Hsin Ku and Quads: 2 of 3

Quad Poems

“Quad” poems have four lines, four words per line, four letters per word, abab rhyme, and telegraphic grammar. Here are some:

This quad poem form;

Four word, four time

Four each word; also

Even line good rime.

Don’t rule over rime!

You’d feel like fool

When even this time

Says rime over rule.

Hill tent camp rest

Even dark sees afar

Late nite view best

Land, lake, moon, star.

Dear love, what song

What best true rime

Will show them long

This love thru time?

Hsin Ku and Quads: 1 of 3

      Hsin Ku and Quads

        

          In May of 1993, I participated in a poetry festival at Lincoln University, then in San Francisco. At this conference, Dr. Kenneth Fan called for poems of a new form: “Hsin Ku”, or “New Classic”. Its form and rules are summarized by these two hsinku I wrote:

New classic poem form;

four words, four lines

Any topic, any image

Second, fourth near rhymes.

“Let Reason rule Rhyme,”

Decreed the sage Master,

“So our audience be

(I hope) much vaster.”

I admit that I couldn’t resist some sardonicism there. I hope much vaster!

Here are some more:

A single look reveals:

Airplane left, bird right

Climbing, crossing; silent passage

In the evening light.

Me, praise a pearl?

Or its owner, ma’am?

Or its inner grit?

I praise the clam!

O love, we wonder;

Through you, I’m wise;

How deeper we see

Than only two eyes!

Mr. Fan wanted poems in honor of an ancient Chinese king who prayed for world peace. Alas, I could not resist delivering the following snark:

“May all war cease,”

The high lord sings;

But when there’s peace

Then who needs kings?

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