Structure, Metrical Requirement, Rhyme Scheme Requirement, Isosyllabic, Pivot Requirement

A poem based on six-line verses with a closing couplet. Here are Chuck’s rules:

1. The Sheshire is comprised of three stanzas of 6 lines with a rhyme scheme of either ABABAB or ABCABC. Completed by a rhymed couplet.
2. Each line has the same number of syllables. The one exception to this is the last line, which may have up to six additional syllables. The additional syllables must a phrase that is set aside (by parenthesis or dashes, for example). If this aside is removed, the correct syllable count would be there and the line would remain a reasonable sentence.
3. Each stanza should have a shift in tone. The ending couplet should leave the reader (or at least the poet) with a grin. It can be a darkly ironic grin, but a grin, nonetheless.

The derivation is from the Hebrew words shesh and shir or shira meaning six poem.

Charles David Lipsig

American (Jewish)

Rhyme: ababab or abcabc

Total schema:

ababab cdcdcd efefef gg or

abcabc defdef ghighi jj

6

20

• Cheshire
• Pesach, 2004

Incomplete

Sestet