“Spring,” A Diatelle

Posted on by Colleen M. Chesebro

For Tanka Tuesday – I tried the Diatelle… finally! End rhymes have never been my favorite. I prefer the subtleness of haiku or tanka with the revelation that grabs you! Truthfully, I found it difficult to find the right word, as the rhyme dictated my choices. However, I enjoyed the form and will work with it further.

The Diatelle is a fun, syllable counting form like the etheree with a twist. The syllable structure of the diatelle is as follows: 1/2/3/4/6/8/10/12/10/8/6/4/3/2/1, but unlike an etheree, has a set rhyme pattern of abbcbccaccbcbba. This poetry form may be written on any subject matter and looks best center aligned in a diamond shape.

Image by InspiredImages from Pixabay

“Spring”

spring
sunlight
grows in might
darkness recedes
old winter wind’s harsh bite
melts the last snow airing new weeds
yellow heads releasing their fluffy seeds
who like the scarlet cardinal have taken wing
saffron forsythia blossoms now freed
tumble gently like star shine beads
new life, a welcome sight
as marsh hares breed
plants take heed
life’s creed—
spring

©2021 Colleen M. Chesebro

Join me every Tuesday on wordcraftpoetry.com for the #TankaTuesday Syllabic Poetry Challenge.

52 thoughts on ““Spring,” A Diatelle”

    1. Thank you! It’s a challenge to find the right word that rhymes at the right time. LOL! It was fun to try. I’ll work with it some more. I think if you can find words that have many rhyming words, it’s easier. ❤

      Liked by 2 people

  4. Beautiful, Colleen. It’s quite a difficult form, but you’ve mastered it! Spring, I love it! 💗 Thank you for pushing us forward to try something new.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. I loooove this poem Colleen. I don’t use too much rhyme but I always find a rhythm and one or two rhymes.
    I just feel like if poetry had four cornerstones, rhyme is definitely one of them.
    I sometimes wonder why quite a number of people here don’t like it, even you at times Colleen 😅
    A bit of it here and there is so classically refreshing.

    And in rhyme forms, totally justifiable like this diatelle.
    I like that you didn’t just rhyme for the sake. It still carried depth❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Jude. Rhyming poetry has never been my thing. It always feel contrived to me. I also find the rhyming words limit the meaning. Japanese poetry has always spoken to me. When written correctly, the message is much more subtle. But, some poets like you, have mastered the end rhyme. Your poetry never sounds forced to me. So, write on, my friend! If rhyming works for you that’s fabulous. I’ll have a few more optional forms for you to choose from. ❤️❤️❤️

      Like

      1. Yeah, I understand. I did like seeing this, outside your comfort zone once in a while.
        I liked it😃🌷

        Liked by 1 person

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  12. It may be a hard form… but you made it look easy.
    We are just at 32 F at the moment. Though spring is showing signs of arriving…
    🌻🌼🌷🥀🍀

    Liked by 1 person

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  16. Rhymes are not great all the time
    But, sometimes, those rhymes are just fine
    I write something good
    (Or wish that I could)
    At least I can say it’s all mine

    Rock on, poetess! ❤

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  20. A wonderful poem, Colleen! The result is so amazing, but the metrics remember me on math lessons. 😉 To get something like that done, I need more than just divine inspiration! Lol Have a beautiful weekend! Michael

    Liked by 1 person

      1. Hi Colleen! Thats true, but with your profession no problem. Thank you for sharing. I have learned another metrics, and hope sometimes i will remember for a longer time. Enjoy your weekend! Michael

        Liked by 1 person

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