, 2013 at 8:22 PM
You lost me on the first word……?
January 16th, 2013 at 4:59 PM
I love both of yours, Marie and Walt. a fun form!
News Day
A wren wakes me up every day,
no rain delay—
just chirpy tweets
like whistle bleets.
His voice is bigger than the sky!
I wonder why
in one so small
his notes are tall.
The bluebirds chase him from his limb
to quieten him.
We can’t refuse
his daily news.
January 17th, 2013 at 7:39 AM
!! <3
January 17th, 2013 at 11:20 AM
Aw! I wish a wren would wake me up! Very sweet, Jane!
January 18th, 2013 at 4:24 PM
Awww, sweet, Jane! I’m smiling just imagining all that morning music.
January 16th, 2013 at 5:27 PM
Post-Dental Plea
Mylanta get to work real fast
My stomach pass
Don’t hesitate
This burn won’t wait
No, Tylenol is what I need
For throbbing teeth
A jaw that squawks
At chewing, balks
A dentist trip, swallowed spit
Upset my pit
My jaw, my teeth–
I need relief!
January 17th, 2013 at 11:22 AM
Ugh, Laurie, I feel your pain! Teeth are problems, huh? You captured that really well! Good job!
January 18th, 2013 at 10:40 PM
ooh, I can feel that one, Laurie. Unique subject.
January 19th, 2013 at 9:17 AM
It’s all I can think about, really…
January 16th, 2013 at 10:09 PM
Cathy Smith Bower, the former NC Poet Laureate, wrote a Book of Minutes. I love the form.
January 17th, 2013 at 3:24 PM
I’m afraid that this is the best I can do for this prompt this week. Subject and even rhyming with syllable count wasn’t so much the challenge for me as the blasted meter. I despair at ever being able to hear correct meter, much less write it. Here goes.
Dusting 1-2-3
I will not do this thing I see,
A chore for me
With no reprieve.
I know! A sleeve!
But others would know if I left
Tracks oddly deft
In wordy dust clumps
And tell–the chumps.
When I see finger trails, I know
My inside snow
Must disappear,
Reveal veneer.
January 18th, 2013 at 8:01 AM
I hear ya, Clauds!! Loved this… delightful… !!
January 18th, 2013 at 9:16 AM
Thanks, Hen. I’m glad to know that I’m not the only one that doesn’t come up to the meter.
January 18th, 2013 at 8:41 AM
Love the subject matter for this form, Clauds. So creative and fun! Your first and third stanzas are in perfect meter. Your second needs some tweaking.
SECOND STANZA:
The first line may be read in iamb meter, but it forces us to read in an unnatural speaking cadence. In order to read it in iamb, we would be saying it like this:
But OTHers WOULD know IF i LEFT. An example of our natural speaking cadence might be: But OTHers would KNOW if i LEFT.
Your second line is perfect.
Your third line has five syllables instead of four.
Your fourth line is perfect.
All-in-all, it’s a fun poem done very creatively. If you want it to be a true Minute poem, it needs only a little tweaking. If you want to keep it “as is,” or rewrite it in a different form (or no form), I think you have a great little poem here!
Marie
January 18th, 2013 at 8:46 AM
As they say in the youtube video clip I posted up above, iamb is the meter of our heart beat.
(ta-TUM ta-TUM ta-TUM ta-TUM ta-TUM ….)
Here is the url again, if you missed it:
Iambic pentameter youtube url:
meg
January 18th, 2013 at 9:21 AM
Thank you for letting me know where it fell apart. I’ll have to work on it and see if I can come up with changes that work. I’ve never been able to do meter correctly, regardless of how many times I work at it. My conscious mind just doesn’t recognize it, I guess.
I appreaciate the assist. We’ll see what I can do.
January 18th, 2013 at 6:50 PM
I really like this, Clauds! In spite of the odd meter.😉
January 18th, 2013 at 7:54 PM
Thanks, Erin. I’m glad. One of these day’s I’ll figure out what to do with it.
January 18th, 2013 at 8:26 PM
Your poetic mind, subject and words are delightful.
January 19th, 2013 at 2:06 AM
That’s so sweet, Marjory. Thank you.
January 17th, 2013 at 3:49 PM
[...] In-form Poet Wednesday – Minute Poetry (poeticbloomings.com) [...]
January 17th, 2013 at 9:06 PM
Heating Up
I thought he’d stick around a while.
He made me smile.
His sweet appeal
and charm seemed real.
In truth, he had an icy mien
quite unforeseen.
The heat I felt
caused him to melt.
I never dreamed he’d fall so soon.
It made me swoon.
I didn’t know
he was just snow.
January 18th, 2013 at 8:02 AM
!!
!!
January 18th, 2013 at 4:30 PM
You can find his photo here, Hen: http://wanponpopix.blogspot.com/2013/01/heating-up.html
January 22nd, 2013 at 3:06 AM
Ohh… seeing that he fell on his face just broke my heart… ! I just wanna pick him up and put him back together…
January 18th, 2013 at 6:51 PM
Aw! That’s sad…
January 19th, 2013 at 3:36 PM
It is sad, but he’ll be back — I promise.
January 18th, 2013 at 8:27 PM
I am IN LOVE with your little SNOWMAN, and weep at his Melt-down. Thank you for sharing a bit of his short life with us.
January 19th, 2013 at 3:37 PM
Thanks, Marjory — so glad you enjoyed him. I love him too! I (and the birdies) enjoy his company from time to time.
January 18th, 2013 at 10:41 PM
This is wonderful!
January 18th, 2013 at 11:11 AM
Some of you may have read my strange story on Facebook about a buggy visit. I wrote a Minute poem kind of about it…
A Visit from a Stinkbug
Oh stinkbug, how did you arrive?
Did you sky dive
onto my desk?
So Kafkaesque.
Well, not exactly, but you are
a bit bizarre.
Still, I won’t kill
(I never will)
you. Rather, I will set you free.
Please find a tree
or other place
like outer space.
###
January 18th, 2013 at 4:29 PM
LOL Like this one too, RJ.
January 18th, 2013 at 8:28 PM
January 22nd, 2013 at 3:09 AM
Ha, ha… so many landed on my desk this year!
January 18th, 2013 at 2:13 PM
Oh, Baby
At first she could not tell that he
was purity,
a virgin still
her new beau, Bill.
How did he come to reach this age
a snow white page
devoid of ink,
and in the pink?
I do intend to teach him well.
So glad I fell
for someone who
views sex as new.
January 18th, 2013 at 4:31 PM
LOL Enjoy!
January 18th, 2013 at 10:41 PM
Thanks, Pamela.
January 18th, 2013 at 8:30 PM
January 18th, 2013 at 8:49 PM
And you can teach him just the way you like-no bad habits to break!
January 18th, 2013 at 10:42 PM
If only.
January 18th, 2013 at 11:41 PM
Glad I made you smile.
January 18th, 2013 at 8:51 PM
This was fun! As you can see from the poem, I’m never one of the first to post!
Don’t Rush Me:
I just can’t seem to write on cue
Too hard to do
I seem to lose
My fickle muse
I read a prompt; my mind goes blank
May I be frank?
When I can’t think
My ideas stink!
Sometimes I’ll try to write in form
Results lukewarm
I need more time
To be sublime!
January 18th, 2013 at 9:13 PM
*giggle* I’m right there with you, lolamouse!
January 22nd, 2013 at 3:11 AM
!!
January 18th, 2013 at 10:42 PM
My hat is off to you both, Marie and Walt. Meter is definitely not my thing, but you two wrote wonderful poems.
January 19th, 2013 at 1:46 AM
The Sea
Her folds of foamy green she pulls,
From rocky shoals
With weary arms,
Her fading charms.
About her in her last despair,
She droops her hair,
Sheds salty tears
To calm her fears,
And on the sand she softly sighs,
She moans and dies,
A wave of blue
To form anew.
January 22nd, 2013 at 3:14 AM
<3!!
January 19th, 2013 at 6:47 PM
What’s With the Cats?
They all have cats I’m telling you,
It’s all so true
I know that now
I’ll tell you how.
Take facebook as a point of view’
The posts are few
Without a cat
I smell a rat!
I’m out numbered four cats to one,
That’s me undone
I love the pups
That’s it, hands up.
January 22nd, 2013 at 3:16 AM
“… I love the pups…”
!!