Q is for Quatern

A Quatern is a sixteen line French form composed of four quatrains. It is similar to the Kyrielle and the Retourne. It has a refrain that is in a different place in each quatrain. The first line of stanza one is the second line of stanza two, third line of stanza three, and fourth line of stanza four. A quatern has eight syllables per line. It does not have to be iambic or follow a set rhyme scheme.

line 1
line 2
line 3
line 4

line 5
line 6 (line 1)
line 7
line 8

line 9
line 10
line 11 (line 1)
line 12

line 13
line 14
line 15
line 16 (line 1)

When the sun and moon link the day
Is the world full of hope or gloom?
And is the magic wand working?
Are we looking for love or hate?

As we walk in the woods, it’s dark
When the sun and moon link the day
Strong wind caught us in surprise
Are we going to a battle?

Do we continue struggling?
And even when we hear the cries?
When the sun and moon link the day
The howling wind and strong breeze

Some mermaids swaying in the seas
As the birds soar up the sky
And the sea as blue as your eyes
When the sun and moon link the day

(c) ladyleemanila 2018

For: Q is for (Don’t) Quit #atozchallenge ,  Happy 19th day of Na/GloPoWriMo, everyone!