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Tuesday, September 30, 2014

A Tale of Love (and Woe) – Lovers' Song #9

Princess #9



Knight #9




A note on form:  The above form has little (or sporadic) history.  Part of a long line of ancient Japanese forms from which come the sedōka, choka, and tanka is the katauta.  Depending on the source this poem (also known as a half-poem or half-song), is either 17 (5 / 7 / 5) or 19 (5 / 7 / 7) syllables long.  The feeling I get is that this form is meant to be one half of a conversation...perhaps two lovers conversing back and forth.  There is also note of this form consisting of a question-and-answer feel; the first poem posing the question, while the second poem answers it. 


About this series:  This series is a branch-off of a ten act ballad called A Tale of Love and Woe.  All odd numbered installations are initiated by the "princess" with a response from the "knight."  In each of these, the princess follows the 17 syllable pattern to which the knight replies in kind. All even numbered installations are initiated by the "knight" with a response from the "princess."  In each of these, the knight follows the 19 syllable pattern to which the princess replies in kind. 

7 comments:

Brian Miller said...

cute...the hiding behind the fan to avoid the blush...

Mary said...

These are both really cool!

Vandana Sharma said...

Beauties of eyes, nothing like them!

brudberg said...

How love can have that sweet smell of innocence, of blush and temptations.

Jennifer Wagner said...

A lovely exchange!

Victoria said...

I've enjoyed this series a lot. Like the idea of handwritten poetry. I write all of mine by hand in a huge sketch pad...not so with prose.

Claudia said...

oh that blushing is so charming...she shouldn't hide it..smiles