What is a Terza Rima poem?
A Terza Rima poem is a Japanese poem which can also be known as a waka or uta. A Terza Rima poem is similar to a haiku but has two additional lines.
A Terza Rima consist of stanzas containing three lines each with equal number of syllables. There is no set length to these poems as long as they follow the pattern.
Each set of three lines (STANZA) is as follows:
ABA
BCB
CDC
DED
EE
With the last being a couplet to rhyme with the middle of the stanza above.
An example of a Terza Rima poem
Spring
| A |
New life begins to spring to life in spring |
| B |
Green shoots appear in the April showers |
| A |
Birds migrate back home and rest tired wings |
| |
|
| B |
Summer brings green fields full of bright flowers |
| C |
Paddling pools and ice creams all around |
| B |
The sun shines fiercely with all its powers |
| |
|
| C |
Autumn sends leaves tumbling to the ground |
| D |
The sun sinks lower leaving longer nights |
| C |
Conkers and acorns waiting to be found |
| |
|
| D |
Winter is a time for Halloween frights |
| E |
Snow on the ground and Jack Frost’s ache |
| D |
Celebrations filled with festive delights |
| |
|
| E |
As winter ends the new year starts to make |
| E |
New life begins to spring to life and awake. |
Why don't you try writing a Terza Rima poem and enter it into one of our poetry competitions.
For information on poetry types other than a Terza Rima visit our poetry glossary – poetry types.
