Day Seven comes to us from Gloria Gonsalves, who challenges us all to write atritina. The tritina is a shorter cousin to the sestina, involving three, three-line stanzas, and a final concluding line. Three “end words” are used to conclude the lines of each stanza, in a set pattern of ABC, CAB, BCA, and all three end words appear together in the final line.
Tritina for Susannah
The water off these rocks is green and cold.
The sandless coast takes the tide in its mouth,
as a wolf brings down a deer or lifts its child.
I walked this bay before you were my child.
Your fingers stinging brightly in the cold,
I take each one and warm it in my mouth.
Though I’ve known this shore for years, my mouth
holds no charms of use to you, my child.
You will have to learn the words to ward off cold
and know them cold, child, in your open mouth.
–David Yezzi
silent saviour I wonder who left you here so
parked on a stand,once looked so grand,you
still can be and are the survivor in the land
you,two wheeled machine racing so across native land;
though loved ridden wheeled and enjoyed
you help carry foursome family , milk cans
on both sides balanced loaded truck like,fans
wait for the burr,roar enjoy,as cans clank and fans clap;
and so here you stand on lonely road side,silent
brave alone in power hidden inside the engine
with one kick get alive stir all who ride,joys beside
when thrill is joy engine starts,friendly hold beside,race begins.
