How to Write a Pantoum Poem
"Pantoum" is a poetic form that relies on the repitition of lines for emphasis. Writing a pantoum is relatively easy if you follow the correct pattern...
In a pantoum, each stanza (paragraph) contains 4 lines. The second and fourth lines of each stanza become the first and third lines of the next stanza. This pattern is repeated until the last stanza. A pantoum's last stanza borrows the first and third lines of the poem, making the first line and the last line identical.
Therefore, the repeating pattern of a 7-stanza pantoum (in numeric form) would be as follows:
1,2,3,4---2,5,4,6---5,7,6,8---7,9,8,10---9,11,10,12---11,13,12,14---13,3,14,1
Check out my example below, then try writing your own pantoum ;)
Love & Sin
I cannot keep you
We could never be
Because our lies are true
You don’t belong to me.
We could never be
Why can’t I call you mine?
You don’t belong to me
So lay it on the line
Why can’t I call you mine?
Our puzzle pieces fit
So lay it on the line
As I wallow in this pit
Our puzzle pieces fit
Two destined hearts denied
As I wallow in this pit
Devouring tears, our souls collide
Two destined hearts denied
Hide pain behind friendship
Devouring tears, our souls collide
Never let the secret slip
Hide pain behind friendship
Love and Sin, the Deadly Match
Never let the secret slip
I know I’m too attached
Love and Sin, the Deadly Match
Because our lies are true
I know I’m too attached
and I cannot keep you.
