The imayo is comprised of four 12-syllable lines. Each line is divided into a 7-syllable and a 5-syllable section, with a hard pause (or caesura) in between. The pause will generally be represented by a comma, semi-colon, or similar punctuation.
- 4 lines (8 lines permissible)
- 12 syllables per line divided as 7-5
- make a pause space between the 7 and 5 syllables
- use comma, caesura or kireji (cutting word) as the pause
- no rhymes
- no meter
- no end of line pauses – the whole should flow together as though one long sentence
- The Imayo is a literal poem so do not use symbolism, allegory etc.
Part of the challenge is also writing the poem about a bird. I chose to write about a cardinal. We aren't supposed to use symbolism, but a cardinal is said to be symbolize a visit from a loved one who has passed away. So, I chose to write from the point of view of a bird contemplating his existence.
Then, just in case it doesn't fit with the rules, I wrote a second one about seagulls because they always crack me up at the beach. :-)
people stop and gawk at me, every time I fly
could there be truth in their words? I stop and ponder.
something draws me to a spot, or is it someone?
seeming desperate for food - begging is a norm
they wait for opportune times - dash quickly and grab
then pray they've not been noticed - let the fights begin
Would you like to try your hand at the Imayo? Click here and join us.
These are wonderful, Yvette! I love the first one because of the bird's perspective and a loved one reincarnated, but the seagulls are fun too. Well done! 🩷
ReplyDeleteI'm happy you liked them, Lauren! Thanks for visiting. :-)
DeleteI loved them, Yvette, and decided to try one too. Not sure if it's true to the form, but it was fun anyway. My sister has an African Gray parrot, so he came to mind when writing this from his perspective:
DeleteYou should be careful with words // because I repeat
things I hear no matter what // I can sound like you
You’ll turn your head in wonder // my voice echoes yours
Mimicking is my talent // so watch your language!
🤗
There's so much more to our aviator friends than we give them credit for. Loved these poems, Yvette!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mark! I appreciate you stopping by and commenting. :-)
DeleteYvi, the first poem is lovely and I like the perspective from the cardinal. The second poem is closer to how (I believe-GULP) the imayo should be crafted. But, I don't know that for sure. I read that the form was used in Kabuki theatre and sang as a song, so it could go either way. It's hard to assume the way to write the imayo when we need more research. I think both poems are outstanding. 💚
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you, Colleen! Based on what we do know, I agree that the second form is probably more accurate since it doesn't use any symbolism. I'm happy you enjoyed both. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. :-)
DeleteGood characterization of two very different birds, Yvette. I've heard that gulls can get downright cheeky when it comes to taking the food of others (including humans!)
ReplyDeleteThey definitely do, Lisa, especially the ones who become used to humans feeding them. Thanks for visiting today! :-)
DeleteThese are wonderful. The form seems like it would be challenging, but your poems, and those of others I've read, work very well.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dan! It was a bit challenging, but it was fun to try something new. Thanks for visiting! :-)
DeleteLoved the bird's point of view 😀
ReplyDeleteThanks, Reena! I had fun with that one. :-)
DeleteHi Yvette, you did a great job with this new form.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I appreciate you visiting and commenting today. :-)
DeleteI like the second one best. I live at the beach so seagulls are always a fascination for me....Rall
ReplyDeleteThey fascinate me as well, Rall! Thanks for sharing! :-)
DeleteI like them both Yvette. Interesting to try a new poetry form.
ReplyDeleteThank you! There is always a learning curve with new forms, but I enjoy learning, so it's fun for me. Thanks for visiting! :-)
DeleteThese are fabulous Yvette ❤️
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you, Ange! I appreciate you stopping by. :-)
DeleteWow, Yvette, not one but two! This is such a difficult form, and I am not yet sure I like the form. But you did a wonderful job with it.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Luanne! It's not a favorite of mine either because the punctuation just feels weird to me, but I still enjoy trying new forms. Thanks for visiting today! :-)
DeleteI'd say you know what you're doing. Music to my ears, the poem is. The seagulls fighting, not so much... hahaha. Thanks for sharing these lovely words. Always a pleasure to read your words. xoxo
ReplyDeleteThank you, Selma! Every time I see sea gulls, I think of the movie "Finding Nemo" where they squawk, "Mine! Mine! Mine!" Lol! Thanks for stopping by. :-)
DeletePigeons and seagulls are very similar both very human 💜💜
ReplyDeleteI agree, Willow! Thanks for visiting and commenting. :-)
DeleteI enjoyed both poems, Yvette! I prefer to give my subjects personality, so this literal form was a hard one for me. I really liked the perspective you gave to your cardinal!
ReplyDeleteThank you, HJ! I enjoyed writing the cardinal poem, so I'm happy you liked it. Thanks for visiting! :-)
DeleteNicely done, Yvette. That's such a tough form, isn't it? And yet you made it look easy. The second one seemed to conform better to the rules, but I enjoyed them both. <3
ReplyDeleteThank you, Diana! I agree that the first one doesn't really fit the rules, but I had to write it. It wasn't an easy form because the rules feel restrictive. I'm happy you liked them. Thanks for sharing! :-)
Delete(Jules) I have heard about Cardinal birds being loved ones - but I do not put too much stock in it since I always have Cardinals at my feeders and they tend to have large or multiple broods.
ReplyDeleteI've definitly seen the 'fights' of gulls on different beaches. Nicely done :)
Thanks, Jules! I appreciate you stopping by and sharing your thoughts. :-)
DeleteI love both of these. I also wrote about the cardinal, from a different perspective, the one looking for it, for hope.
ReplyDeleteBut also... Seagulls. I'm an amputee and was at the shore recently. There was one who was standing with a crowd, watching, waiting for a chip. I stood up and was adjusting my leg and was standing on one foot with the other toe in the sand, very flamingo... This bird copied me. I thought I was going mad until I took my leg off and it pulled its leg all the way up into its feathers to be on one foot with me.
What a cool experience, Sassy! To know that the seagull truly saw you and wanted to be one with you. That's special! Thank you for sharing such a wonderful moment with me. :-)
DeleteBravo! That sums it up!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mark! I appreciate you visiting. :-)
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