Oh dear, I have become partial to writing the odd poem after supper, the odder the better.

The latest challenge from Grace on dVerse involves the minute poem, a 60-second poem represented by sixty syllables (twenty per each of three stanzas), following a particular (invented) form 8.4.4 4 and rhyming pattern aabb.

As Grace tells us:

The Minute Poem is a 60 syllable verse form, one syllable for each second in a minute. The theme should be an event that is over and done completely, as in a minute. Since the dominant line is short the effect is likely humorous, whimsical or semi-serious. It was created by Verna Lee Hinegardner, once poet laureate of Arkansas.

The elements of the Minute Poem are:

1. narrative poetry.
2. a 12 line poem made up of 3 quatrains. (3 of 4-line stanzas)
3. syllabic, 8-4-4-4   8-4-4-4   8-4-4-4 (First line has 8 syllables of each stanza.  Remaining lines has 4 syllables in each stanza)
4. rhymed, rhyme scheme of aabb ccdd eeff.
5. description of a finished event (preferably something done is 60 seconds).
6. is best suited to light verse, likely humorous, whimsical or semi-serious.

Suited to “humorous” topics, so – being prone to a little doggerel – I couldn’t resist.

(Once I was the winner of a limerick contest, winning a book of limericks so vile that I had to give it to a charity shop to spare my maidenly blushes, even though I was matronly by then).

 

This minute offering is altogether cleaner on the palate:



brushing for British smiles


put the paste on the bristly brush:

no need to rush,

you've got a split

second to spit


but first add water and a short

froth as she taught:

(the hygienist,

dental cleanest)


now get into the best skilling:

avoid drilling

and gum disease -

which incur fees


© Kathy Labrum McVittie 27 January 2022   All rights reserved

So now I’d better clean my teeth – for a minute – before bed.

Good night!