As we begin the last full week of this shortest month and begin looking toward spring, I thought it might be fun to experiment with dizains – short poems that have their roots in 15th and 16th century French verse.
Typically, a dizain appears in stichic format (a single stanza). There are only ten lines, and no specific meter is required (although iambic pentameter is sometimes associated with dizain form). A rhyme scheme of a, b, a, b, b, c, c, d, c, d is customary. Eight-line dizains are also seen, and these octets contain a rhyme scheme of a, b, a, b, c, d, c, d. (For this prompt, try to rhyme, but if the rhyme scheme gets in the way of your poem, it's okay to eliminate it!)
Some suggestions:
Write a "dated" dizain about this time of year.
Write a "delicious" dizain about a particular food.
Write a "dreamscape" dizain about a dream you've had (real or imagined).
Write a "dilema" dizain about a conflict in your life.
Write a "dear departed" dizain about someone no longer living.
Write a "dramatic" dizain (try a dramatic monologue).
Write a "dazzling" dizain about something wonderful.
Write a "darling" dizain about a relationship.
Write a "doggy" dizain about a dog (or other pet).
Write a "daffy" (humorous) dizain.
