I skidded into June without even tapping the brakes. Time seems to slip through my fingers the further I travel down the road. I decided to take a pit stop at the poetic form called a Dansa. This style of poetry, known as an Occitan (the official language of Catalonia) form with no set meter. This lyrical poetry style comes from the Occitan words for “to dance.” I called this Dansa Poem To be a Lioness. I also used the Random line generator to spark my creativity. The generator’s line suggested, “I always wanted to be a lioness.”
Guidelines for writing a Dansa Poem and To be a Lioness
*The opening line of the first stanza is the final line of every stanza
*Rhyme scheme in the opening stanza: AbbaA (Capitol represents the refrain
*Rhyme scheme in the other stanzas: bbaA
There are no other rules.
Note: I will also be adding Black Out Poems as we go along the way. I plan to keep using this style until the book I’m using runs out of pages for me to play with to create these unique and visual poems. I’m excited about jogging down this road.
To be a Lioness I always wanted to be a lioness But I was too afraid to growl Sounding more like a screech owl Still, I have to confess I always wanted to be a lioness I sometimes manage to work up a howl While on my furry face, wear a scowl When everyone knows I’m harmless I always wanted to be a lioness I look so playful as I prance and prowl When it comes to roaring, I throw in the towel It all seems so dreadful and pointless I always wanted to be a lioness
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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