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.

it knows your name—a pantoum

listen for the song
that calls you here
it beckons you
it knows your name

the song calls you here
plants deep inside
it knows your name
your inner name

the song plants deep inside
get redwood-grove quiet
it knows your inner name
listen to the sacred hush

get redwood grove quiet
you’ll hear your blueprint song
listen to the sacred hush
root of the root of yourself

hear your blueprint song?
you’ll recognize the quiver
the root of the root of yourself
deep inside your bones

you’ll recognize the quiver
listen for what it asks
deep inside your bones
this song that brings you home

listen for the song
it knows your inner name

2023 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.