The Rondeau

photgraphs by D.R. Wagner

First: The prompt for the assignment then we will look at what everyone did with the form

The rondeau is a form of verse also used in English language poetry. It makes use of refrains, repeated according to a certain stylized pattern. It was customarily regarded as a challenge to arrange for these refrains to contribute to the meaning of the poem in as succinct and poignant a manner as possible. The rondeau consists of thirteen lines of eight syllables, plus two refrains (which are half lines, each of four syllables), employing, altogether, only three rhymes. It has three stanzas and its rhyme scheme is as follows: (1) A A B B A (2) A A B with refrain: C (3) A A B B A with concluding refrain C. The refrain must be identical with the beginning of the first line.

IN FLANDERS FIELDS
by John McCrae:
In Flanders fields the poppies grow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place, and in the sky,
The larks, still bravely singing, fly,
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead; short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe!
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high!
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

We Wear the Mask

Paul Lawrence Dunbar (1872-1906)

We wear the mask that grins and lies,
It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,
This debt we pay to human guile;
With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,
And mouth with myriad subtleties
Why should the world be over-wise
In counting all our tears and sighs?
Nay, let them only see up, while
We wear the mask
We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries
To thee from tortured souls arise.
We sing, but oh the clay is vile
Beneath our feet, and long the mile;
But let the world dream otherwise,
We wear the mask!

The challenge of writing a rondeau is finding an opening line worth repeating and choosing two rhyme sounds that offer enough word choices. Modern rondeaus are often playful; for example, "Rondel" by Frank O’Hara begins with this mysterious directive: "Door of America, mention my fear to the cigars," which becomes the poem’s refrain.

Here is the student work: Not everyone is represented but they eventually will be

-Dillon Shaw

I need to be alone

I need to be alone, you see

Some time to explore why I'm me

For too long I've relied on you

On my own I don't know what's true

That's why when you approach I flee

I need some time for discovery

It's time I made a recovery

So please don't be so sad and blue

I need to be

I once thought we fit to a tee

I know now that I was crazy

We both need to find something new

Where to go next I have no clue

All I know is that I'm lonely

I need to be

Lynn Park

This is our feast

In this dry, sun-scorched land, we scramble with busy feet

If you ask us why we run, we’ll say we are preparing to eat

Fruit galore, potatoes and steaks

What’s for desserts? Perhaps lemon cake

Brownies with frosting, sugared and sweet

Aroma of juicy steaks, we smell on the street

People stop and ask us, ”Is there some kind of meat?”

Of course, of course, join us and take a break

This is our feast

With smiles and welcomes, heartwarmingly we greet

Such feast in this weather, Isn’t this neat?

Savor the taste, don’t worry about a stomachache!

This is the reason why we grill and bake

Rejuvenate and feed all the hungry to meet

This is our feast

-

Salena Huang

On Our Journey

On our journey as we set sail,

Leaving behind our old dirt trail

Our desire to go and explore,

What lies under the ocean floor

Is on a whole different scale.

Rest assured it won't be junk mail,

For we refuse to concede fail

Upon our grim graves we last swore.

On our journey,

After months the food had turned stale,

Our complexion turned sheet-white pale,

The days passed we couldn't keep score

Before we returned back to shore.

For I can't go in more detail,

On our journey.

Zeeniya Yahiya

When I see you. . .

When I see you the world seems a little brighter

The sun grins and the clouds soar a little higher

Every scar and every tear becomes worthwhile

The snow drops melt at the sight of your smile

My heart, in your arms, feels a lot lighter

I forget the world as you hug me tighter

I look in your eyes and every moment feels sweeter

It fades it vanishes, even an obstacle most vile

When I see you.

The mid-spring white rose blooms a little prettier

And the summer night breeze swirls a little warmer

With you, I would go the extra mile

Your sincere soft kisses make this ride worthwhile

The dark clouds withdraw and the sky is clearer

When I see you.

Nancy Pulciano

Peaceful was the water

Peaceful was the water, pretty and blue.
A knowledge provided to very few.
How I wished to be the wave,
crashing down so brave.
Like a love I once knew,
a love that was true.
But now it’s an apathetic stew,
tasting bitter and grave.
Peaceful was the water.
A peace so profound and new.
Envious was I of the water’s hues.
Happiness it gave
to those who always quave,
from a love as I still do.
Peaceful was the water.

Kate DeCoste

WE COVER OUR FACES

We cover our faces to hide our eyes

Swollen with tears and angered with lies

Cornered within, we watch in denial

A blond little boy who can't even smile

In truth we know, no one denies

He's different, not normal, the truth we despise

But even though there's lows, there's gonna be highs

We just have to wait awhile

We cover our faces

Because it's too hard otherwise

To watch as he cries

One more step, just to make the mile

He will always have one more, to pass the smallest trial

In the mean time we wait and hope to grow wise

We cover our faces

Gregory Tam

By The Lakeside

By the lakeside the people lay

Beautiful view just like the bay

The flowers continue to grow

Spring is a-coming, that we know

The rocks by the lakeside are grey

Simple, but they reside with grace

Some fallen branches rest sideways

Fish in the lake swim fast below

By the lakeside

There is an elegant cafe

Sailboats in the lake slightly sway

Reflections of the mountain snow

Above the lake a bright rainbow

Many children come out to play

By the lakeside