Pantoum

This form is a Malayan poem invented in the fifteenth century.  Before that time it existed in the oral tradition.  Composing a pantoum is one of the most fascinating experiences in poetry.  It unfolds like a puzzle as if someone else, besides yourself, was helping to write the poem.  Every line in the seven stanza poem is used twice expect one line in the last stanza.  The form below has 28 lines.

Example:

“Paladin”

Hail to the jock! (1)

Hero of the year (2)

Elegant and strong (3)

We hear you cannot read (4)

Hero of the year (5—2)

Incredible form (6)

We hear you cannot read (7—4)

Be honest with yourself (8)

Incredible in form (9—6)

It’s time to ask for help (10)

Be honest with yourself (11—8)

Show courage off the field (12)

It’s time to ask for help (13—10)

Insure your future life (14)

Show courage off the field (15—12)

Look past the shouting crowd (16)

Insure your future life (17—14)

Show courage off the field (18)

Look past the shouting crowd (19—16)

The cheers will die away (20)

School spirit hides the truth (21—18)

Beyond the pride and glory (22)

The cheers will die away (23—20)

When you face the real world (24)

Beyond the pride and glory (25—22)

Be as fine as you can be (26)

When you face the real world (27—24)

Hail to the jock! (28—1)

        ~G.B. Lipson