How to Write a Kyrielle

A traditional poetic form of French origin, a kyrielle is a poem of any length, divided into quatrains containing eight-syllable lines, with each quatrain ending in a refrain. The rhyme scheme is optional and entirely up to the poet.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dictionaries
• Rhyming Dictionaries
• Thesauri

1. Consider the subject matter that you wish to write about. Deciding on a refrain before writing the poem will usually help the poem take shape.

2. Write a quatrain with lines containing eight syllables each and any rhyme scheme you like.

3. Skip a line between quatrains.

4. Write three lines containing eight syllables each.

5. Use the last line of the first quatrain as the last line of this quatrain.

6. Repeat steps 3, 4 and 5 as desired.

7. Revise as needed.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider using a refrain that could be read different ways. Begin the poem suggesting one meaning and then end with the other.
• Although a lot of people suggest finding a quiet place to write, sometimes the best place to write is at ground zero. Writing a poem about a subway station when you're actually at a subway station, for example, will probably produce a much different poem than one written in a creative bunker.
• Don't let peers who claim to be poets discourage you from using poetic forms. When you hear a poet say how much he or she dislikes writing in form, remember that a great artist sees the opportunities in every canvas, regardless of shape or size. A poor artist sees only the limitations.