Forewarned - Balassi Stanza

Smell of death hangs there low

In the river’s profound flow,

Red muddy swirl warns and scolds

A guest you are, Madman!

And reap what you sow, Man!

Break not fragile thresholds

Set that messy house straight!

Pay heed to her dictate

Else before you end unfolds.

October 8, 2009

© Nalini Hebbar/openmind/2009 - all rights reserved

http://poetrypoem.com/openmind

It is believed that this stanza form was used by the Hungarian poet Balint Balassi

x. x. x. x. x. a              6 syllables
x. x. x. x. x. a              6
x. x. x. x. x. x. d          7
x. x. x. x. x. b              6
x. x. x. x. x. b              6
x. x. x. x. x. x. d          7
x. x. x. x. x. c              6
x. x. x. x. x. c              6
x. x. x. x. x. x. d          7