Check out d’Verse Poet’s Pub to join in this poetry writing: https://dversepoets.com/2022/02/24/poetry-form-sparrowlet/
The Sparrowlet is an invented stanzaic form created by Kathrine Sparrow that she calls a variation of the Swap Quatrain. The defining feature is the inversion of the 2 hemistichs of L1 in L6 of each stanza.
The elements of the Sparrowlet are:
- stanzaic, written in any number of sixains. (A stanza of 6 lines).
- syllabic, lines of 8 syllables each. (Often written in iambic tetrameter.)
- rhymed, rhyme scheme BbabaA.
- L1 and L6 of each stanza is written in 2 hemistichs. (Hemistich means a half a line of a verse).
- The 2 halves of L1 are inverted and repeated as a refrain in L6. The last line MUST be the EXACT SAME as line 1, just switched around. You cannot change any of the words. (Punctuation may be changed to accommodate the meaning).
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***Spoiler: I didn’t do this correctly with the first and last lines! It is already “published” so I will have to redo them and repost.
These are the New Ones:
Darkness ascend, sadness in bloom
Joy and happiness fear the doom
A broken heart that cannot mend
Sunny shades of glory may loom
In hugs and kiss from a close friend
Sadness in bloom, darkness ascend
Seeds sprout gold under the light
Spores of pollen soon take flight
Take in water with leaves to hold
No winter weather to fear a bite
Sun keeps away any air cold
Under the light seeds sprout gold
©2022 CBialczak Poetry
This is my attempt at a Sparrowlet. The first one is sort of sad so I will try another that is not so dismal.
When darkness comes, sadness in bloom
Joy and happiness fear the doom
A broken heart that cannot mend
Sunny shades of glory may loom
In hugs and kiss from a close friend
comfort despair until the end
Here is a “sunnier” attempt, inspired by seeds I planted.
Small seeds sprout tall under the light
Tiny spores of pollen take flight
Take in water with leaves to hold
No winter weather fear a bite
Sun keeps away any air cold
Flowers in bloom with colors bold
©2022 CBialczak Poetry
Stine Writing 
Sadness in bloom is a broken heart. I really like the new sparrowlet and could see the pattern specially in Lines 1 and 6. The second stanza is hopeful with:
Under the light seeds sprout gold. Thanks for joining in, Christine!
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Thank you! I needed to add positivity to such a gloomy beginning. Our world needs it right now!
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You caught that right, after the sadness….the sun light giver of life…I really enjoyed the way nature was explored here, with the subtle undertones…
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Thank you
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I like the change of seasons you caught here, and the beauty of nature.
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Thank you
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I love how you turned this around to bring hope at the end, Christine!
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Thank you. With all that is going on in this world I couldn’t leave it in a down mood.
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I think that as long that we have those seeds, spring may make it bloom
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I had to try a few times too, Christine – but yours turned out so well!
-David
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Thank you! Just out of curiousity…why is your blog named Ben Alexander if your name is David? Lol, probably none of my business but I am one of those people that like to know everything.
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Hi!
My first name is David. The word ‘ben’ means ‘son of’ in Hebrew. My father’s name was ‘Alexander’. I created this blog in his memory. It’s a bit confusing, I know… Sorry!
🧡
David
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Aw, that is so sweet. I was thinking the ben part could be Hebrew, I taught nursery school in a synagogue and know there is meaning in it. Well, nice to meet you and thanks for sharing!
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