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 revolves to 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 usually has eight syllables per line. It does not have to be iambic, or follow a specific rhyme scheme.

MARIE ELENA’S TRY

O, FOR ASSURANCE OF THINGS NOT SEEN

Lord, help us in our unbelief
When doubts and worries overflow
And those we love are filled with grief
Lord, help us trust You even so.

Through puzzlement and turmoil’s clutch
Lord, help us in our unbelief
When we can’t feel Your healing touch
Let faith adorn our life’s motif.

When there’s no sign of pain’s relief
Though friends may turn their hearts away
Lord, help us in our unbelief
Grant strength in need, O Lord we pray.

For though You’re there to help us cope
Suspicion creeps in like a thief
To shake our faith, and steal our hope.
Lord, help us in our unbelief.

WALT’S TURN AT QUATERN

IN A POET’S HEART IS BEAUTY

In a poet’s heart is beauty,
it is through a sense of duty
that a true poet will express
what all poetic hearts possess.

This fact one cannot refute, see;
in a poet’s heart is beauty.
Romantic words to rend his soul,
the feelings wrought will not control

the depth of expression within.
To deny this muse is a sin.
In a poet’s heart is beauty.
Lightness of words, sad or moody,

bring delight to such expression.
They lift souls from their depression
never sounding harsh or haughty,
in a poet’s heart is beauty.