How to Write a Pantoum

The pantoum is a six-century-old Malaysian form of poem that was popularized by Europeans in the 1800s. Possessing a cyclical, songlike quality, the pantoum continues to be used by contemporary poets. These steps will show you how to write your own pantoum.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Writing materials

1. Read some examples of pantoums. They may provide ideas for you to write about, and they can help you visualize the formal rules you want to follow. Check the Resources section for one example.
2. Write your first stanza. It should consist of four lines.
3. The first line of your next stanza uses the second line of your previous stanza. The third line of your second stanza uses the fourth line of your previous stanza. To help clarify, let's say your first stanza's lines are numbered 1, 2, 3 and 4. Your second stanza would be numbered 2, 5, 4 and 6. Repeat this step for every stanza that follows except for your final stanza.
4. For the first line in your final stanza, use the second line of your previous stanza. The second line of your final stanza is the third line of the very first stanza. Your final stanza's third line should come from the final line in your previous stanza, and the final line of your poem should be the same as the very first line in your poem.
5. Therefore, a four-stanza pantoum's lines would be numbered like this:
   1, 2, 3, 4
   2, 5, 4, 6
   5, 7, 6, 8
   7, 3, 8, 1

Tips & Warnings

• It's up to you how strictly you want to follow the standard pantoum form. Some poets add a rhyme scheme, and others make changes to the final stanza. You might also choose to use similar lines instead of exact repetitions.