The Minute poem has 60 syllables consisting of 12 lines in rhyming couplets and iambic meter. It has a specific syllabic pattern of 8,4,4,4,8,4,4,4,8,4,4,4. Some examples are below. Imaging In A Rocking Chair has the Minute format in the first 12 lines, continues the Minute format for the next four, and ends with 6 syllables on the last two lines, so I call this a Minute Plus poem.
BEYOND HIGH MOUNTAINS
I love looking at high mountains -
their crests extend
into blue space,
that empty place
where the mind can visualize
what the two eyes
cannot yet see,
that faith believes,
that achievers write on their scrolls -
those lofty goals
that come to pass
what they forecast.
ILLUSION'S SEPARATION
Saints say life is an illusion
a conclusion
by one's ego
(lying ego)
that the body and form are real -
life is ideal -
how did it begin
the idea of sin (?)
which is really separation -
alteration
of perception -
one's creation.
DISAPPEARING THE UNIVERSE
disappearing the universe*
seems so perverse
to what is taught
most give it naught
though told it is the way to God
the one we lord
is form instead
what's in our head
separation is what we've done
no longer one
with love and peace
rebirth won't cease
(*The Disappearance of the Universe is an excellent book by Gary Renard)
IMAGING IN A ROCKING CHAIR
(a minute plus poem)
spent the day in a rocking chair
no climbing stairs
or cutting grass
just on my ass
spent the day visualizing
multiplying
silver and gold
futures foretold
Einstein knew the way to success
it wasn't a guess
but great vision
his admission
so next time you say I'm lazy
don't be hasty
great achievers
were believers
imaging what came to pass
so I might stay on my ass
GETTING RID OF JUNK MAIL
Too much junk mail takes up my time
so I'm inclined
to toss away
every day
newspapers, credit card requests
college bequests
health bulletins
what I shouldn't
open, scan through, read and tear up
I'm so fed up
toss quick makes sense
so let's dispense!
A NEW LIFESTYLE
I am a tracking Weight Watcher
no longer lured
by fatty foods
or breads that wooed
me all my life at every meal
and strove to steal
my slimmer clothes
as gluten rose
my stomach and stretched tops and pants
so no romance
until I count
the right amount.