Sestina links
The sestina is a complex form in which six line-ending words are repeated in an intricate specified pattern through six 6-line stanzas and a 3-line “envoi.” It dates back to the 12th century French troubadours, and has been used by many poets writing in modern English.
Sestina
The sestina defined, in our glossary of poetic forms. The sestina is a complex form in which the poet chooses six line-ending words and repeats them through an intricate specified pattern through six 6-line stanzas and a 3-line “envoi.” You can read some of the best & most famous sestinas in English using the links below, each accompanied by a list of its “key” words.
The sestina defined, in our glossary of poetic forms. The sestina is a complex form in which the poet chooses six line-ending words and repeats them through an intricate specified pattern through six 6-line stanzas and a 3-line “envoi.” You can read some of the best & most famous sestinas in English using the links below, each accompanied by a list of its “key” words.
“Farm Implements and Rutabagas in a Landscape” by John Ashbery
“thunder... apartment... country... pleasant... scratched... spinach...”
“thunder... apartment... country... pleasant... scratched... spinach...”
“A Miracle for Breakfast” by Elizabeth Bishop
“coffee... crumb... balcony... miracle... sun... river...”
“coffee... crumb... balcony... miracle... sun... river...”
“Sestina” by Elizabeth Bishop
“house... grandmother... child... stove... almanac... tears”
“house... grandmother... child... stove... almanac... tears”
“Ye Goat-herd Gods” by Sir Philip Sidney
A double sestina, 12 stanzas using the same six line-ending words: “mountains... valleys... forests... music... morning... evening...”
A double sestina, 12 stanzas using the same six line-ending words: “mountains... valleys... forests... music... morning... evening...”
“Sestina: Altaforte” by Ezra Pound
“peace... music... clash... opposing... crimson... rejoicing...”
“peace... music... clash... opposing... crimson... rejoicing...”
“Sestina” by Algernon Charles Swinburne
“day... night... way... light... may... delight...”
“day... night... way... light... may... delight...”