Write a Triolet, which is a one stanza poem of eight lines.

Its rhyme scheme is A B A A A B A B and all lines are in iambic tetrameter (eight syllables, with the stress on every second syllable).

The first, fourth and seventh lines are identical, as are the second and final lines, thereby making the initial and final couplets identical as well. Here's an example, written by Thomas Hardy:

Birds At Winter

Around the house the flakes fly faster,
And all the berries now are gone
From holly and cotoneaster
Around the house. The flakes fly! - faster
Shutting indoors the crumb-outcaster
We used to see upon the lawn
Around the house. The Flakes fly faster
And all the berries now are gone!

You will, no doubt, notice that he has altered the punctuation in the repeated lines to create different meanings using the same words; this is common, though not strictly in keeping with the original form. You will also notice that he has taken poetic license with the metre in a few lines. Well, he was Thomas Hardy, and could do whatever he pleased ;-) You can do it in whichever manner pleases you best.

Please indicate on your posts that they are for the challenge by including something like "Triolet challenge" in your titles. It makes it easier to monitor and collect. The results will be collected and posted together when the challenge ends.

As always, this challenge is open to all members of PoetBay. Go for it; and, whatever you do, have fun and ‘Keep Writing'!