Collaborative Linked Poetic Forms
Below are the poetic forms I am aware of at present. If you find others, please communicate them to me so I can research them a bit then add them to the list. We hope to experiment with different forms as the seasons roll on.
Please note: the intent is not to become proficient in these forms, but rather to use these forms to explore and perhaps develop a collaborative linked poetic "form" (or at lease tradition) more unique to Nebraska. Even more so it is to explore perceptions of Nebraska and Nebraskans through such experiments. We will NOT write in these forms following their rules in any strict sense unless it is in an attempt to familiarize ourselves with what goes on in them, and even then we do not intend to be very picky! We will simply be somewhat guided by them.
Also see the Bibliography.
Currently we are working in "learning mode" with the renga for (as of autumn, 2011).
[If you know of other collaborative linked forms or invented forms, please send me a note and I will add it to the list.]
Number of poets: 2 or more (no upper end, in theory; but if we feel we have too many poets in one group, then we will break it into two--or more-groups).
Description: A Japanese form, that began as a game (and still often is today).
Type of Link: Shares previous stanza to create new poem.
Google Search: http://www.google.com/search?q=Renga
See also: CLPP Bibliography
See also: Poets.org's comments on this poetic form
See also: Haikai no Renga. From the Haiku Society of America. Obviously good information in haiku.
Tenso (Troubadour collaborative linked verse. Note that troubadour poetry usually consisted of lyrics set to music, and often dwelt on romantic love.)
Cobla (aka cobla exchange)
The cobla is a stanza in troubadour poetry. They were often sent to other troubadours who would respond in kind. Various types of cobla were defined by rhyming pattens and conditions.
Number of poets: 2
Description: A troubadour form, in which one poet composes a stanza (a "cobla," which often can stand alone as a poem in its own right) and sends it to another poet, who hopefully responds in kind.
Type of Link: Replies to previous stanza (hopefully back & forth).
Wikipedia:
Cobla exchange: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cobla_exchange
Google Search: http://www.google.com/search?q=Cobla
Tenso (basic form)
Number of poets: 2
Description: A troubadour form, in which two poets debate--or just plain argue--some aesthetic, cultural, or amourous question. The two poets alternate stanzas. There are not metric rules that I am currently aware of.
Type of Link: Replies to previous stanza (back & forth).
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenso
Google Search: http://www.google.com/search?q=Troubador+Tenso
See also: CLPP Bibliography
Partimen (aka “partiment,”"partia," "joc partit," or "jeu parti)
Number of poets: 3
Description: This is a Tenso, with the final stanza being a "judgement" by a third poet.
Type of Link: Replies to previous stanza(s) (back & forth).
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partimen
Google Search: http://www.google.com/search?q=Partimen
See also: CLPP Bibliography
Torneyamen
Number of poets: 3 or more
Description: This Troubador form is very like a Tenso, but the initial poet sends his or her initial stanz to another poet who does the same to another poet and so on, until it comes around to the first poet again. In this three or more poets can participate.
Type of Link: Many poets reply to previous stanza(s) (back & forth).
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torneyamen
Google Search: http://www.google.com/search?q=Torneyamen
WorldCat: http://www.worldcat.org/search?qt=worldcat_org_all&q=Torneyame
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