The Versesmith

O vi or O vee is a form from India which was commonly used in the folk-songs and narrative poems of the 12th century, and is still used today.  There are two forms, literary and women's.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ovi_(poetry) O vi is written in 4 line stanzas, any number of stanzas.   8/8/8/less than 8 lines 1, 2, 3 in each stanza rhymed, line 4 unrhymed   O ut of Order  gets its title from the sign on the bathroom door in this pen and ink drawing I got at a Goodwill, framed, for $1.65.   I read the sign, was thunderstruck. It's Out of Order , just my luck. No other place, I'm kinda stuck. I might just wet my pants! Perhaps though, I could sidle in, simply shut the door, just begin. But, would that be a mortal sin to disobey a sign? I've stood before the door too long. My need to get in much too strong, that even though I know it's wrong, I push my way inside. ©202 6 Lisa Smith Nelson. All Ri...

A N once  form is a poem created by an individual poet, usually for one-time use.  Depending on the poet's preference, it may be based on a pre-existing form, but will have its own structure.   So, basically, a nonce is a form for one-time use.  I wrote n ine stanzas, two rhyming lines each, with n ine syllables in each line, so a lot of N s. N ativity is my name for this diptych (an artwork in two connected parts), a term from Greek meaning " pair of writing tablets ."  I found it in the Goodwill Outlet bins, and it's one of my favorite pieces.  The artist is  Marlinde von Ruhs , which is rather incredible to find!  The two parts are hinged, trimmed in gold braid, with the backs covered in turquoise felt with beading.  It's the most incredible nativity I've ever seen! Marlinde often mounted her smaller works in felt or velvet, brocade, and gold braiding.  According to some sources she didn't want them to be just paintings in a f...

A  M ondo is a poem with a question and an answer, often written by two poets in collaboration.  The focus of a M ondo is on nature.  It is comprised of two 5/7/7 stanzas, the first being the question, the second the answer.  M agpie Goose (artist's title) is a limited edition (154/500) print by Australian artist Doris Gingingara (1946-1999).  I bought it as Goodwill for $2.06 with the signed and dated (9/99) Certificate of Authenticity on the back. Beautiful you are. I will ask you only this; are your eggs pure gold? My eggs are golden, this is true, for they contain my priceless goslings. ©202 6 Lisa Smith Nelson. All Rights Reserved  

L anturne,   or L antern poetry has only two requirements and forms more or less a Japanese lantern shape.  5 lines syllable count per line: 1/2/3/4/1  The L ighthouse is a lithograph copyright Henry B. Sandler Co. Inc. New York City published around 1962-1964.  The artist of the original painting is shown as Alfieri, most likely a publisher house artist or contract artist.  The name Alfieri is found on multiple Sandler Co. prints from the 1960s.  I found this in its original frame (Sandler lithographs were sold in frames, ready to hang) in the Goodwill Outlet bins.  10¢ a pound glass price! his safety dependent on the steady light ©202 6 Lisa Smith Nelson. All Rights Reserved    

  K imo  is the Israeli version of haiku.  Like haiku it is 3 lines, however the syllable count differs.  A K imo is  10/7/6.  It is not rhymed, and is a single image, no movement, frozen like a photo.  I'm not sure how well I did with that part! These are titled by the artist, K analen I and K analen II, monotype mixed medias by Helle (Melchoir) Hamilton 1989. K analen means "canal."  A monotype is a one of a kind artwork, which is why these are numbered 1/1.  Ms. Hamilton was born in Denmark and moved to the U.S. in 1965 at the invitation of her grandfather, Lauritz Melchior, a world-famous tenor who also performed in musical films. Two years later she married David Hamilton, the brother of actor George Hamilton, who was the best man at the wedding.  I rescued these, literally, as one was fallen out of the frame, from the Goodwill Outlet bins.  They still had the gallery artist's information on the backs.  I paid $1 each....

The J oseph's Star was created in 2007 by Christina R. J ussaume in memory of her father, J oseph.  It is a syllabic form with the following "rules" that should make the poem rather star-shaped. 8 lines 1/3/5/7/7/5/3/1 Unrhymed Any subject, and no limit to the number of stanzas, but each should be a complete statement. Center aligned  This sketch came professionally framed from St. Vincent de Paul for only 50¢. It is signed Paunch, and on the back is a doodle that reads PaunchoDoodles.    Jazz time to dance so strike up the band flute and drum and sousaphone tap your toes and nod your head leave off your worries tonight nothing like Jazz ©202 6 Lisa Smith Nelson. All Rights Reserved