This month I challenged my writing partners, the Sunday Night Swaggers, to write zeno poems. This fun form was created by J. Patrick Lewis and is based on a mathematical sequence of 8,4,2,1,4,2,1,4,2,1 with each 1 syllable line rhyming. This is one of my favorite forms to use with children. The syllable count is doable, and there’s the added challenge of rhyme.
Even though the temperature hasn’t changed (we have highs in the mid 90’s still.), the signs of fall are here: shorter days, browning cypress, and high sugarcane.
Sugarcane is taller than me.
Margaret Simon, draft
Tangled green stalks
above
rise
reaching for fall’s
azure
skies
field of beauty
in my
eyes.
Autumn sounds like a sad songbird
Margaret Simon, draft
singing under
grapevine
shade
where blossoms from
springtime
fade
empty bird’s nest
hidden
grayed.
Visit other Sunday Night Swaggers Posts:
Catherine Flynn: Reading to the Core
Molly Hogan: Nix the Comfort Zone
Heidi Mordhorst: My Juicy Little Universe
Linda Mitchell: A Word Edgewise
Reflections on the Teche 
“reaching for fall’s azure” soooooo pretty. Autumn sounds like a sad songbird caught the nostalgic me. I think writing helps me capture the moments I hate losing. Lovely poems.
BTW, I didn’t find this challenge easy! Thanks for helping me stretch and grow.
These are wonderful, Margaret! I especially like the poignant feel of that last one with “empty bird’s nest
hidden
grayed.” Thanks for the challenge–I struggled but persevered! I’m determined to continue to work on a few of my “discards” and make something of them. Thanks for inspiring seeds for future poems!
Margaret, your fall is very much like ours… lots of brown this year as we are in a drought. Even that is a miracle, isn’t it? Thank you for your zenos, esp. the mention of sugarcane, which takes me back to my Louisiana days! xo
Since I have never seen sugarcane fields, I can only imagine them from your words and photo. I would love to see a revised copy of your zenos if you work on them. I like them at this point. You have the form and the rhyme with lovely descriptions.
Love what you did with rhyme in both, Margaret. “hidden, grayed” is such a great ending, poignant reminder of the season.
I can’t imagine such temperatures in fall! We’re definitely into chilly weather here – sweaters and boots and umbrellas, my favourite time of year.
This was a fun challenge! You have wonderful imagery in both of these, Margaret. I especially love those “azure skies” and the hidden bird’s nest.
Lovely recycling of the songbird imagery and solemness throughout your second poem, thanks Margaret.
High sugarcane as a sign of fall. That one’s new to me!
These both have such a sense of place. Love that!
Your first poem introduced me to a place I’ve never seen or imagined, whereas your second reminds me of my hometown. We have grapevines and wineries aplenty!
I’m loving all the zeno’s your Sunday Night Swaggers are showing off today. I’ve found myself playing with this format in my head. (I do love anything math related)
These welcome fall so beautifully! I am looking forward to fall (and hopefully the last of the 90-degree days until next summer).