FRIEZE

The frieze is a 9-line poem written in iambic trimeter (3 beats). Lines 2, 4, and 8 have an extra syllable because of their rhymed feminine endings. The rhyme pattern is abcbacabc.

The sample poem is from Mary H. Sowell's collection called Poetry Patterns A-Z.

Once a Poet

I often wonder why
I strive to be a poet
And write in metered rhyme.
I thought I might outgrow it
And tell the whim goodbye
When I had reached my prime.
But I still versify.
Though critics say, "Forego it,"
I struggle one more time.