This week I started following Denise Krebs’ blog, Dare to Care. We met each other virtually through blogging. She introduced me to a poetry form called 4×4. Here are the rules copied from her post:
- 4 syllables in each line
- 4 lines in each stanza
- 4 stanzas
- 4 times repeating a refrain line–line 1 in the first stanza, line 2 in the second stanza, line 3 in the third stanza, and line 4 in the fourth stanza.
- Bonus: 4 syllables in the title
- No restrictions on subject, rhyme, or meter.
It’s a fun form to play with. I’ve combined it with using quotes or a stolen line as the repeated line. I have to admit this form has been tough for students to use. While teaching it to kids, I’ve written a few poem drafts this week. Here are two that I don’t hate.
Awareness is
everything we
need to know to
stand for something.
Don’t fall for it.
Awareness is
looking deeply
into your soul.Answers will come
to questions asked.
Awareness is
waiting for you.No choice ever
Margaret Simon, draft
is possible
until you know
awareness is.
Hang on to love.
Find someone who
cares for you most,
holds you in trust.Trust can be hard.
Hang on to love
anyway, ’cause
you matter, too.When hearts are turned
to the sad news,
hang on to love
to get you through.Not all sparkles
Margaret Simon, draft
or shiny smiles,
for steady hands
hang on to love.
Last summer I wrote with the National Writing Project during a virtual writing marathon. My poem, Muses, is published in their online journal here.
Chloe wrote a 4×4 poem and read it on a Flipgrid video:
Reflections on the Teche 
It does seem to be a challenge but you made it seem easy, Margaret. I like the way you created such good thoughts at the end of both, like “for steady hands
hang on to love.” Have a lovely weekend!
Dear Margaret, congratulations on the publication of your poem! I do like to play with a moving refrain, but wow the 4 syllable sure hems one in! Great job with your efforts. I love the reassurance/promise of “Awareness is/ waiting for you.” Thank you! xo
Message for Chloe: you matter! And you are a poet! Thank you for inspiring me to “stand up today.” Brava!
Your poems with this new 4 x4 form feel like songs, especially the second one, and I love the last stanza in it! Congratulations on your poem MUSES, and the intriguing places your’e finding her,
“in the fractal face
of a sunflower in bloom”
And the humor in the end,
“Sometimes, I step on them
by mistake.
Thanks also for sharing Chloe’s powerful poem and reading–such a rich post!
This looks like something I would like to try. Such sweet messages in your poems. Thanks for sharing.
Margaret, this is so awesome! I’m glad you wrote some 4 x 4 poems. Awareness is… and “Hang on to love” are such powerful messages. I especially like how you used hang on to love in the fourth stanza, steady hands, even during tough times, hanging on to love. So wonderful.
And Chloe, you did a lovely job! Rhyming, plus keeping track of all the other requirements in your 4×4. I love the refrain “Stand up today.”
Margaret, congratulations on your poem, Muses.
“Sometimes, I step on them
by mistake. – Great lines
I think the 4 x 4 might be tricking but I will try it. I think your drafts work well and would love to hear how your students do.
oooooh, I do love a new form! You give me a giggle about two you “don’t hate.” Using quotes to practice the form is a great idea. I need to remember that. The flipgrid is great! I loved hearing Chloe sharing a poem. What a great way to learn a quote…embedding it in a poem. A lovely post at the end of a long week.
Margaret, thanks for sharing this form and your two mentor poems! You make it look easy, but I would bet it’s a challenging form! I applaud your continued energy and enthusiasm. You’re an inspiration!
Thank you for sharing this form. I’ll definitely have to try it out. I like how “Awareness” is three syllables and I like following the phrase until it reaches the end. Thanks for sharing.
I have filed away tricubes to try, and now I’ll bump it up a syllable and try a 4 x 4!!
Thanks for the inspiration!
Hmm tricube, foursquare, quatricube? That’s a lot of rules, but it IS very symmetrical and attractive. I like your “hang on” especially, and CONGRATULATIONS again on your poem–“Muses” is truly a winner.
Chloe, it is so good to see your face and hear your voice! I would love to see this poem typed out in its 4×4 form, too. “Stand up today” is such a righteous message for the moment!
oh what an interesting form! I love the idea of a repeating refrain that occurs in a different place in each stanza. I’m adding this to my list of forms to play with. I especially like the second poem – “Hang on to love” is such an important thought. Thank you for sharing these!