The Minute Poem (created by Verna Lee Hinegardner, once Poet Laureate of Arkansas) is a rhyming verse form consisting of 12 lines of 60 syllables (one syllable for each second in a minute).
The Minute is written in strict iambic meter (an un-stressed syllable, followed by a stressed syllable [da-DUM]). The poem is formatted into 3 quatrains, with syllable counts of 8,4,4,4; 8,4,4,4; 8,4,4,4. The rhyme scheme is: aabb, ccdd, eeff.
The theme should describe a finished event – preferably something that can be done in 60 seconds. It is best suited to light verse – humorous, whimsical, or semi-serious.
More info: http://www.shadowpoetry.com/resources/wip/minute.html
MARIE ELENA’S MINUTE
LOOKS
If you were cute, that would suffice I’d treat you nice. I tell you true, I’d care for you. If you were cute, there’d be no need For you to plead To stay a while. You’d make me smile. But you? I’ll sweep you, little bug With ugly mug, Across the floor, And out the door! © Copyright Marie Elena Good – 2013A NEW YORK MINUTE:
IN A MANNER OF SPEAKING
He used to have a way with words,
though so absurd
with what he’d say,
he had a way.
And surely words have caused him pain,
they’ve clogged his brain.
He mumbles now
this sacred vow
to come around with words profound,
his verbs and nouns
articulate;
communicate.
© Copyright Walter J. Wojtanik – 2013