The literal translation of terza rima from Italian is ‘third rhyme’. Terza rima is a three-line stanza using chain rhyme in the pattern A-B-A, B-C-B, C-D-C, D-E-D. There is no limit to the number of lines, but poems or sections of poems written in terza rima end with either a single line or couplet repeating the rhyme of the middle line of the final tercet. The two possible endings for the example above are d-e-d, e or d-e-d, e-e. There is no set rhythm for terza rima, but in English, iambic pentameter is generally preferred.

To me, the challenge was to make a story out of the poetry, without sacrificing the rhyme scheme. Did I succeed?

Lonesome

It’s overwhelming how lonesome one feels

When left alone for any length of time;

More so without the benefit of wheels.

.

Some friends are distant, or seem so when I’m

Lonely, in the mood for company; talk

Is hard by long distance, without a dime.

.

Time can be passed, by going for a walk,

But crowds have a way of creating fear

That one may not survive being a rock.

.

It’s not that I don’t enjoy being clear,

But more that I want to become less free

And lean on someone I’d like to be near.

.

If only one could accurately see

How others feel about being alive,

There would be less need of “I” and/or “me”.

.

It is to this point that I now arrive:

Be gentle, more loving; for this I strive.