Trijan Refrain

The Trijan Refrain is an invented form created by Jan Turner. It consists of three 9-line stanzas, for a total of 27 lines. Line 1 is the same in all three stanzas, although there is a variation of the form that allows a different line at the beginning of each stanza. This form has both a syllable count and a rhyme scheme. As well, the first four syllables of line five in each stanza are repeated as a double-refrain for lines seven and eight.

Schematic:

Line 1: xxxxxxxa
Line 2: xxxxxb
Line 3: xxxxxxxa
Line 4: xxxxxb
Line 5: xxxxxxxc
Line 6: xxxxxxxc
Line 7: first four syllables of line 5
Line 8: first four syllables of line 5
Line 9: xxxxxxxc


While I enjoy the rhythm of this poem when reading it, I have to admit it was a bit challenging to write.


Siren’s Song

Within the sea there dwells a maid,
So fair of face and form –
Upon a rock she sits, displayed,
The better to perform.
She sings it well, her siren’s song,
You can’t resist though you are strong,
She sings it well
She sings it well
And beckons you to come along.

While sailors try hard to resist
They cannot help but fail
For once the song a soul has kist
The spirit soon grows pale.
How bitter sweet this song she sings
The sound wafts by on angel wings
How bittersweet
How bittersweet
A dirge for what the future brings.

Can those without a soul regret
Their place in mythic lore?
They do what fate impels them, yet
Perhaps they long for more.
Their time is past, the myths they fade
The legend’s just a masquerade
Their time is past
Their time is past
It’s time to end the serenade.