Poetic Techniques

Rhyme Schemes And Patterns In

Poetry
Rhyming

poems are determined by the

ending words of the lines. Not all poems
follow a rhyme scheme, but for those that
do, there are different patterns each stanza
follows.
Source:
http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/ar

Rhyme Schemes In Poetry

While not all poems rhyme, some follow a certain

rhyming scheme, adding to the rhythm of the poem. The
last word of each line is what we look at when discussing
a rhyme scheme.

Rhyming words are words that have the same ending

sound (from the last vowel sound through the end of the
word). It's important to listen to the sound of the words
and not just look at the spelling; there are many words
that have a similar spelling but do not have the same
sound.

For example, "do" and "go" look like they should rhyme, but they don't.
The same goes for "lost" and "post."

It goes the other way as well. There are words that do not look like
rhyming words because of different spellings, but they do rhyme.

Some examples include:

"blue" and "through

"true" and "you"

"said" and "red"

Reading aloud a poem helps you hear

the rhyming words.
Letters

are used to denote the rhyming

scheme in a stanza. Each time the
rhyme changes, another letter is
introduced.

 For

example, if the following words were the ending of

lines in a poem, the rhyming scheme would be ABAB.
...sat
...cap
....mat
....lap

 "Sat"

and "mat" rhyme, so the same letter

is used (A). "Cap" and "lap" rhyme, so the
same letter is used (B). Since "sat" does not
rhyme with "cap," they cannot share the
same letter. Each time a new rhyme set is
introduced, a new letter must be used.

Take a look at these

variations in rhyme
scheme.

AABB
Many

poems that follow the AABB

pattern are broken into quatrains, which
are four line stanzas, where the first and
second lines rhyme and the third and
fourth lines rhyme.

Examine

the following example

Missing You
My eyes fill up in tears,
as I miss you through the years,
I lie in bed at night,
as I think of this scary fright.
I
I
I
I

love you with all my heart,

wish we wouldn't have to be apart,
keep thinking that this can't be real,
wish you only knew how I feel.

Tears roll down my face,

To see you in such a happy place,
I hope we will meet again someday,
So the pain inside me will wash away.

Never Stop Being You

byTerrie Brushette
Never
Never
Never
Never

stop
stop
stop
stop

caring about the little things in life.

dreaming, and don't give into strife.
wondering are we on our own.
thinking has your spirituality grown.

Never stop building bridges that lead to better

tomorrows.
Never stop trying, and don't give into sorrow.
Never stop feeling amazed at the beauty that
surrounds you.
Never stop hearing the music, and don't give
into the blues.

Never
Never
Never
Never

stop
stop
stop
stop

pushing away negative thoughts that make you feel sad.

looking at the all the miracles we have had.
loving the ones you hold dear.
giving, and don't give into the fear.

Never stop smiling, but look forward to each new day.

Never stop shining in your own special way.
Never forget that all storms will clear.
Remember brighter tomorrows are always near.

ABCB
In

an ABCB format, the second and

forth lines of the stanza rhyme. The
first and third lines do not rhyme with
any others.

Friendship: One Of God's Greatest

Gifts
Lauren Manning
I was the young age of three,
and oh, so very small.
I knew almost nothing,
nothing at all.

It's been fifteen years now,

and our friendship's still strong.
I can hardly believe
we've been best friends this long.

When I saw a cute little girl

shaking with fear,
All alone in the corner
with her eyes full of tears,

As I went to her that day

I was the angel to be.
How could I have known
that God sent her to me?

I thought to myself,
I'll go be her friend.
So I went over to her
and touched her sweet little hand.

But angels need two wings

if they don't want to sit and just rest,
So God combined both our wings
to show us we're blessed.

I said to my new friend,

"Do you want to play?"
My new friend said, "Yes,"
and her tears went away.

We can't thank him enough

for his gift of kindness and love.
We are both each other's angels
sent from heaven above!

I Wish I Wasn't Alone

Once when I was little
I was happy and carefree.
I used to run around laughing
Until it was time for tea.

Loneliness, it hurts.
It kills you deep inside.
It makes you feel empty.
It stops you in your stride.

I used to play games

And smile all the time.
I used to feel on top of the world
I used to feel fine.

You cry yourself to sleep,

Hugging your pillow tight,
Wishing for someone
To hold you through the night.

It's amazing how things change

When people let you down.
And how that once happy face
Turns into a solemn frown.
You search and search
For someone who cares,
Anyone who understands,
Anyone who dares.

Once when I was little

I was happy and carefree.
Now my life's full of sadness,
Pain and misery.
Once when I was little
I was never on my own.
But now I pray at night
"I wish I wasn't alone."

ABAB
In

an ABAB format, the rhyming

alternates lines. The first and third
rhyme with each other, and the
second and fourth rhyme.

Healing Love
Jocelyn S. Ongdico

Oh Great God, You alone can ease

The pounding of my troubled heart
Only with You I am at peace
For You make all my fears depart
Comfort me with Your blazing love
And pacify my worried soul
Your grace of love from up above
Is healing love that makes me whole

Cast away all my doubts and fears

And lift my downcast spirit, Lord
Please let my heart be brought to cheer
By Your comforting love and Word
My body and mind may be frail
But your healing love keeps me strong
Your love will never ever fail
So to me, nothing will go wrong