Serpent’s tail

This is what I am calling this poetry form until someone shows me that it already exists and has another name.

Painting ©Vanimmerseel

kopie_van_alle_foto_werk_samen_027

Becalmed on this sea,

we watch the sky for cloudfall,

stalled and immobile,

while hands clasp tight.

Night comes and no wind blows,

flows the tide into the dawn.

Born again in sunlight,

flight springs,

wings spread to fly,

sky calls us home.

Foam-flecked, we rise and find

behind is left all harm,

becalmed on this sea.

Published by

Jane Dougherty

I used to do lots of things I didn't much enjoy. Now I am officially a writer. It's what I always wanted to be.

33 thoughts on “Serpent’s tail”

    1. Easy. Any line length, no set number of lines and no meter. To make the serpent, the last word of each line rhymes with the first word of the following line with the last line being the same as the first, so the serpent eats its own tail. The last part is the tricky bit.

      Reply

    1. Thank you, Michelle! It’s a challenge, but not such a difficult one when you think of how many times a rhyme springs to mind involuntarily. This form allows you to use the word immediately to begin the next line.

      Reply

  6. The Serpents Tail

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    Line being the key word, I enjoy that, next time, like yours, my serpent will weave down the page.

    Reply

      1. Have done, going to publish on poetry soup. Here an interesting observation, I have published several of my epanalepsis poems on that site, and they have never directly recognised them, yet I googled epanalepsis (again) yesterday, checking to see if anybody else had come up with ided, this is what I found: My Poems, not complaining, just waiting for them to add it to their list of forms. Anyway I am going to publish both your forms the ‘Serpent’s Tail’, and ‘Tree Squared’; of course crediting you with the invention/creation of both.

      2. I sent the Serpent’s Tail to a couple of those sites that claim they publish new forms and have a contact form to submit new poetry forms. They never even acknowledged, so I wonder if you have to be card carrying union member or something first.

      3. Its in the small print with P. S. That they can publish ones poetry crediting the authors, but not for monetary gain. I am just annoyed that they didn’t have the courtesy to give a heads up!

      5. In a sense they replied, but if I had not of been checking for other poems of that ilk, (and I haven’t, not pre me), then I would of been none the wiser, good manners, you know the saying I’m sure?

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    1. I’m glad you like it! I’ve had several people saying they’d give it a go but I’m not sure that they ever did. It isn’t difficult if you like rhymes. The trickiest part is linking up the last and first words. If you do write one, be sure to let me know.

      Reply
  10. Pingback: Serpent’s Tail Poem: my first attempt at it – EluminoraCreations

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