Anyone fancy a clogyrnach?
Besides just being a wonderful word to look at and pronounce, the clogyrnach is a Welsh poetic form that, per Writer’s Digest, is “typically a six-line syllabic stanza with an ab rhyming scheme” that uses the following format:
Line 1: 8 syllables with an a rhyme
Line 2: 8 syllables with an a rhyme
Line 3: 5 syllables with a b rhyme
Line 4: 5 syllables with a b rhyme
Line 5: 3 syllables with a b rhyme
Line 6: 3 syllables with an a rhyme
I sometimes need a little nudge to venture outside of my comfort zone, and the clogyrnach is a perfect vehicle for me to do just that – it’s different enough from my usual rhyming couplets and quatrains to be challenging, but with all the rhyme and structure that I adore.
My approach, when tackling this new form, was to first brainstorming some rhyming words that I could then build a narrative around. Cat and tree were the first words that came to mind, and the rest of the tale of this unfortunate dreamer flowed from there.
A silly little pussy cat,
Wished to fly like a big black bat.
She jumped from a tree.
She cried, “Look at me!”
Then, you see,
She went splat.
I don’t know that I’ll be introducing the clogyrnach to my writing club students just yet, but it’s always fun to have new-to-me poetic forms in my back pocket for when I need a bit of a gentle challenge!
Have you ever tried writing a clogyrnach?
Your fun experiment was my fun reading experience, Jane! 😀 Thanks for sharing the clogyrnach.
Jane, thank you so much for the introduction to the clogyrnach! (I am sure I’m mispronouncing that in my head.) What a fun form. It seems like a second cousin to the limerick!
What a fun form! Thank you for sharing!
Well, Jane, I have not tried a clogyrnach. I have never even said it before today or known about it. I’m definitely going to give it a try. Thanks for sharing. Your tale of the cat splatting trying to fly like a bat was comical and a fun example of this poetic form.
I’ve never heard of the clogyrnach, but did look up to see how to pronounce it, Jane. Poor cat with big ideas. However, that is like most cats, always finding trouble! What fun to try a new form!
This looks like a fun form to try!
How fun! I’ve never heard of nor written a clogyrnach. I just recently wrote a “gwawdodyn” though, which is another Welsh form. Have you heard of it? Thanks for the intro to the clogyrnach. I’ve copied it into my notebook and will have fun noodling around with it.
Jane, since I never heard of this poetic format before, I am energized by your smooth rhyming and whimsical storyline.
Jane, since I never heard about the poetic format that you chose, I am surprised and pleased. Your wonderful way with rhyming, technique, and story line for kids and adults is a gem.
Jane, this is the 3rd time that I am trying to get my comment to appear. I have never heard of the poetic format you chose but your whit, techniques, and storyline for kids are inspiring. I enjoyed your work.