The pantoum is a poetic form originating in 15th century Malaysia that uses repetition. It’s a poem of any length composed of four-line stanzas in which the second and fourth lines of each stanza serve as the first and third lines of the next stanza. The final stanza is often two lines from the first stanza.
cathedral – a pantoum
my inner sanctuary
the cathedral of words
part statement of intent
part prayer or supplication
the cathedral of words
if I’m still I can find them
part prayer or supplication
pouring from the wordless
if I’m still I can find them
and write myself awake
they pour from the wordless
to convey what is empty
I write myself awake
find what wants revealing
try to convey what is empty
yet is seen on the page
part prayer or supplication
my inner sanctuary
2022 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.
the heart of the matter 
Ahhhh, Amrita, so lovely. It felt like a prayer as I read it. I was moved.
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I like this pantoum form
you have shown me
I’ve never tried it
but now I will
You have shown me
something I haven’t tried
but now I will.
(Did I do that right?)
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close, and I love that you tried! Lines 2 and 4 become lines 1 and 3 of the next stanza, although the wording can shift a bit to adjust the meaning. Then the last stanza consists of two lines from stanza one, usually lines one and three–but I fudged that a bit here.
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Wow, yes! “pouring from the wordless” the perfect phrase. You’re there. This is my favorite 😍 poem of yours. Thanks for sharing. You’re an inspiration, Skye!
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thank you, Mary! I can’t tell you what it means, having regular readers.
Sending love through the holidays,
Skye
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