by Ashley Lister

I’m keeping it short this month. I’ve got a book release on
July 7th and a launch party on July 10th. Raven and Skull is my first foray into
horror and, so far, I’m enjoying good reviews. (If you’re interested in finding
out more about Raven and Skull, please check it out on Amazon).

Because of this release and launch, I’m running round in a
haze of marketing and promotion that’s not giving me two full minutes to think
about poetry. Therefore, I thought it would be fun here this month to look at a
very short syllabic form: the lanturne poem.

one
finger
deep inside
then another
Yes!

The lanturne poem is a five line syllabic form that follows
the structure of 1, 2, 3, 4, 1. The idea is that a finished lanturne poem
should look like a lantern. I like this one because it’s so succinct. The
limited number of syllables forces a very strict use of language and there’s no
scope for waffle.

Kiss:
your lips
against mine
tongues intertwined
and…

…more
urgent
hands explore
flesh touches flesh
and…

…then
bodies
together
followed by a
kiss

As always, I look forward to seeing your poems in the
comments box below.