Despite the way it sounds, a sandwich poem is not inherently a poem about sandwiches (although it could be if you wish). The word "sandwich" refers to the form because the poem's meter and rhyme scheme are set up like a sandwich.

The basic structure of this form is a four-line stanza. The first and fourth lines have the same meter. These lines form the "bread" of you sandwich. I like to use septameter (seven feet to a line), but you can use whatever you want. The two middle lines, your "filling," are as close as you can get to half the meter of the first and fourth line. For instance, if my first and fourth lines were septameter, my second would be trimeter (three feet to a line) and my third would be tetrameter (four feet to a line). The short lines are sandwiched between the longer lines, thus the name of the form.

The rhyme scheme is figured out the same way. The "bread" lines should rhyme with each other. The same goes for the filling lines. Basically, the scheme should look like this: ABBA, CDDC, etc.

Here's an example of a sandwich poem I've written. Hopefully, it will better illustrate the form:

The poet shivered slightly as he scribbled down his last.

A shining masterpiece!

And soon, he'd have his sweet release!

And all his years of hardship, they would fade into the past.

The man of ninety seven years, or maybe one month shy,

Had slaved his life away

Just waiting for that one sweet day

When inspiration moved his pen, and he at last, could die.

The words he wrote were not so sad as such a man should be,

But singingly they sang.

Of hope and joy, like bells they rang.

They pondered on the splendor of the Heavens he would see.

At last, the poet felt no want, no hunger, no caprice.

He wrote the final word,

His spirit soaring like a bird,

And, feeling free, he closed his eyes and slipped away in peace.

Sandwich poems are fun and challenging. Try writing one and see what you can create.