Sunday, March 29, 2009

A collaborative sestina! Why not!

We have something special in the works...we really do. In the meantime, we thought it might be fun to try some collaborative poetry--even more fun if we try a collaborative sestina!

The form appears complicated, but can be broken down pretty simply: 6 stanzas of six lines each. Each stanza uses the same six end words, in a different order in each stanza.

To be clear:
Stanza 1: 123456
Stanza 2: 615243
Stanza 3: 364125
Stanza 4: 532614
Stanza 5: 451362
Stanza 6: 246531

To begin, we will need people to contribute our first six lines. Whatever words each person's line ends with will become our six repeated words. So give it some thought!

To keep it simple, each time you contribute a line, please cut and paste the previous lines into your new comment.

Off we go!

31 comments:

  1. I'll get things started:

    When you've had enough of rain

    ReplyDelete
  2. I like this! Great idea!

    When you've had enough of rain
    and your yard is filled with mud

    ReplyDelete
  3. When you've had enough of rain
    and your yard is filled with mud
    it might be time to burrow inside

    ReplyDelete
  4. When you've had enough of rain
    and your yard is filled with mud
    it might be time to burrow inside
    the couch. It may be time to blanket

    ReplyDelete
  5. When you've had enough of rain
    and your yard is filled with mud
    it might be time to burrow inside
    the couch. It may be time to blanket
    the children in what cloth is clean

    ReplyDelete
  6. When you've had enough of rain
    and your yard is filled with mud
    it might be time to burrow inside
    the couch. It may be time to blanket
    the children in what cloth is clean
    and read them a windblown story.

    ReplyDelete
  7. ok folks, we have our 6 end words:

    rain
    mud
    inside
    blanket
    clean
    story

    now let's sestina!

    ReplyDelete
  8. When you've had enough of rain
    and your yard is filled with mud
    it might be time to burrow inside
    the couch. It may be time to blanket
    the children in what cloth is clean
    and read them a windblown story.

    Later, open the windows of your second-story

    ReplyDelete
  9. When you've had enough of rain
    and your yard is filled with mud
    it might be time to burrow inside
    the couch. It may be time to blanket
    the children in what cloth is clean
    and read them a windblown story.

    Later, open the windows of your second-story
    castle. After all, you've earned your reign

    ReplyDelete
  10. When you've had enough of rain
    and your yard is filled with mud
    it might be time to burrow inside
    the couch. It may be time to blanket
    the children in what cloth is clean
    and read them a windblown story.

    Later, open the windows of your second-story
    castle. After all, you've earned your reign
    with mops and Pledge and Mr. Clean

    ReplyDelete
  11. When you've had enough of rain
    and your yard is filled with mud
    it might be time to burrow inside
    the couch. It may be time to blanket
    the children in what cloth is clean
    and read them a windblown story.

    Later, open the windows of your second-story
    castle. After all, you've earned your reign
    with mops and Pledge and Mr. Clean
    raging pre-dawn raids on soles of mud

    ReplyDelete
  12. When you've had enough of rain
    and your yard is filled with mud
    it might be time to burrow inside
    the couch. It may be time to blanket
    the children in what cloth is clean
    and read them a windblown story.

    Later, open the windows of your second-story
    castle. After all, you've earned your reign
    with mops and Pledge and Mr. Clean
    raging pre-dawn raids on soles of mud.
    Stick your head out and let the wind blanket

    ReplyDelete
  13. When you've had enough of rain
    and your yard is filled with mud
    it might be time to burrow inside
    the couch. It may be time to blanket
    the children in what cloth is clean
    and read them a windblown story.

    Later, open the windows of your second-story
    castle. After all, you've earned your reign
    with mops and Pledge and Mr. Clean
    raging pre-dawn raids on soles of mud.
    Stick your head out and let the wind blanket
    your wailing heart, so empty inside

    ReplyDelete
  14. When you've had enough of rain
    and your yard is filled with mud
    it might be time to burrow inside
    the couch. It may be time to blanket
    the children in what cloth is clean
    and read them a windblown story.

    Later, open the windows of your second-story
    castle. After all, you've earned your reign
    with mops and Pledge and Mr. Clean
    raging pre-dawn raids on soles of mud.
    Stick your head out and let the wind blanket
    your wailing heart, so empty inside.

    Let the fresh air tunnel inside

    ReplyDelete
  15. When you've had enough of rain
    and your yard is filled with mud
    it might be time to burrow inside
    the couch. It may be time to blanket
    the children in what cloth is clean
    and read them a windblown story.

    Later, open the windows of your second-story
    castle. After all, you've earned your reign
    with mops and Pledge and Mr. Clean
    raging pre-dawn raids on soles of mud.
    Stick your head out and let the wind blanket
    your wailing heart, so empty inside.

    Let the fresh air tunnel inside
    flesh the bad karma from your dusty history

    ReplyDelete
  16. When you've had enough of rain
    and your yard is filled with mud
    it might be time to burrow inside
    the couch. It may be time to blanket
    the children in what cloth is clean
    and read them a windblown story.

    Later, open the windows of your second-story
    castle. After all, you've earned your reign
    with mops and Pledge and Mr. Clean
    raging pre-dawn raids on soles of mud.
    Stick your head out and let the wind blanket
    your wailing heart, so empty inside.

    Let the fresh air tunnel inside
    flesh the bad karma from your dusty history,
    unpin the sun skulking behind the blanket

    ReplyDelete
  17. When you've had enough of rain
    and your yard is filled with mud
    it might be time to burrow inside
    the couch. It may be time to blanket
    the children in what cloth is clean
    and read them a windblown story.

    Later, open the windows of your second-story
    castle. After all, you've earned your reign
    with mops and Pledge and Mr. Clean
    raging pre-dawn raids on soles of mud.
    Stick your head out and let the wind blanket
    your wailing heart, so empty inside.

    Let the fresh air tunnel inside
    flesh the bad karma from your dusty history,
    unpin the sun skulking behind the blanket
    and absolve yourself of the constant rain.

    ReplyDelete
  18. When you've had enough of rain
    and your yard is filled with mud
    it might be time to burrow inside
    the couch. It may be time to blanket
    the children in what cloth is clean
    and read them a windblown story.

    Later, open the windows of your second-story
    castle. After all, you've earned your reign
    with mops and Pledge and Mr. Clean
    raging pre-dawn raids on soles of mud.
    Stick your head out and let the wind blanket
    your wailing heart, so empty inside.

    Let the fresh air tunnel inside
    flesh the bad karma from your dusty history,
    unpin the sun skulking behind the blanket
    and absolve yourself of the constant rain.
    Sip it like chardonnay, paint the mud

    ReplyDelete
  19. When you've had enough of rain
    and your yard is filled with mud
    it might be time to burrow inside
    the couch. It may be time to blanket
    the children in what cloth is clean
    and read them a windblown story.

    Later, open the windows of your second-story
    castle. After all, you've earned your reign
    with mops and Pledge and Mr. Clean
    raging pre-dawn raids on soles of mud.
    Stick your head out and let the wind blanket
    your wailing heart, so empty inside.

    Let the fresh air tunnel inside
    flesh the bad karma from your dusty history,
    unpin the sun skulking behind the blanket
    and absolve yourself of the constant rain.
    Sip it like chardonnay, paint the mud
    some glossy shade of not quite clean

    ReplyDelete
  20. When you've had enough of rain
    and your yard is filled with mud
    it might be time to burrow inside
    the couch. It may be time to blanket
    the children in what cloth is clean
    and read them a windblown story.

    Later, open the windows of your second-story
    castle. After all, you've earned your reign
    with mops and Pledge and Mr. Clean
    raging pre-dawn raids on soles of mud.
    Stick your head out and let the wind blanket
    your wailing heart, so empty inside.

    Let the fresh air tunnel inside
    flesh the bad karma from your dusty history,
    unpin the sun skulking behind the blanket
    and absolve yourself of the constant rain.
    Sip it like chardonnay, paint the mud
    some glossy shade of not quite clean

    Grab a piece of paper, white and clean

    ReplyDelete
  21. When you've had enough of rain
    and your yard is filled with mud
    it might be time to burrow inside
    the couch. It may be time to blanket
    the children in what cloth is clean
    and read them a windblown story.

    Later, open the windows of your second-story
    castle. After all, you've earned your reign
    with mops and Pledge and Mr. Clean
    raging pre-dawn raids on soles of mud.
    Stick your head out and let the wind blanket
    your wailing heart, so empty inside.

    Let the fresh air tunnel inside
    flesh the bad karma from your dusty history,
    unpin the sun skulking behind the blanket
    and absolve yourself of the constant rain.
    Sip it like chardonnay, paint the mud
    some glossy shade of not quite clean

    Grab a piece of paper, white and clean
    as your bones, free of marrow, seen from inside

    ReplyDelete
  22. When you've had enough of rain
    and your yard is filled with mud
    it might be time to burrow inside
    the couch. It may be time to blanket
    the children in what cloth is clean
    and read them a windblown story.

    Later, open the windows of your second-story
    castle. After all, you've earned your reign
    with mops and Pledge and Mr. Clean
    raging pre-dawn raids on soles of mud.
    Stick your head out and let the wind blanket
    your wailing heart, so empty inside.

    Let the fresh air tunnel inside
    flesh the bad karma from your dusty history,
    unpin the sun skulking behind the blanket
    and absolve yourself of the constant rain.
    Sip it like chardonnay, paint the mud
    some glossy shade of not quite clean

    Grab a piece of paper, white and clean
    as your bones, free of marrow, seen from inside,
    close your eyes and write away the mud

    ReplyDelete
  23. When you've had enough of rain
    and your yard is filled with mud
    it might be time to burrow inside
    the couch. It may be time to blanket
    the children in what cloth is clean
    and read them a windblown story.

    Later, open the windows of your second-story
    castle. After all, you've earned your reign
    with mops and Pledge and Mr. Clean
    raging pre-dawn raids on soles of mud.
    Stick your head out and let the wind blanket
    your wailing heart, so empty inside.

    Let the fresh air tunnel inside
    flesh the bad karma from your dusty history,
    unpin the sun skulking behind the blanket
    and absolve yourself of the constant rain.
    Sip it like chardonnay, paint the mud
    some glossy shade of not quite clean

    Grab a piece of paper, white and clean
    as your bones, free of marrow, seen from inside,
    close your eyes and write away the mud,
    let it seep from that cavity where you store e-

    ReplyDelete
  24. When you've had enough of rain
    and your yard is filled with mud
    it might be time to burrow inside
    the couch. It may be time to blanket
    the children in what cloth is clean
    and read them a windblown story.

    Later, open the windows of your second-story
    castle. After all, you've earned your reign
    with mops and Pledge and Mr. Clean
    raging pre-dawn raids on soles of mud.
    Stick your head out and let the wind blanket
    your wailing heart, so empty inside.

    Let the fresh air tunnel inside
    flesh the bad karma from your dusty history,
    unpin the sun skulking behind the blanket
    and absolve yourself of the constant rain.
    Sip it like chardonnay, paint the mud
    some glossy shade of not quite clean

    Grab a piece of paper, white and clean
    as your bones, free of marrow, seen from inside,
    close your eyes and write away the mud,
    let it seep from that cavity where you store e-
    merging thoughts against the months of rain

    ReplyDelete
  25. When you've had enough of rain
    and your yard is filled with mud
    it might be time to burrow inside
    the couch. It may be time to blanket
    the children in what cloth is clean
    and read them a windblown story.

    Later, open the windows of your second-story
    castle. After all, you've earned your reign
    with mops and Pledge and Mr. Clean
    raging pre-dawn raids on soles of mud.
    Stick your head out and let the wind blanket
    your wailing heart, so empty inside.

    Let the fresh air tunnel inside
    flesh the bad karma from your dusty history,
    unpin the sun skulking behind the blanket
    and absolve yourself of the constant rain.
    Sip it like chardonnay, paint the mud
    some glossy shade of not quite clean

    Grab a piece of paper, white and clean
    as your bones, free of marrow, seen from inside,
    close your eyes and write away the mud,
    let it seep from that cavity where you store e-
    merging thoughts against the months of rain
    and wrap round you dreams, as if a lover's blanket

    ReplyDelete
  26. When you've had enough of rain
    and your yard is filled with mud
    it might be time to burrow inside
    the couch. It may be time to blanket
    the children in what cloth is clean
    and read them a windblown story.

    Later, open the windows of your second-story
    castle. After all, you've earned your reign
    with mops and Pledge and Mr. Clean
    raging pre-dawn raids on soles of mud.
    Stick your head out and let the wind blanket
    your wailing heart, so empty inside.

    Let the fresh air tunnel inside
    flesh the bad karma from your dusty history,
    unpin the sun skulking behind the blanket
    and absolve yourself of the constant rain.
    Sip it like chardonnay, paint the mud
    some glossy shade of not quite clean

    Grab a piece of paper, white and clean
    as your bones, free of marrow, seen from inside,
    close your eyes and write away the mud,
    let it seep from that cavity where you store e-
    merging thoughts against the months of rain
    and wrap round you dreams, as if a lover's blanket

    Emerge in love's memories, as the fragrance blankets

    ReplyDelete
  27. When you've had enough of rain
    and your yard is filled with mud
    it might be time to burrow inside
    the couch. It may be time to blanket
    the children in what cloth is clean
    and read them a windblown story.

    Later, open the windows of your second-story
    castle. After all, you've earned your reign
    with mops and Pledge and Mr. Clean
    raging pre-dawn raids on soles of mud.
    Stick your head out and let the wind blanket
    your wailing heart, so empty inside.

    Let the fresh air tunnel inside
    flesh the bad karma from your dusty history,
    unpin the sun skulking behind the blanket
    and absolve yourself of the constant rain.
    Sip it like chardonnay, paint the mud
    some glossy shade of not quite clean

    Grab a piece of paper, white and clean
    as your bones, free of marrow, seen from inside,
    close your eyes and write away the mud,
    let it seep from that cavity where you store e-
    merging thoughts against the months of rain
    and wrap round you dreams, as if a lover's blanket

    Emerge in love's memories, as the fragrance blankets
    the skunk smell of a wasted life. Clean

    ReplyDelete
  28. When you've had enough of rain
    and your yard is filled with mud
    it might be time to burrow inside
    the couch. It may be time to blanket
    the children in what cloth is clean
    and read them a windblown story.

    Later, open the windows of your second-story
    castle. After all, you've earned your reign
    with mops and Pledge and Mr. Clean
    raging pre-dawn raids on soles of mud.
    Stick your head out and let the wind blanket
    your wailing heart, so empty inside.

    Let the fresh air tunnel inside
    flesh the bad karma from your dusty history,
    unpin the sun skulking behind the blanket
    and absolve yourself of the constant rain.
    Sip it like chardonnay, paint the mud
    some glossy shade of not quite clean

    Grab a piece of paper, white and clean
    as your bones, free of marrow, seen from inside,
    close your eyes and write away the mud,
    let it seep from that cavity where you store e-
    merging thoughts against the months of rain
    and wrap round you dreams, as if a lover's blanket

    Emerge in love's memories, as the fragrance blankets
    the skunk smell of a wasted life. Clean
    fresh awakening; as of rainbow after rain

    ReplyDelete
  29. When you've had enough of rain
    and your yard is filled with mud
    it might be time to burrow inside
    the couch. It may be time to blanket
    the children in what cloth is clean
    and read them a windblown story.

    Later, open the windows of your second-story
    castle. After all, you've earned your reign
    with mops and Pledge and Mr. Clean
    raging pre-dawn raids on soles of mud.
    Stick your head out and let the wind blanket
    your wailing heart, so empty inside.

    Let the fresh air tunnel inside
    flesh the bad karma from your dusty history,
    unpin the sun skulking behind the blanket
    and absolve yourself of the constant rain.
    Sip it like chardonnay, paint the mud
    some glossy shade of not quite clean

    Grab a piece of paper, white and clean
    as your bones, free of marrow, seen from inside,
    close your eyes and write away the mud,
    let it seep from that cavity where you store e-
    merging thoughts against the months of rain
    and wrap round you dreams, as if a lover's blanket

    Emerge in love's memories, as the fragrance blankets
    the skunk smell of a wasted life. Clean
    fresh awakening; as of rainbow after rain
    Climb up the spine of colors then slide down the inside

    ReplyDelete
  30. When you've had enough of rain
    and your yard is filled with mud
    it might be time to burrow inside
    the couch. It may be time to blanket
    the children in what cloth is clean
    and read them a windblown story.

    Later, open the windows of your second-story
    castle. After all, you've earned your reign
    with mops and Pledge and Mr. Clean
    raging pre-dawn raids on soles of mud.
    Stick your head out and let the wind blanket
    your wailing heart, so empty inside.

    Let the fresh air tunnel inside
    flesh the bad karma from your dusty history,
    unpin the sun skulking behind the blanket
    and absolve yourself of the constant rain.
    Sip it like chardonnay, paint the mud
    some glossy shade of not quite clean

    Grab a piece of paper, white and clean
    as your bones, free of marrow, seen from inside,
    close your eyes and write away the mud,
    let it seep from that cavity where you store e-
    merging thoughts against the months of rain
    and wrap round you dreams, as if a lover's blanket

    Emerge in love's memories, as the fragrance blankets
    the skunk smell of a wasted life. Clean
    fresh awakening; as of rainbow after rain
    Climb up the spine of colors then slide down the inside
    Turning upside down and inside out the story

    ReplyDelete
  31. When you've had enough of rain
    and your yard is filled with mud
    it might be time to burrow inside
    the couch. It may be time to blanket
    the children in what cloth is clean
    and read them a windblown story.

    Later, open the windows of your second-story
    castle. After all, you've earned your reign
    with mops and Pledge and Mr. Clean
    raging pre-dawn raids on soles of mud.
    Stick your head out and let the wind blanket
    your wailing heart, so empty inside.

    Let the fresh air tunnel inside
    flesh the bad karma from your dusty history,
    unpin the sun skulking behind the blanket
    and absolve yourself of the constant rain.
    Sip it like chardonnay, paint the mud
    some glossy shade of not quite clean

    Grab a piece of paper, white and clean
    as your bones, free of marrow, seen from inside,
    close your eyes and write away the mud,
    let it seep from that cavity where you store e-
    merging thoughts against the months of rain
    and wrap round you dreams, as if a lover's blanket

    Emerge in love's memories, as the fragrance blankets
    the skunk smell of a wasted life. Clean
    fresh awakening; as of rainbow after rain
    Climb up the spine of colors then slide down the inside
    Turning upside down and inside out the story
    of birthday cakes made out of mud

    ReplyDelete