Monotetra

The Monotetra is an invented form developed by Michael Walker. It can have any number of stanzas of four lines each (quatrains), but must have at least two.

The “mono” part of the name comes from the fact that each stanza contains a mono-rhyme, so that the patter of the stanzas is aaaa, bbbb, cccc, and so on.

The “tetra” in the name of the form is because each line of each stanza is written in tetrameter – which means that each line has eight (8) syllables.

The other aspect of the Monotetra is that the fourth line of each stanza is a repeating four-syllable phrase, like an echo, to make it look like a refrain.

To be honest, I rather enjoyed this form, I find it very natural to write in tetrameter. This form is much easier than it looks.


The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

The dark night of the soul has come
I try my best not to succumb
But it’s too late, it has begun
What have I done, what have I done?

I delved in things best left alone
Done things for which I must atone
Released the demon from his home
Trapped in a stone, trapped in a stone.

I found the spells in books so old
The pages thick and soiled with mold
Some of the letters etched in gold
It was so cold, it was so cold.

Once loosed the spell can’t be contained
And in the end what have I gained?
There’s no one left who can explain
There’s only pain, there’s only pain.

No one to hear my silent screams
Or witness all my shattered dreams
This is what comes of all my schemes
The darkness gleams, the darkness gleams.