10/ Kyrielle

I learned about the kyrielle this morning. It's French, and consists of at least two 4-line stanzas (quatrains) with eight syllables each line and a rhyme scheme. The last line of each stanza is a refrain. I must say I'm not crazy about the eight syllables. I'd rather do four beats per line, putting the stress where I want it and not worrying about the syllable count.


Gillian (a kyrielle)

She stands near flowers on the porch,
sunbeams exploding in her hair.
She lights up spaces like a torch.
I took the picture. I was there.

Horse and rider levitation:
beautiful girl, beautiful mare.
Thrilling hunt seat equitation.
I took the picture. I was there.

Seated in the flower garden,
rainbows of petals everywhere.
Begging all the insects’ pardon,
I took the picture. I was there.

He holds his just-born little girl,
the image of paternal care.
Mysterious, how life unfurls.
I took the picture. I was there.