I wanted to find some interesting styles of poetry for 2022. Metered poetry has always been a challenge for me. I discovered I subconsciously avoided the challenge of dabbling in this particular writing pattern. This year I decided to spread my wings and fly into the face of the storm. I stumbled across the Aquarian by accident and thought it might be interesting to play with this metered style during the last part of January and the entire month of February. This I will call The Old Man.
I am discovering this style of poetry is harder than it first appeared. You only have to develop fourteen syllables for each stanza, but sometimes you want to write more. Plus, I find the constant counting of the syllables distracting. I also have to fight the urge to create rhythms. These short poems have gotten darker, and I am not sure why. Maybe it’s caused by the dark winter or all the conflicting messages we get these days. There is one thing for sure. They are filled with a touch of sadness.
About the Aquarian
Maris Mazz created this metered style of poetry.
Each stanza has lines of 2/4/6/2 syllables. They can have any number of stanzas creating multiples of 4 lines. They aren’t supposed to rhythm at all.
This one I will call The Old Man
The Old Man The old Man is sitting In the hardback wood chair Crying Dry tears Of silent guilt Over things that can’t be Ever change Weeping Useless moans of Longing for those who went Away Looking Out upon the snow Covered winter white ground He knows He is Will rest there soon Cold and alone just like The ones Who went Before him did The dirt swallowed them all Thirsty For kin And company Sleep the sleep of the dead Until All is Finished on The resurrection Day Morning Dawning With the bright sun Of glory and bringing life To death
Who is Molly Shea?
Molly Shea is an accomplished fictional short story writer from Indiana who writes short stories and novels about a fictional town called Tecumseh. To read more of her short stories and adventures, click here.
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