The MEMENTO, created by Emily Romano, is a poem about a holiday or an anniversary of some sort. It consists of two six-line stanzas as follows:
Line 1: 8 syllables
Line 2: 6 syllables
Line 3: 2 syllables
Line 4: 8 syllables
Line 5: 6 syllables
Line 6: 2 syllables
Repeat the above pattern for the second stanza.
The rhyme scheme is: a/b/c/a/b/c for each of the two stanzas.
More Information/Examples: Memento Poetry at Shadow Poetry
MARIE ELENA’S MEMENTO:
“Do This in Remembrance of Me”
As oft I take the wine and bread Recall the cross for me He bore Rejoicing He’s no longer dead, The risen Christ that we Adore. How wicked is the human race How deep the hollow of Man’s fall. The Author of redeeming grace Bestows His utmost love For all.© Copyright Marie Elena Good – 2013
WALT’S MEMENTO:
YOU’RE ONLY AS OLD AS YOU FEEL
Some days, you are full of fire,
ready for what life brings.
You stand
fanning the flames of that pyre
until those embers sing!
And then
some days you just get a raw deal,
too much life to handle;
to give.
You’re only as old as you feel.
So blow out the candles
and live!
© Copyright Walter J. Wojtanik – 2013
January 30th, 2013 at 12:31 AM
Marie, that’s the first thing I thought of! You’ve done a terrific job! You too, Walt!
January 30th, 2013 at 1:10 AM
I’ll Never Forget
Five years since, I remember still,
That day, and I still cry
Every
Day you’re not here, because I will
Not forget, though I’ll try
Maybe.
January 30th, 2013 at 1:11 AM
Oh two stanzas? Sheesh, I’ll be back!
January 30th, 2013 at 1:32 AM
I’ll Never Forget (amended)
Five years since, I remember still,
That day, and I still cry
Every
Day you’re not here, because I will
Not forget, though I’ll try
Maybe.
But I can’t get you out of my heart
Or my head, I still love
You, Cam.
And even though we had to part,
I sure you can still love;
I am!
January 30th, 2013 at 1:53 AM
Good one, Erin. And so fast, too.
January 30th, 2013 at 5:09 AM
Sad,
January 31st, 2013 at 4:36 AM
<3
January 31st, 2013 at 4:25 PM
Thanks guys! ❤
January 30th, 2013 at 1:52 AM
Marvelous examples, Marie and Walt. This might take me a few tries to get it right. Thank the powers that be, there are no meters for me.
January 31st, 2013 at 4:35 AM
January 30th, 2013 at 5:10 AM
Memento
Posted on January 30, 2013 by vivinfrance
The day that I was seventy-five
was not a happy one
at all
I was still glad to be alive
although I had no fun
at all.
Confined to bed in hospital
is after all no place
for fun
but I was philosophical
put on a happy face
for fun.
January 31st, 2013 at 4:35 AM
You made the best of it, Viv… it is really all that we can do each day… I hope that you are well!
January 31st, 2013 at 4:27 PM
Oh, I hope you’re okay now!
January 30th, 2013 at 5:50 AM
Oh, Loved both, for different reasons!
January 30th, 2013 at 8:15 AM
Our dear, dearest Walt and Marie,
You have both gently shown
The way
To living our moments fully
In spite of life’s unknown
Each day
Redeeming love and saving grace
Acceptance in the will
Of Now
Will teach us daily to embrace
The tides of good or ill
That blow
January 31st, 2013 at 4:33 AM
“…To living our moments fully…” <3!!
January 31st, 2013 at 4:28 PM
Yes! So true, Janet! They’ve done a lot for us. Nice poem!
January 30th, 2013 at 8:51 AM
2013
Valentine written completely,
reservations all made,
ready,
for loving and doting sweetly,
to feel the gaze of my
steady.
There’s no better time for a poem
than Valentine’s Day, we
are sure.
There’s no other place than our home,
no better place to be,
so pure.
January 31st, 2013 at 4:31 AM
!!!!! <3 !!
January 31st, 2013 at 4:29 PM
Aw! This is so sweet, Daniel! I love Valentine’s Day!
January 30th, 2013 at 8:53 AM
I guess I’m still stuck on the topic of birds.
Motivation
Fat pigeons dot the shaded park.
They search for seed and grain,
And feed.
Often besieged by a dog’s bark,
They snub it in the main,
From greed.
We humans can be stubborn, too,
Lasting through resistance
Of foes.
It’s what necessity can do,
Inspiring persistence
Which grows.
January 30th, 2013 at 8:57 AM
Wow Connie, well spoken:) I’m hoping to ‘go to the birds’ today! Hoping, but sometimes life stands in my way;)
January 31st, 2013 at 4:30 PM
Well done, Connie!
January 30th, 2013 at 8:56 AM
Conception of Misconception
In lack of honest, uttered word
Or the ineptness of
Their mien
In truths too seldom breathed or heard
Lost somewhere in self-love
Between
…the moment when I should have said
Those words that I chose not
To say
Before assumptions in your head
Consume your misled thought
Today
January 31st, 2013 at 4:29 AM
“…the moment when I should have said…” Can stay with us for a Lifetime…
January 31st, 2013 at 3:06 PM
Yes, it can…
January 31st, 2013 at 4:31 PM
Oh, I know what you mean… Well put, Janet!
January 30th, 2013 at 12:16 PM
The 10th Day of Each Month~A Lesson in Life
This date, it comes and goes with time
Yet, I remain in awe
of it
I wonder, Will there come a time
when I cannot recall
of it?
This does not mean that I’ll forget
In life we never do,
Only…
That of this thought, I don’t regret,
…that sweet mirage of you…
…Only…?
January 31st, 2013 at 4:32 PM
Beautiful…and sad.
February 1st, 2013 at 8:00 AM
<3… such is Life… Thank you, Erin.
January 30th, 2013 at 2:16 PM
CHRISTMAS MOMENTO
Warm laughter shared in joy that day
I saved in memory,
Christmas
Of my past. Never far away,
You made us feel carefree.
What bliss!
Our parents sent us out to play,
Then decorate the tree.
I miss
Us at table. Heads bowed, we prayed.
Christmas, to you from me:
A kiss!
#
(C) 2008 Salvatore Buttaci
January 31st, 2013 at 4:26 AM
How sweet…
January 31st, 2013 at 4:33 PM
So sweet, Sal!
January 30th, 2013 at 2:51 PM
First Bloom
Bright stars burst through the slush and snow,
their petals stretch like rays
of light;
a sweet surprise unfurls. We know
new warmth on coldest days,
delight.
In every frozen heart there lies
a flower in the bud
for us;
we wear faith shining from our eyes
to find beauty in mud—
crocus
January 31st, 2013 at 4:25 AM
Such a sweet surprise, aren’t they…
January 31st, 2013 at 4:34 PM
This is beautiful! Just like those tiny buds. Thanks for the pretty image, Jane!
January 30th, 2013 at 3:27 PM
POET’S DAY (Piss Off Early, Tomorrow’s Saturday)
Fridays are made for poets who
put their notebooks aside
and hit
the open mic wooing, pursu-
-ing glory nationwide.
Misfits,
creatures of the night vying for
your attention; women
and girls.
Men, leaving it all on the floor.
Us, leaving our mark on
the world.
January 30th, 2013 at 4:00 PM
Ode to ‘In-Form Wednesdays’
New forms give me quite the challenge,
the syllables today
are king.
Adding to the counter-challenge,
rhymes still needed to say
the thing.
Introducing new dance tempos
often make me stumble
and fall.
I’d much rather be writing prose
so as not to bumble
it all.
Ellen Knight 1.30.13
January 31st, 2013 at 4:23 AM
January 30th, 2013 at 4:15 PM
Don’t Blow Out the Candles
Forever’s exactly how long
you want the cake to last.
Icing
on the cake is not your swan song.
Stop looking to the past.
Spicing
things up with a dash vanilla,
nutmeg or ginger can
convince
you you’re The Most Happy Fella
or maybe Peter Pan,
long since.
###
January 31st, 2013 at 4:35 PM
Lovely, RJ!
January 30th, 2013 at 4:28 PM
[...] Poetic Bloomings-In Form Wednesday [...]
January 30th, 2013 at 4:29 PM
Tapping the Reserves
Released beneath yesterday’s scree,
chance and hope to invest;
faith’s born.
Life’s trials and burden’s a key,
call to draw near for rest-
new morn.
Each day’s an anniversary,
a promise to yourself,
feel Loved.
From the depths of deep galaxy
there’s an unending wealth
above.
Copyright © Hannah Gosselin 2013
January 30th, 2013 at 5:07 PM
Love this, Hannah! Beautiful!
January 30th, 2013 at 6:12 PM
Thank you!! ♥
January 31st, 2013 at 4:22 AM
Yes…
January 30th, 2013 at 4:29 PM
Such beautiful examples here!! Excellent form…thank you!
January 30th, 2013 at 8:05 PM
This was a tricky one for me, though I’m not sure why. I hope I’ve done it correctly. I’ll be back to comment on all poems from Sunday through today.
Down by the Seashore
Beaches washed with soft blue waters,
Skies screeching with sea birds;
Sunshine.
Never a comber who falters,
Even at sea’s foam curds,
Surf line.
Toes separated by warm sand
Squirm, feeling Earth’s wet breast
Beneath,
Wondering if ever my hand
could make a green wave-pressed
sea wreath.
January 31st, 2013 at 4:21 AM
Oh, Lovely… <3!!
January 31st, 2013 at 12:27 PM
Thanks, Hen. Glad you liked it.
February 1st, 2013 at 7:57 AM
!
January 31st, 2013 at 4:36 PM
So pretty! The beach is always a good place to find inspiration…
January 31st, 2013 at 8:09 PM
Thanks, Erin. I think the beach is a good place to find many things, including one’s own thoughts and inner peace. Glad you liked it.
January 30th, 2013 at 9:39 PM
[...] In-form Poet Wednesday – Memento (poeticbloomings.com) [...]
January 30th, 2013 at 10:18 PM
So often I forget to tell you, Marie and Walt, what fine poems you write to be an example to us. You’re both just the bees’ knees, the cats’ whiskers, writers of wondrous things. This one I posted today at PA, using your memento form.
Almost Forever
Science spoils poetry, you say,
stars sequinning the night.
Romance
forever frightens facts away—
stars die and lose their light
bright glance.
Lie back and watch the heavens sift
stars, gaze into the face
above.
Eons reflected feel like gift,
already gone, no trace,
but love.
January 31st, 2013 at 4:19 AM
“Romance/forever frightens facts away–…”
!
January 30th, 2013 at 10:47 PM
One more. These are almost as addictive as shadorma.
The Beast Within
“That kind of pain feels like forever.” Mary Craver
Deep suffering helps us to know
pain has its own body
fierce beast
its claws and gnaws relentless, slow
its power sharp, godly
fear’s feast
Sometimes when it sleeps, we are free
to tiptoe through our mind
light breath
and whisper through our teeth that we
have hope to leave behind
grim death
January 31st, 2013 at 4:17 AM
“…pain has its own body…” words to ponder…
January 30th, 2013 at 11:26 PM
Six tries on this one, and I’m not liking it!
Christmas And Uncle Bill
One Christmas day remains ingrained,
driving home, L.IE.
in snow.
Poor Dad at wheel did not complain.
Far as the eyes could see,
slo-mo.
Uncle Bill in passenger seat,
grabs his stomach in pain,
and groans.
Four hours passed, the trip complete.
The ER nurse exclaimed,
gall stones.
January 31st, 2013 at 4:14 AM
Hi Sara… I also worked on mine for hours! I hope Uncle Bill was okay after his diagnosis.
January 31st, 2013 at 3:46 PM
He was, thanks.
January 31st, 2013 at 4:38 PM
Oh terrible! No wonder you remember so well!
January 31st, 2013 at 4:06 AM
I’d never heard of this form. Thanks!
January 31st, 2013 at 9:51 AM
Boo
When I first met you, well, I thought,
he’s kinda cute. Wonder
if he
might like me. Or, uh, perhaps not.
Scared I’d make a blunder
(or flee)
I forced myself to reach, to touch…
it was destiny not
to fail.
Fear would no longer be a crutch.
Response? You wagged (a lot!)
your tail.
###
(BooBoo is my 8 1/2 month old puppy. ♥)
January 31st, 2013 at 4:39 PM
How cute! I am dying to get a puppy!
February 1st, 2013 at 7:56 AM
!!!
!!
January 31st, 2013 at 9:21 PM
“The Day that you were Born”
Up the hospital steps he flies!
the day that you were born:
cleats burst!
Beneath his baseball cap, he sighs…
sees you breathe on your own;
feet first!
Clanging down hospital hallway
chew tobacco spitting
waddles
grins your father from his ball-play,
ear-to-ear; my fist would
throttle!
January 31st, 2013 at 9:24 PM
Today is my son, Clint Casey’s birthday and the above is a true story.
February 1st, 2013 at 7:55 AM
Aww… so Sweet!! Happy Birthday, Clint Casey!!
!!
February 1st, 2013 at 10:21 AM
Mementos
Within a chest there is a box
with love letters folded
and tied.
They represent the building blocks
of how our loved molded
this ride.
We celebrate on any day
the love that quickly grew
inside.
Unfolding like a spring bouquet
even as the years flew,
we glide.
February 6th, 2013 at 9:40 AM
<3
February 7th, 2013 at 6:53 PM
HOO – HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO POST OR COMMENT – So this is a surprise to me that the machine is cooperating. Computers can flog the brain. Hopefully (SOON) my computer and I will get back in sink. ‘Till then, I just read and enjoy. Great poeming in the garden.
February 13th, 2013 at 2:38 PM
[...] In-form Poet Wednesday – Memento (poeticbloomings.com) [...]
February 14th, 2013 at 8:13 AM
Better late than never! Here’s my offering — for Valentine’s Day!
Valentine’s Day (a memento)
It’s time again to celebrate:
kisses, hugs, hearts, roses,
cupid.
Get on board before it’s too late,
(unless you suppose it’s
stupid.)
But, if you have an open mind,
(and you don’t mind some flack),
my friend:
send love out to the world. Be kind.
You’ll find it coming back
again.
~ ~ ~
And a link to my blog — where my Valentine’s mini-cards (inspired by 14 Words for Valentine’s Day) can also be found:
http://wanponpopix.blogspot.com/2013/02/valentines-day-memento.html