The Alliterisen (Complex and Rhyming), is a form created by Udit Bhatia, which is a simple seven-lined poem with a specific syllable pattern and two alliterations per line.
Alliteration is the succession of similar consonant sounds. They are not recognized by spelling, but rather by sounds. For example: Glorious Graves, and wonderful waves.
The syllable structure for the Complex Alliterisen is as follows:
1st line- x syllables
2nd line- x+2 syllables
3rd line- x-1 syllables
4th line- (x+2)-1 syllables
5th line- x-2 syllables
6th line- (x+2)-2 syllables
7th line- x syllables
This allows for infinite syllable sequences.
In the above sample, let’s say your first line has eight (8) syllables:
1st line- 8 syllables
2nd line- 10 syllables
3rd line- 7 syllables
4th line- 9 syllables
5th line- 6 syllables
6th line- 8 syllables
7th line- 8 syllables
The Rhyming Alliterisen consists of 7 lines, with 7 syllables each, and has one alliteration in every line. The rhyme scheme is as follows: aabbccd.
xxxxxxA
xxxxxxA
xxxxxxB
xxxxxxB
xxxxxxC
xxxxxxC
xxxxxxD
Yeah, I know… it’s very regimented. But if we don’t challenge ourselves we don’t improve! Give it a try.
MARIE ELENA’S RHYMIN’RISEN:
A MUDDLED INTERMINGLING
Miss Little Libby Loudly
Adds deaf’ning discourse proudly
While Weensy Willie Whisper’s
A calmly quiet lisper.
Then enter Mugsy Mumbles
And grumpy Gertrude Grumbles-
Inspire intermingling.
WALT’S COMPLEX ALLITERISEN:
LOVE’S LONGING
Assured, I stand in silent shadows,
wildly wondering about a love lost.
In my mind she is an angel;
in my heart of hearts, she belies beauty.
Her hand, softly sensual,
and tender touches tell her tale.
My dream is daunting; love languishes.
Here’s an alliterisen I made earlier, to a different recipe. I’ll try out your forms when I’ve eaten.
Alliterisen
7 lines of 7 syllables, 1 alliteration each line, rhyme: aa bb cc d
Acronym and antonym,
pseudonym and synonym,
phonetic and frenetic
are partially poetic.
Rhyme and rhythm conjugate
– one which we should contemplate –
when blasted rules bamboozle.
Marie, I think we’re on the same wavelength with this kind of form! Walt: yours is just gorgeous!
Fun one, Viv!! I think Lolamouse is right in her analysis: The rhymers lend themselves to whimsical (or in my case you can add silly). Perhaps because that gives us more to draw from? And yes, Walt’s is absolutely gorgeous.
Cute one Viv. Whimsey is refreshing, but this form is not as easy as it looks. Well done.
Such fun, Viv! 🙂 Love this!
Elena, Walt, and vivinfrance–SO impressive! The rhyming ones seem to lend themselves more to the whimsical, while the complex has such a beautiful cadence! I’ll have to try this!
Complex Alliterisen ( I hope)
Fastidiousness his strong strength
Can soon become a guy’s glaring weakness
Efficient, he designs day
Relationships written in with pen
She disrupts his schedule
His to- do list lambasted, so
Tomorrow two lists are his plan.
Many blooms go to Walt and Marie for stretching us and giving us great examples. I have been schizophrenic since my first sestina attempt, but decided to jump in and try a new one. Have to admit, it was fun.
Ooo, I like this, Iris!
Good one, Iris.
Complex, Yes! Meg, I can see yours on a television screen, in full color animation. Walt… beauty in words stunning.
Loved yours, Marie and Walt! You breathed life into those scary rhyme patterns and syllable counts.
Here’s my far from perfect, but heartfelt, attempt:
~ A Love Note ~
First time I saw you – what a sweet surprise!
Who would have thought? – love’s lit, and paradise
Was promised. How could I walk away?
No, impossible, for on that dreamy day
I knew ‘twas it: I fin’lly found
The one. Heart of hearts where blessings abound –
My very own home, my beautiful house!
I like the ironic ending, Happy. Good job.
Thank you, Iris! I do love my house, and it really was love at first sight. 🙂
Beautiful, Happy. Happy Home Sweet Home.
It is interesting – you can walk into doz’s of houses and just look, then you go into one and just know it is the right one. It will become your home.
The title grabbed me.
ON GOOD TEACHING
Blessed hous in the English department D,
Mrs. Petersen lecturing Postwar Poetry.
She had worlds’s of wisdom go through our minds
so humbly honouring poets of different kinds.
From up above she performed James Joyce
speaking in Irish and keeping up his voice.
She suddenly stopped and said: Sorry, what war are we talking?
Sorry, I got mixed up in the math part. Here it is again, only I fixed the last line.
ON GOOD TEACHING
Blessed hous in the English department D,
Mrs. Petersen lecturing Postwar Poetry.
She had worlds’s of wisdom go through our minds
so humbly honouring poets of different kinds.
From up above she performed James Joyce
speaking in Irish and keeping up his voice.
She suddenly stopped, wondering: What war?
Hmn, I should have fixed “hours” and “worlds” too – I’m so lucky to have the world’s best editor to help me. I will not paste the corrected edition – only I don’t hope my mistakes ruin your impression too much. What a great lesson!
This is great, Andrea! I had an excellent English teacher in high school. This reminds me of her. Thank you!
The Rhyming Alliterisen consists of 7 lines, with 7 syllables each, and has one alliteration in every line. The rhyme scheme is as follows: aabbccd.
xxxxxxA
xxxxxxA
xxxxxxB
xxxxxxB
xxxxxxC
xxxxxxC
xxxxxxD
“The Gift”
A feast from God’s rose garden
Beauty melts a heart hardened
My soul sups the petals warm
A love learned as the bees swarm
Sweetly surprised, hungry eyes,
Now tenuous tears standby
Grasping the gift to my breast.
Love this line:
“Beauty melts a heart hardened”
So true.
Jacqueline, lovely poem.
DuckTales
(Complex Alliterisen)
Donald Duck loved chicken chow mein
Glittering Goldie gulped Coca Cola
Daisy Duck downed Krispy Kreme’s
Doofus Drake desired Dunkin Donuts
Glomgold’s greed good as gold
Gyro Gearloose concocts chaos
Gladstone Gander gifted gambler
Wow! That’s quite a mouthful. Literally. 😉 Well done!
Fun – I can never come up with word couples like that!
No way!
Aaaaaaack. **De’s head explodes**
That’s a LOT of poem math. Which is a teensy oxymoron. 😉
Back later. Need more coffee.
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What’s with the algebra? (x+2)-2 is still x.
Connie, I also wondered why anybody would write x that way – only it’s so interesting. Especially considering modern poetry because people write the most incredible things to get my attention.
To me, it’s incredibly useless, unless I’m missing something here.
Ha! See? I never would have puzzled that out.
I noted that too!… and wondered why.
I did too, guys. I was even a wiseguy and asked Walt if this was Bhatia’s idea of a joke. 😉
Marie Elena
What was Walt’s reply? < 🙂
Walt’s reply was this. We offer varying forms for our poets to try. If you never use the form outside of PB, at least you have a working knowlege of the form. It is a learning tool and no one is required to write to the form. But if you challenge yourselves, Marie agreed to make cookies for all attempting poets… 😉
You want maybe I should unleash the Double Sestina? Hmmmm?
WHO’s a tempting poet?
meg
Aaaahahaha….. YOU TWO!!
Powerful Puny Package
Whispered or shouted it’s most manageable.
It’s not only small but brilliantly intangible.
When entered into humble human ears,
it can produce changes and calm ferocious fears.
And floating up to God’s gracious heart,
on the impossible, it can give you a sound start.
The famous, fabulous four-letter word, “Help!”
Love this, Connie. So true! So thankful for “God’s gracious heart.”
Earlier – I posted a reply – but I think it flew the coop!
….The famous, fabulous four-letter word, “Help!”
This is such an important word to hear and to learn to voice.
Vindicate those vicious words
Wasted on willed thoughts absurd
An error etched in white bones
Jingle, jangle jaded stones
Sticky tar and bitter taste
Stored forever, mindful waste
Why not wait? Just subjugate.
Sorry there’s no title. Any ideas?
Laurie, I love this. Offered a title on your blog post.
… and I love the title. Thank you, De!
Fun word usage.
Thanks, Marjory.
It almost sounds like a witch’s incantation. Love it.
Had not though that — but on re-read, you’re right, I can see witched dancing around a big pot! 🙂
Okay, I chickened out and tried the Rhyming Alliterisen, for now. Though I think I may be a bit of a “Rhyming Illiterate” instead. 😉 I hope I’ve done this right.
Alert, Risen
She wakes, wooed wild by word whims,
Sows scattered seeds to the wind.
Some will flourish, fly, far-flung,
Some will sit, sigh, silence sung.
But all will beat bald bruised wings,
Rise, remember richer things
And raise eyes to hope above.
Good job – I think the rhyming one is more challenging that than complex. Guess I should have a go at it.
Meg, I LOVE your silly! Libby and Willie and Mugsy and Gertrude make me smile!
Walt, this line is stunning: “and tender touches tell her tale.” Beautiful piece.
Thanks De! I think they’d make cute characters in a silly children’s story. I’ve used Libby and Willie in a children’s poem that has so far not been accepted for publication anywhere.
Marie Elena
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Oopsie. Missed an allit in the last line. Please excuse quick repost.
Alert, Risen
She wakes, wooed wild by word whims,
Sows scattered seeds to the wind.
Some will flourish, fly, far-flung,
Some will sit, sigh, silence sung.
But all will beat bald bruised wings,
Rise, remember richer things
And ease eyes to hope above.
Neatly done. 🙂
PS: Is it “one alliteration” per line, or “at least one alliteration per line?”
Results here vary, and I like both. Just wondering official form rule. Thanks. 🙂
Good question, De. I took it as “at least,” but that’s not actually how it is stated. Hmmm…
Marie Elena
It appears as Walt had mentioned, the Complex variant uses a double alliteration. The Rhyming version only requires one alliteration within a seven syllable line?
Marie I love the whimsical fun nature of yours. Delightful to read.
Walt Well done good concetration on beat and words.
Thank you Marjory!
Marie Elena
8-10-7-9-6-8-8-
ALLIERISEN – The repetition of use
of initial consonant sound in two or
more neighboring words
Time again to till the trenches
Hoe, haul as we make rows some straight, some smooth
picking out those perfect plants
thinking out how much of this then that
so we can start sowing
waiting for some sprouting seedlings
to grow long-side the wicked weeds.
Like this, Marjory.
🙂
I love how lispy and lilting this form seems! Right now my head is spinning a bit trying to wrap my head around it but I’ll have to give it a shot sometime soon! 🙂
Khara (http://www.kharahouse.com)
KHARA IS IN THE HOUSE!! YYYYYYYYYYES!!!!!!!
~A Single Speck~
A pummeling power spills sand,
grains are smoothed swiftly by rush and retreat.
Fleeing flecks shimmer and shine,
eternal embrace of wooing wave.
Graceful glance slanted scape,
beach begets hearts of happiness;
masterfully made single speck.
© Hannah Gosselin 5/30/12
Love this Hannah, Flows so nicely and is so discriptive.
I thought this was really tough to make something natural sounding from this form. I have to hand it to you poets … you are all absolutely amazing. Truly.
Marie Elena
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A Novel Worth Noting
Wonderful words spun together
by masterful hands hovering over
keys, clicking characters in
place. Plot races at breathless, breakneck
speed, shifting sleep to far
cavernous corners of the mind
to deeply devour the novel.
Well crafted Lynn. It has a smooth flow and paintsquite a picture and seems to adhere to the form. Bravo!! Clap, clap/
How fun – well done.
just a thought but aren’t the “x”s just to remind the poets to use as much alliteration as possible without coming out and saying that every line?
“X” represents the number of syllabils in a given line.
If your first line has 6 Syllables x=6
Second line would be x+2 —> 6+2=8 syllabes
3rd line x-1 ———————> 6-1=5 syllables
4th line (x+2)-1—————–> (6+2)-1=7 syllables
5th line x-2 ——————–> 6-2= 4 syllables
6th line x————————> 6 syllables
7th line x ———————-> 6 syllables
Syllable counts per line would be 6-8-5-7-4-6-6
Compare that with the example Walt did at the beginning of the prompt – that started with x=8. giving [8-10-7-6-8-8]
.
CORRECTION Walt’s example x=8
syllable count would be 8-10-7-9-6-8-8
Sorry 😦 I appoligize to line four.
Hmn, it looks like we’re not clapping our hands the same way to the sounds. I’d argue Walt’s x is 9.
You’re both right. Walt included an “8” example in the instructions, and his poem uses “9.” 🙂
Marie Elena
(Cont. from above post because I am to long winded for one post)
x could actually be any number greater than 2. Once the first line number of syllables is established (i.e what ‘x’ is) then follow the x plus or minus for each aditional line as layed out above.
The alliterations are a seperate issue as demonstrated by the Rhyming one which specified 7 syllables per line, but also a rhyming schedule and the alleration(s) in every line.
Both limited to seven lines and one set (or more ) of the alliterations per line
There’s just something icky about Poetry and Math being together. I ran away from math a long time ago. : ) Thank you, Margory for attempting to clarify the marriage of P and M.
:0 Hope tha marriage works for you.
IF MY UNDERSTANDING ( AND EXPLINATION) OF THIS FORM IS WRONG –
PLEASE CORRECT ME ASAP. 🙂
THANKS. mmt
Spot on, Marjory! 😀
Marie Elena
X has to be at least 4 or line 5 will not work for alliteration
x=4 [4-6-3-5-2-4-4]
Just jump with joy
do a deep doe-se-doe
scoop score to
beat the brass band and
love lights
of firery flame
in flip-flop fun.
OK – if Complex Allit’ has to have two Allit’s per line than ‘x’ has to be minimually 6 ( I appoligize to you who do not take kindly to math…math and numbers is just there with me.)
x=4 [4-6-3-5-2-4-4] x=6 [6-8-5-7-4-6-6]
Just jump with jingle joy
dip down do a deep doe-se-doe
stop soon to scoop score
and by beating the brass band
let love lights lift
with fast full firery flame
in final flip-flop fun
Thanks Amy, Connie, Marjory, Marie Elena, Janet and De for helping me getting this right. Pew!
I can’t help it. Here I go again because this poem has been haunting me – I simply needed to get it right (there was a Mrs. Petersen and she would have loved this).
And Marie Elena, I think it’s so funny that you and Walt had so many people sit there counting their syllable fingers accompanied by strange consonant sounds in order to make some sense out of this structure. And like Marie Elena, I’m so impressed. What amazing results.
ON GOOD TEACHING
Blessed hours in the English department D,
Mrs. Petersen lecturing Postwar Poetry.
Worlds of wisdom wandering through our minds
so soundly honouring poets of different kinds.
From up above she performed James Joyce
saying something sad in Irish in his voice.
Suddenly she stopped and just wondered: What war?
Excellent, Andrea! 🙂
🙂 🙂 🙂
Ok here is my Rhymer.
Summer days relentless run
Beneath the sharp shining sun
Where rippling reflecting rays
Shine through the waffling heat waves
‘or road that is dark bleak band
Rimmed with soft gray shifting sand
The dreary daunting desert.
I love “waffling heat waves”.
Thanks 🙂
PLEASE MARIE AND WALT, no double sestina. I am still a little shizy from my one attempt at writing a sestina.
I’m with you on THAT, Iris!! :-O
oops, that is supposed to read schizy, like schizophrenic. I probably have other problem too if we attempt a double. Lol.
Not to worry, Iris. If Walt serves up a double Sestina, I’ll be swimming across Lake Erie to send him “swimmin’ with the fishes.” 😉
Marie Elena
Are you Sure you two are not Relatives? LOL!!
We’re convinced we were separated at birth 😉
meg
And I would have to fly to the east coast in time to stop him!
And I’ll help ya, Marie! :-))
LOL!!!
This was a real challenge! Hope I got it! Kudos to all you poets who’ve attempted this form!
Nature’s Music (Complex Alliterisen)
Serenity surrender to restless ruminations
I return to the feral forest where rests make music’s metre
Wooden sun bleached boards carry me through sighing Cypress
Moments and measures play longer by the cadence of the creek
Waterstriders wade like tiny persons paddling
Raucous red bellied woodpecker spies russet red tailed hawk
Bullfrogs burp; spring beauties blush. Senses soar like swallowtails.
lolamouse, I don’t usually comment much on In-Form, but this is Natures’s magical music, and I just had to tell you that I Love your words here!!! :)!
Wonderfully done. Very easy and fun to follow on you “walk”
How lovely and flowing, like a stream.
Sweet music, and a fun trip through the forest! 🙂
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Desperately Seeking Scotland
Yon bonnie banks heal my hardened heart,
as wistful wonder brings me back to my home.
Having had traveled to places,
familiar faces serve to soothe my soul.
It takes its toll. This grand goal
really refreshes a world wide fool.
Spirits soar when the Highland hills call.
I always wanted to visit Scotland.
Are you living there or just dreaming of it?
We have the yearly “Scotland Games” in Ferndale, WA coming up soon.
No place like home, huh? 🙂
“Flying With My President”
I’m feisty fly, Aethelred.
Flew, in full view, overhead.
Boarded with buzzed credentials;
bugged baggage incidentals.
Gained seat in gourmet kitchen.
Chef listens to my friction
Swat! I’m Dead-Red-Swaggering…
🙂 🙂 🙂 Swat!
No free ride anywhere.
“Big Cat”
Your power, a panther glazed
in fervid fever, amazed
only by cheap challenge–games
of bilk and brawn played to tame
scavengers bent on torn knees
to you. Do you yearn to tease
or slaughter the simpleton?
Ya did it – good job!
Self Sacrifice
(A Complex Alliterisen)
Give gladly and sing softly.
Whispered words of a tormented truth
tell tales of daunted deeds.
Vivid visions of flaming fire
give grace a rude run.
Real rest on cotton clouds is
still steeped in self sacrifice.
~~~
Out of the Box
(A Rhyming Alliterisen)
Float or sink or slowly swim?
A prickly pear consumed him,
speeding seconds, ticking clocks,
driving days out of the box.
Many more the wise man said,
focused firmly on his bed,
seeking sun forever more.
~~~
Glorious Goals
(A complex and Rhyming Alliterisen)
Finding faith as daylight dissolves.
Holiness happens but evil evolves.
Working wonders while mad men
start moving mountains and light lamps then
day dream glorious goals.
Gifts granted to the seeking souls.
Jealousy jabs thru soft shadows.
By Michael Grove
Okay, MIchel. I cannot believe you came up with three of these. I am impressed.
Gotta agree with that! This is not an easy form to fiddle with. :-))
Interesting read – all three.
Memorial (In-Form-The Alliterisen)
His wife, her face faded now,
stands silently, keeps her vow.
Eyes engage the reflecting pool
at new building’s base, a tool
she says, to show our power–
a taller, tougher tower.
She sees only his young face.
Poignant piece.
Thanks, Pamela!
Though pervoking.
nicely done.
Thanks, Marjory!
Well, this form is a challenge, alright! Here’s mine, finally:
Rainy Night Surprise
Wakening in wee hours
harkening, hears no showers.
Delicate glow breaks the gloom,
spills on the bed, bathes the room.
Beckoned from sleep by the sight,
slips from the dark in delight,
basks in the light of la Lune.
Sounds (reads) like a beautiful night.
Whew, this is DIFFICULT! Here’s my rhyming alliterisen. I attempted a complex alliterisen as well, but realized too late that I had only included one alliteration per line. 😦 Oh well, I’ll have to try again sometime.
Pretty Please (A Rhyming Alliterisen)
Pretty please, would you just leave?
I need time to groan and grieve.
I wearily wish for time
As anything but a mime
Who smiles, silly, and ignores
All life’s sufferings and sores.
Would you just leave, pretty please?
Nicely done …especially like the first and last lines.
With you on the one vs two allit’ in complex. Wrote mine before I read about the double. 😦
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