Monday, September 17, 2012

Ottava Rima

Originally used for long poems on heroic themes, the ottava rima later came to be popular in the writing of mock-heroic works. The lines follow a rhythmical pattern of iambic pentameter (un-stressed and stressed syllables alternating) with an abababcc rhyme scheme. Each stanza is comprised of 8 lines, with the first six encouraging the unwinding of the imagination, while the last two rhyming lines (cc) often give a short pause to rest before continuing and express a truth. Write one ottava rima of 3-5 stanzas by the end of the period.

Example of iambic pentameter:

The da-DUM of a human heartbeat is the most common example of this rhythm.
A standard line of iambic pentameter is five iambic feet in a row:

da DUM da DUM da DUM da DUM da DUM
The tick-TOCK rhythm of iambic pentameter can be heard in the opening line of Shakespeare's Sonnet 12:
"When I do count the clock that tells the time”

 Example of an ottava rima:

Our Canine Paladin

We're sure the robbers shudder in the night (a)
just thinking of our canine paladin, (b)
while Lucy sniffs the air for signs of plight, (a)
in every nook and cranny that's within (b)
her boundaries, in case intruders might (a)
ignore the risk of scratched or punctured skin. (b)
Alas, we've seen the mighty Lucy hide (c)
behind us when she hears a noise outside.(c)

Portraying fearlessness is just a show,
for terriers project their self-esteem
for all to see, from breeding long ago,
they are the leaders of their home regime.
From safety Lucy barks to let them know
to keep this house apart from any scheme,
but with a simple knock she hits the floor
with body wags for any at the door.

38 comments:

  1. Sometimes you feel lonely in this place
    A day comes and everyone is against you
    You feel like you are the in a race
    Every time I think it’s my boo
    I would do anything to chase
    You, since that day my love grew
    You’re the love I need
    I want to love you and make seeds.
    She’s the only girl I love
    I would do anything for her
    Ask the god above
    I want to concur
    Her heart; I’m so sick of
    Dreaming that I’m holding your hand but it’s a glove
    I love her I really need you
    Would you like to be my boo?
    No one is real
    So just be who you are
    I think I made this clear
    I can’t wait to get my car
    My birthday is on the 20th so everyone cheer
    One thing I don’t got and that is fear
    No one could ever stop me from smiling
    No one can push me I would never be falling.
    I smoke on that good
    No one can stop me from blowing it
    If you don’t smoke you think I should?
    Yeah nothing to say so shut up and sit
    I be riding around the hood
    My car be packed there’s nowhere to fit
    I don’t care what people say
    They just jealous they over there trying to figure out what’s bengay.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Format is incorrect, but I like the feel of it. I especially enjoyed the bengay line. Make sure everything stays appropriate. :)

      Delete
  2. I step out and feel the humidity
    A second later and it starts to pour out
    I can feel my immense stupidity
    I left my jacket and I am locked out
    I must go forth, soaked, moving steadily
    My shoes are damaged, the raindrops I count
    I get to my destination slowly
    Tomorrow should be better, hopefully

    The same old routine every single day
    Wake up, go to school, wake up, go to school
    For ten months every day is the same way
    What if I want to relax and play pool?
    Im getting real tired, please go away
    There is a lot of homework to do, fool
    One day it will end and I’ll be happy
    But I’ll miss all my friends, I’ll be sappy


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Excellent job. I like the humorous tone that this has in parts.

      Delete
  3. Summer only comes once throughout the year
    Just a nice feel of that warm summer air
    You’ve got to make the best when it’s still here
    The sun will burn, so don’t look, and don’t stare
    Summer may be ending, but don’t shed tears
    Before it’s gone, act like you just don’t care
    Go for a drive, don’t lose control, just steer
    Have fun, go ahead and wrestle a bear
    Go swimming, and enjoy it while it lasts
    Cause pretty soon, this will all be the past

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sometimes the iambic pentameter doesn't really come through in the way it should be accented, but I really like the way the content really captures the essence of the summer.

      Delete
  4. regrets of the mind

    we are always full of regrets
    but we cannot think of that
    we are human we cannot forget
    the feeling is like the pressure of hittin a bat
    things we can not reject
    makes me want to hit a cat
    things that always will foreshadow us
    the things we do for lust

    the fact that she is along side you
    the things i would do to not have you near
    than im giong to chill and have your friend too
    but back than i had fear
    girl stop and let me get food
    im just giong to boo you
    why your madd take a shot
    and remember the fine night we had last night

    remember that time we had at the park
    when everything was good full of smiles
    now you got someone else getting you in the lot
    how does that feel with all them lies
    now im the only one smiling or not
    now its just a good bye


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is entertaining, but it doesn't even come close to being the appropriate format.

      Delete
  5. A mother should not hate her girl
    She needs to show her love
    Her girl should be a lovely pearl
    Sent from up above
    She’s mean to watch her grow and twirl
    And soar just like a dove
    Instead the girl is lost in life
    From the ignorance of her father’s wife

    Delicious treats are something great
    The taste so sweet and fun
    But ice cream is a thing to hate
    The lactose makes me run
    It must taste good from a large crate
    But instead I’ll eat a bun
    It’s yummy, good and sweet
    Lactose intolerance can’t be beat

    Underneath the giant clock
    The ticking hand still haunts
    Two hours ‘til the time to rock
    A place where one is free
    Soon enough, go with the flock
    Leave this boring tree
    Out the door to the rock show
    True fun’s what you will know

    ReplyDelete
  6. All good things eventually fade away
    Even when we don’t want them to
    Even when we want all the good things to extend their stay
    Things are going good in your eyes
    Then all of the sudden go into a disarray
    Just as things are bright and bold
    They slowly fade into grey
    Sometimes there’s nothing you can do or say

    I wonder what surprises the future has in store for us
    Are you just as anxious as I am?
    So far we’ve been pretty solid about trust
    You’re my best friend
    Our everyday communication is a must
    Whether it lasts or not, we’ll still look back and smile
    And it’s not about lust
    Its believing in each other and making sure it won’t burn down to dust

    ReplyDelete
  7. I want to be left here alone in my bed
    But they insist on being at my side
    All they give me is the feeling of dread
    I was told I would get better, they lied
    I wonder what would happen if I fled
    Away from this place just so I could hide
    This could be my chance, there is no one here
    But my legs do not take me, out of fear

    I curse them for leaving me in the room
    Their actions are those of evil creatures
    Stuck here until I face any doom
    As I’m stuck here staring at their features
    I lose all of my feelings but my gloom
    As they stand over me like the teachers
    My life will end within this padded cell
    It feels like my soul is in a deep well

    They keep me here because I am crazy
    They call the padding my protection
    All I can do here is sit lazily
    And go into personal reflection
    From their needle my vision gets hazy
    They say it’s time for my selection
    Will I leave this god forsaken building
    NO, as my sprit floats to the celling

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I LOVE this! My only criticism is that the feel of the iam0bic pentameter gets lost at times. The syllables are correct but the accents don't fall where they should. The content is fantastic though.

      Delete
  8. The waiting of the sound of the tick-tock
    The rare special ones can only hear it
    Look out there is a person on the dock
    Don’t make a big move just go down and sit
    Just leave it up to the saving rare cop
    Gun is shot and there goes the first aid-kit
    The blood pours out of the rare one, he’s gone
    The cop has been shot and lays on the lawn

    The bad guy runs away and hope is gone
    Terror fills the place, no way to catch him
    I run to hear the sound of nom, nom, nom
    There I watch him and see the light get dim
    I looked at him carefully to see Tim
    Tim was taking out the tree, just a trim
    He used to be my friend but that is now gone
    He lays his head on the pillow like lawn

    I go closer to him to see he’s dead
    I see a cup that he drank on the floor
    He lays on the floor like it is a bed
    My heart sank it was completely tore
    There on the floor was the blood that was red
    I wished that I talked to him even more
    Two people in one day slowly died
    I have to say they had a bumpy ride

    ReplyDelete
  9. Things I Can't Explain

    We were more than best friends
    We meant something to each other
    I'm not the one that pretends
    That we had feelings for one another
    I'm not living my life full of regrets
    What I had with you is something i want to recover
    I might have said some harsh words that I wish I can undue
    At the end of the day you know I miss you

    It’s a decision we both had to make
    To go our separate ways and never look back again
    We’ll have many memories to take
    Everywhere we go, it’s insane
    After two years things we’re finally getting a break
    Yelling & screaming, it all went down the drain
    We both gave each other a headache
    I wish this was fake

    You took forever to make up your mind
    I'm not wasting my time on that
    This is just a sign
    I don't know what you're trying to get at
    I used to be blind
    You're a typical guy with those famous lines
    I wish you the best
    I thought you were better than the rest

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like the subject matter, but the format is incorrect.

      Delete
  10. I waited for the sun to rise
    Starting of a brand new day
    I waited for the end of all the lies
    Your heart and mine begin to stray
    Holding on to all of the goodbyes
    How could I believe all that you did say
    Our lives are coming to an end
    My heart and yours will never mend



    The ball is entering the net
    My head is lowered facing towards the ground
    The ball is placed on the goal line and I am set
    I kick the ball without making a sound
    Always taught about a quick reset
    Looking for defenders all around
    Waiting for the ball to play in air
    Our team not always playing fair






    Pouring our all red like blood
    My hands are shaking in a steady pace
    It pours around me like a tiny flood
    All my weapons hiding in a tiny space
    Dumping his body in sickly mud
    I clean it up without a single trace
    Watching as the body starts to sink
    They’ll never find the missing link

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Format is incorrect. I have high hopes that we will get it right at some point this year.

      Delete
  11. When I do count the clock that tells the time
    I choose to think that we can all believe.
    When I do see that the clock can be mine
    I read and look to know that time is lean.
    I don’t waste it to get the best of signs
    But what the clock says is not simply seen.
    What is around the clock tells us to look
    And not to be obscured by what was took.

    Behind the clock we see the old brown wall
    It helps us know how much was done right here.
    The man that was here years before the call
    The man that caused his mom to drop in tears.
    He stayed but cried because of what he saw.
    It was to do with the war that he fought.
    And what he did was all gone and for naught.

    In the war he did just what was needed
    But when he came back the change was crystal clear.
    He could not say that he was now conceded.
    The things he saw could make a man fear fear.
    But as a strong person he could not cede
    Just what had brought this fear so near.
    It was the loss of his dear friends in battle
    That made his soul do everything but rattle.

    ReplyDelete

  12. Our generation has no sanity
    We treat our family with no respect,
    We only care about our vanity
    And all we just want is to be perfect
    We don’t care about our humanity
    And all the things we do are incorrect
    Why do we do things that cause shame to us?
    Only to cause others to show disgust.

    To show courage is a habit we have
    Only to back down when it really counts

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A little thin. Were we using our time wisely?

      Delete
  13. Her feet were planted in the ground
    Like roots entangled in the earth
    Her heartbeat was the only sound
    This path had lain before her since her birth
    Her coach stood near, his fingers wound
    His smile wide, his laugh expressing mirth
    Her heart was quickly skipping
    Her sweat was slowly dripping

    It was five minutes to go and they turned down the light
    She felt an instant lift about her mood
    She stepped out into the arena and it all went bright
    She felt their applause, as they wooed
    She was lifted to an all new height
    Accomplishing everything that had managed to elude
    This is what she was destined
    To do, she would now be legend


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  14. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  15. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  16. His name is Felix the great
    He loves his girlfriend
    And he is way older than eight
    If you need help he has a hand to lend
    If he goes fishing he has good bate
    And if you need a man, he is the one to send
    The man, the legend, his name is Felix
    If you go for a fight with him, it’s like walking into a helix

    Tyler plays football
    His brain started to bleed
    He is not tall
    Better players is what he needs
    He talks about it in the hall
    But in the game, he doesn’t lead
    In his last game he cracked a kid
    And he almost broke his lid

    I am the man
    I am a king
    I have a great tan
    Google, not bing
    I was never in the klan
    Crack I do not sling
    I have a lot of muscle
    If you call me out, we’ll have a tussle

    ReplyDelete
  17. The night is long and cold
    I like the color red
    The trees are covered with mold
    I love to lie down in my bed
    The owls scold
    However I like to shred
    I dislike school
    Because it is very uncool

    The hero is the knight
    The villain is the beast
    He fights the monster even though it bites
    It begins to feast
    He begins to take delight
    The beast fleas to the east
    No more shall the beast attack
    Because it will never be coming back

    My boys are Felix and Jon
    I like them a lot
    And so on
    I think they are very hot
    I picture Jon as a swan
    And Felix has a big yacht
    Both are very big and strong
    Unfortunately they both wear thongs

    ReplyDelete
  18. The farther I stray from home
    Then the farther I stray from the light
    I don’t know where to roam
    To escape this blight
    Just like the empire of Rome
    I will awake with a fright
    To see that I am lost
    And will eventually know the cost

    I go in the room to sit down on the chair
    I look at computer and start to write
    I take in a big gust of air
    And look outside at the sky at night
    Up at the stars when I ask the question where
    Where can I find his might
    To help me through this day
    And through all this month of May

    I see the plant lay underneath the sun
    Sitting there consuming its rays
    Waiting there having fun
    Until it goes into a haze
    Where it sits until it is done
    And then it goes on its way
    But it can’t really go anywhere
    Because it was eaten by a bear

    ReplyDelete
  19. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  20. When the boy was young he admired that red caped man
    Who would go and continuously save the day
    A person so strong he could lift a van
    And villains would not be able to slay
    A hero who constantly had a clever battle plan
    And would be victorious through every fray
    A man like this the boy wanted to be
    To restore justice, everyone would see

    As the boy grew, he began to fight crime
    From cleaning up trash, to punishing any wrongdoer
    The boy began to clean the cities grime
    He made his city better, nothing could be truer
    But before long, he saw the government as slime
    And decided to give them what was duer.
    He prepared to enact war against authority
    And made this his first priority

    Eliminating people to achieve his goal
    He began to terrify the folks
    Angered with the boy, they declared he had no soul
    To rally people against the boy, the government began to coax
    Trapping the young boy, they made him pay for his crimes in whole
    Enraged at the boy’s treachery the call him a hoax
    Putting him in chains, they send him to prison
    But the boy didn’t fret, for another hero shall be risen

    ReplyDelete
  21. The tall forest trees look down upon me
    The moment I stopped I saw their large eyes
    I stared back up at them curiously
    I blinked twice from the mysterious sight
    I found no strangeness from what I could see
    Continuing my stroll down the long trail
    I knew this journey would be an odd tale

    My legs became sore as the sun sank low
    But I continued my walk through the scene
    I saw a river flowing rather slow
    The clear water sparkled with a bright gleam
    The water was silky, a satin bow
    As I ran my fingers through the cold stream
    Before I left, I saw a school of fish
    To have their freedom was my only wish

    At last the night had finally arrived
    The sky had darkened to a purple hue
    I wore a smile, observing the stars thrive
    I took a moment to think about you
    At this time, I finally felt alive
    The soft magic of night utterly true
    Embracing the silence and peace was sweet
    Only the night was such a lovely treat

    ReplyDelete
  22. The fearless words said by one man
    Put away to avoid his death
    A new god history began
    Sealed in a cave to hide his breath
    With a fake stone that was the plan
    When he grew he would show his wrath
    With a start of a legacy
    His fight gave us the galaxy

    To the children of my future
    I won’t miss the day you are born
    You will never feel my torture
    Me and your mom will not be torn
    When you feel alone ill be there
    Having you in my arms I yearn
    Even when you’re bad I will love you
    My child I can’t wait to meet you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is a very cool poem, mistakes aside. However, it does not even come close to the proper format.

      Delete
  23. It’s been told a million times before
    The same tale we’ve all come to know
    Sucks you in a world of fantasy and lore
    A place where people have gone since years ago
    Can listen until your ears turn sore
    And changes with you as you grow
    Filled with magic and true love
    Fairytales written in the stars above

    It explains to you about life
    The best and worst ways it could be
    Seeing both the victory and the strife
    Teaching us to always stay and never flee
    We fight whether hope is scarce or rife
    It’s the only way you can set yourself free
    Good versus evil is the classic fight
    The victor is always on the side of right

    Call it a cliché and say you don’t care
    It has the power to touch everyone’s heart
    Can make you feel safe or give you a scare
    Whether you’re with your loved ones or apart
    Finding a tale such as this one is rare
    Every good legend begins at the start
    So you can put on your own spin
    No matter what goodness will always win

    ReplyDelete
  24. The castle sits among the fallen snow
    The wintery breeze blows around my hair
    I can see the forest out my window
    My cold castle room feels like my own lair
    I hear talks of all British lingo
    I am not used to this cold British air
    The castle at Wroxton College is home
    In this brand new country where I’m alone


    The fallen leaves cover the stagnant lake
    The signs of fall are all around us now
    Now that summer is gone I need a break
    Look there goes a female dairy cow
    Once the leaves fall falling will be snowflakes
    Instead of rake you will need a snowplow
    The changing from summer to autumn time
    The was really hard to find words to rhyme


    The falling water crashes to the ground
    The luscious plants surround the water’s edge
    The water makes a great thunderous sound
    The water will feed the surrounding hedge
    The roaring sound makes the birds fly around
    The crabs try to escape, in rocks they wedge
    The waterfall is very powerful
    Falling with the force of a big strong bull

    ReplyDelete
  25. Emotions are not meant to get poked at
    It can have many effects
    Makes people eat and get fat
    People get news of reject
    Than they cry in their lap
    Having ideas of regret
    Life starts becoming clueless
    Lose everything and become shoeless

    Having no one there for you
    Trying to get everything back to the way it used to be
    Not having any idea where to go too
    Wanting to have the heart that matched the key
    Trying to understand what to do
    Memories of them having tea
    Starting to make doubts
    Creating love shouts

    Time is running out
    Got to make your move fast
    Don’t go out with a pout
    Forget about the pass

    ReplyDelete
  26. Control is something you cannot obtain
    Controlling someone else is a game that you cannot win
    Try to control a fire spitter and you will be slain
    Do not sit there and tell them what they are doing is a sin
    Why do you have to bring down everyone’s parade with rain?
    Once everyone will lock you out of their lives and never let you in
    And soon a question will come
    One that will make you look completely stupid maybe even dumb

    Who are you to tell me how to live my life?
    When did I agree on a dictator instead of a democracy?
    I don’t need you in my ear like a nagging wife
    That’s all just a nuisance for me
    When I let loose all my anger on you it will have the sharp pain close to a knife
    And there will be no time for you to flee
    So step back and take a seat
    Be a passenger and keep your mouth closed in defeat

    I wish to run my own life like the rest of the world
    I no longer need a filter
    especially not a physical one that will keep my mind swirled
    Don’t collect all my power and tried to sew together like a quilter
    And lock it away in or even let it be hurled
    Into a place that my fire my burn some random person like him or her
    Just let me be
    And don’t ever try to control me

    ReplyDelete
  27. she won the great battle atleast
    she over came the great dragon
    she needs help from someone like the priest
    the battle ends with a wagon
    the numorous towns people ciest
    people eatten by the dragon
    the people sit here and morn
    and they are gi8ven some corn

    The great queen of hearts is very mad
    all because the frog ate her food
    this made the queen very sad
    and put here in a cranky mood
    she ended up wearing plaid
    which icked the queen off a tad
    the queen said off with his head
    and went happily upstairs to bed

    ReplyDelete
  28. It was a cold night
    The flames of death filled the sky
    There was an awful sight
    The flames grew very high
    the face of many people filled with fright
    Evil stretched and children cry
    The evil in the air
    Where is this hero so fine and fair?

    As the air grew thin
    As the flames grew tall
    Where is that hero with a grin
    Why hasn’t he answered our call
    Evil is tarring our skin
    Crushing our wall
    And hurting our soul
    with a traitorous goal

    Oh where Oh where is this man
    Who will save us from this smoke
    Who will help us from this evil plan
    Who will not choke
    and will get us out of this mess
    when really the hero is us

    ReplyDelete