The triolet is a brief, rhyming poem that, like the pantoum, takes part of its structure from the repetition of entire lines. A triolet has eight lines, as follows: (ABaAabAB)

1st line A
2nd line B
3rd line a (rhymes with A)
4th line A (entire 1st line repeated)
5th line a (rhymes with A)
6th line b (rhymes with B)
7th line A (entire 1st line repeated)
8th line B (entire 2nd line repeated)

Triolets were originally written in the French of the Middle Ages. The first triolets in English were prayers written by Patrick Carey, a Benedictine monk of the 17th century. Robert Bridges, an English poet and critic who later was named Poet Laureate and saw to the publication of Gerard Manley Hopkins’ poems, reintroduced the triolet into English at the end of the 19th century.

Some Examples:

Pay Day

Feeling elated, sense of achievement,
After working hard, waiting for this day.
For others, a means of entertainment,
Feeling elated, sense of achievement.
Efforts resulting in accomplishment,
The time has come for me to have a say.
Feeling elated, sense of achievement,
After working hard, waiting for this day.

Nature Trail

Morning walk is a time for nature talk,
Listen to the music of the new morn.
Breathe in the freshness, reflect as you walk,
Morning walk is a time for nature talk.
Magic moment will be gone, do not gawk,
Ambling along, discover the new born.
Morning walk-is a time for Nature Talk!
Listen! To the music of the new morn.

Weekend

A welcome break after a dreary week,
Statements and projects I wish to forget.
A lovely weekend is all that I seek,
A welcome break after a dreary week.
The dailies are around, I’ll take a peek.
Time with family, the only target.
A welcome break! After a dreary week
Statements and projects-I wish to forget!
 
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