Gwawdodyn

I came across this poem form in the January 2014, issue of Writer’s Digest and thought I’d give it a shot.  It’s called a Gwawdodyn – some wacky Welsh form that requires rhyme and restricts syllable count in each line but ultimately warps the end product by robbing it of a natural lyricism – or at least my attempt did.

The rules are to create the poem in stanzas of four with a syllable count of 9/9/10/9.  Each of the nine syllable lines must end in a matching rhyme, while the third line must contain its own set of two unique rhymes.  The poem can be as brief as one stanza but I’ve tried it in two. 

Weak Tea

You are the sweet magnolia tree

Refusing to be sampled for free

Stand pretty at first, inside you're reversed

Most confusing seductress to me

String up my kite and toss it with cheer

Ask you to help you buckle in fear

The weakness I see infuriates me

And the friendship soon ends its career