Sestina
The sestina is the most convoluted format imaginable. Technically it is free verse as it uses no rhyme and is usually (not always) without meter. First off, six words are chosen for the sestina as end words. The end words rotate their position with each new stanza. As there are six words, there are six stanzas plus a three line end tag. There is a variation using twelve words and is called a double-sestina. Here then is the word scheme (note that the order of the end words will be written across rather then vertically); ABCDEF, FAEBDC, CFDABE, ECBFAD, DEACFB, BDFECA. Following that is a three line end tag or envoi that may be used in two distinct forms, either ECA or ACE, with B, D, and F included within the lines of the envoi respectively.
Love - A sestina
As a blazing hearth and a fierce beast is my love
For you. Emotions so complex that it is hard to write
Them all down before they fly away. My heart
May seem cold at times. Cold like a bright jewel
That flashes with fierce brilliance. An illuminating peace,
Showing me the darkest corners of my soul.
A barren and cold place too was my soul
Before warmth and light were brought by your love.
Before my heart knew yours a false peace
Reigned. Your understanding has helped me write
What is within, each word a well placed jewel.
It is a testimony, the changes wrought in my oft-chilled heart.
I said before what a cold place my heart
May seem to be, how barren was my soul.
But rest assured that that most precious jewel
Which you have given me, that is your love,
Is a much-needed gift causing the verses I write
To spring forth and restore a sense of true peace.
Words run around in my head threatening peace,
But all I need do is think of you and my heart
Quiets with the knowledge of what these words I write
Will have on your deep, gentle, and caring soul.
It is often so hard to find ways that show my love.
You tell me that any effort will be regarded as the dearest jewel
My hope is that this humble offering, this jewel
In your eyes will bring to you the sense of peace
That I know you desire. At times you question my love
Because it is so hard to truly know another’s heart
To know what resides in someone else’s soul
And that is why I sat down today, these words to write.
So that you would know of the joys that you write
In my life every day. Know how much of a jewel
You are to me. To erase all doubt from your soul.
To give to your innermost being that same sense of peace
That your acts of love and kindness have given my heart.
So that you could begin to understand the depth of my love.
So together let our lives write a testimony of our love
Let it be a jewel for all to see, shining forth from our heart.
Let us fill each other’s soul with a lasting peace.
Now you try!!
The sestina is the most convoluted format imaginable. Technically it is free verse as it uses no rhyme and is usually (not always) without meter. First off, six words are chosen for the sestina as end words. The end words rotate their position with each new stanza. As there are six words, there are six stanzas plus a three line end tag. There is a variation using twelve words and is called a double-sestina. Here then is the word scheme (note that the order of the end words will be written across rather then vertically); ABCDEF, FAEBDC, CFDABE, ECBFAD, DEACFB, BDFECA. Following that is a three line end tag or envoi that may be used in two distinct forms, either ECA or ACE, with B, D, and F included within the lines of the envoi respectively.
Love - A sestina
As a blazing hearth and a fierce beast is my love
For you. Emotions so complex that it is hard to write
Them all down before they fly away. My heart
May seem cold at times. Cold like a bright jewel
That flashes with fierce brilliance. An illuminating peace,
Showing me the darkest corners of my soul.
A barren and cold place too was my soul
Before warmth and light were brought by your love.
Before my heart knew yours a false peace
Reigned. Your understanding has helped me write
What is within, each word a well placed jewel.
It is a testimony, the changes wrought in my oft-chilled heart.
I said before what a cold place my heart
May seem to be, how barren was my soul.
But rest assured that that most precious jewel
Which you have given me, that is your love,
Is a much-needed gift causing the verses I write
To spring forth and restore a sense of true peace.
Words run around in my head threatening peace,
But all I need do is think of you and my heart
Quiets with the knowledge of what these words I write
Will have on your deep, gentle, and caring soul.
It is often so hard to find ways that show my love.
You tell me that any effort will be regarded as the dearest jewel
My hope is that this humble offering, this jewel
In your eyes will bring to you the sense of peace
That I know you desire. At times you question my love
Because it is so hard to truly know another’s heart
To know what resides in someone else’s soul
And that is why I sat down today, these words to write.
So that you would know of the joys that you write
In my life every day. Know how much of a jewel
You are to me. To erase all doubt from your soul.
To give to your innermost being that same sense of peace
That your acts of love and kindness have given my heart.
So that you could begin to understand the depth of my love.
So together let our lives write a testimony of our love
Let it be a jewel for all to see, shining forth from our heart.
Let us fill each other’s soul with a lasting peace.
Now you try!!
