A Happy Home

Swap Quatrain

There is a house around the bend,

Quick sneak a peek! I'd recommend.

( dismiss soft squeaks from country mouse)

Around the bend there is a house.

Smooth cobblestones soon beckon me,

as mossy trails grow wild 'n free.

Majestic queen in multi-tones,

soon beckon me, smooth cobblestones.

Glass windows stained mosaic hues,

cast tantalizing spark'ling views.

Victorian pizzazz ingrained …

Mosaic hues, glass windows stained.

Each spandrel wraps wood porch encased,

'pon corbels jutting, interlaced.

Grid latticework trim, overlaps

wood porch encased, each spandrel wraps.

Steep turrets rise as archway looms,

soon grasping braided ivy blooms.

Remarkable charm, I surmise,

as archway looms, steep turrets rise.

Adornments placed 'neath roofing crest,

when architecture's finely dressed.

Knob finials stand firmly braced,

'neath roofing crest adornments placed.

Bright mornings' sun shall soon bewitch

as rambling roses find their niche.

An English garden, so well done!

Shall soon bewitch bright mornings' sun.

Her beauty beams throughout the day,

My neighborhood queen on display.

Enchanted dollhouse shaping dreams,

throughout the day, her beauty beams.

This happy home, she's grinning bright!

( I must admit, her smiles delight)

Around the bend, again, I'll roam …

She's grinning bright, this happy home!

Author's Note

A few blocks from my home is an old Victorian house. I often walk past it just to enjoy her charm... and gardens.
Thank you Richard W. Jenkins for introducing me to this form.

Swap Quatrain
Attributed to Lorraine M. Kanter
Within the Swap Quatrain each stanza in the poem must be a quatrain (four lines)
where the first line is separated at the fourth syllable and reversed in the fourth line.
In addition, line 2 must rhyme with line 1, and line 3 must rhyme with line 4 and so on, and no limit
to number of stanzas, BUT must not repeat the same rhyming pattern on subsequent stanzas.
Eight syllables per line. Rhyming pattern: AabB, CcdD, and so on.
As always, open to suggestions. Thanks for reading. :-)

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

The Victorians and the Georgians certainly gifted some grand architecture. I live in an area where some of these homes still exist. Most of them now turned into apartments because they would be too costly to upkeep these days. Magnificent and ornate. You have described their fairy take appearance so well here Susan. Your poem has much charm, is well crafted as all your work is and the form is an interesting one. Love your chosen posted image too. Have a lovely Sunday.

Chris

[Susan 🦋]

Well Chris, it certainly will be a lovely Sunday after reading this review! Thank you so much!!

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

I'm not well versed on the technical aspects of poetry and its myriad genre but I do recognize beautiful art. Your piece really illuminates a vision of something more than a home. An experience. Thank you for sharing your art with us.

[Susan 🦋]

Thank you Carlos for such a sweet review! I am glad you enjoyed this Swap Quatrain! I'll stop by your page soon :-)

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

You are very welcome Susan. When I read other artists work and am moved by it whether emotionally, intellectually, spiritually, or hopeful I want them to know. Many writers put a lot of work, sacrifice, and time into their art. A simple note to say it resonates with one's heart really makes the journey well worth it. Your wonderful piece took me through a remarkable odyssey of something more than just a home. And I felt it was prudent on my part to let you know that the canvas you painted with words was amazing. Thank you again for sharing your work with this community of writers. This truly was a stand out piece of exceptional writing.

[Richard🖌]

Ahhh, the Swap Quatrain!

Susan 🍁
You ever amaze me with each offering of your poetry, that in every aspect there is a uniquely original piece.
This one is no different in that sense, except to say how intricately you've woven originality, creativity, imagination, metaphor, emotion, fantasy, wonderment in smooth-flowing syntax, spot-on form conformity, rhyme, grammar, punctuation, spelling (sheer perfection), utilizing a good number poetic devices to attract and hold the reader rapt within your story … I could go on and on with how thrilled I am to enjoy the rich fruits harvested from your earnest labors and dedication to the art of poetry.

I am so very sincerely proud of You, Master Poetess!
You're a thrilling artist, painting pictures with your magical ink … hugs! ⁓ Richard 🍃

150/100⭐️

[Susan 🦋]

Richard:-) Thank you for this spectacular review! I do believe I am smiling a bit more brightly today! Now, seeing as how highly you think of this little swap Quatrain...shout out needs to go to my teacher! Any poetic skill I have, I owe to you! :-) I am just so pleased you enjoyed this. Thank you for taking the time to read and review!!! Your ever grateful ( somewhat challenging) student! ;-)

[Richard🖌]

Dear Susan,
After s suitable spell, the student is duty bound to accept their own skills as fully developed by their own hard work … not that I won't always appreciate and shamelessly revel in your delightfully blush-worthy plaudits. ; )

[Relic]

This demands more reviews and views. Perfect poetry in my view. How can a poem be any better than this. Excellent work Sue.

[Susan 🦋]

You are too kind!!! But ;) I’m ok with that! Thank you for this awesome review!!! Very much appreciated!

[Orphic dreamer]

Each paragraph is so meticulously written and all the details hold so much raw emotions, yet it is expressed elegantly. And the wonderful rhyming the scheme is eye-catching to read. Simply breathtaking!

[Susan 🦋]

Aw thank you! I am so pleased! This review is wonderful! Thank you so much :-))))

[Bibik DU]

Wow! I'm learning. I just joined this platform hoping to do exactly that and here I am learning about Swap Quatrain.
I love the choice of words. They simply painted what you saw and through your artful crafted lens, I saw just that; A mossy-covered Victorian house. Reminds me of the cottages I used to visualise reading Enid Blyton!
It must have been a challenge to write within those constraints. I am in awe!
I rate it 90 only because I always believe in room for improvement though I'm not sure what's to improve here.

[Susan 🦋]

Well welcome! Thank you for reading! And thank you for such a great review! You should give this form a try :-)

[grace]

This way you write is another level. Like i have no words.. and reading this one is giving me joy and a playful feeling somehow.. tis beautiful :)

[Susan 🦋]

Hi Grace! Thank you for reading! I'm glad this made you smile! :-)))

[barleygirl]

Your ability to describe a dwelling has no equal! I honestly never SEE half of what you've described, when I look at ANYTHING! Your lines feel as if they're decked out in full flounce. Some people comment on my tendency to pack my writing full, but you've decorated yours fully here! And delightfully so! (((HUGS)))

[Susan 🦋]

lol Sometimes I wish I didn't! I am so easily distracted! Everything seems to catch my eye. Thank you for reading and for this wonderful review! I do appreciate it! :-)

[emmajoy]

What a superbly superb Quatrain, Susan! You have beaten the awkwardness of a 'technical' genre so that it results in a smooth, natural and musical sound. Love it and - the story within it.

As to suggesting anything.. better I jump in a box and pull its lid over my head! Keep safe, dear you. x

[Susan 🦋]

Hi Emma! Thanks for the great review! Hope all is well with you! :-)

[Sami Khalil]

"Steep turrets rise as archway looms,

soon grasping braided ivy blooms.

Remarkable charm, I surmise,

as archway looms, steep turrets rise."

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! I like this a lot. Never heard of this form but I like it. Live and learn, I guess. All these forms make poetry rich and exciting. Richard is a wonderful poet and man. He is helpful to all.
Your poem is worthy of an applause.

[Susan 🦋]

Sammi! Thank you for stopping by! I'm so happy you enjoyed this fun little write! :-)

[Sami Khalil]

My pleasure. Keep them coming, please.