How to Write a Pantoum

The most important aspect of writing any form of poetry is to know clearly what feelings and sentiments you wish to convey. Learning how to write Pantoum will demand a lot more. For, when writing Pantoum, you do not only convey an idea, a feeling or a thought but you also need to learn how to use suggestiveness to challenge the reader to grasp the deeper meanings

Pantoum is a French word used to denote one specific form of poetry, for the simple reason that this form of poetry originates from France. Another name given to Pantoum is Pantun, which traces the etymological background of this form of poetry. The Pantoum poetic style is in fact of Malaysian origin, introduced to Europe by the renowned French port Victor Hugo in the mid- nineteenth century. The Western world has, however, taken a bit of leverage with the old Malaysian style. Yet the essence of Pantoum remains that this form of poetry uses simple words to create elegant imagery.

Pantoums can extend over unlimited stanzas. However, if you are still learning how to write Pantoum, you may begin with a limit such as three stanzas, for instance. Pantoum uses simple words to create elegant imagery. Two lines from the previous stanza is borrowed to create another two in the second stanza, thereby making the second and the fourth line of each stanza same as the first and third line of next stanza. Moreover, the last stanza should include the third line of stanza 1 as its second line, and the first line of stanza 1 as its last, that is forth. line.

Below is an illustration of the structure of Pantoum:

Stanza 1: Line 1 Line 2 Line 3 Line 4

Stanza 2: Line 5 (repeat of line 2 in stanza 1) Line 6 (new line) Line 7 (repeat of line 4 in stanza 1) Line 8 (new line)

Stanza 3 / Last Stanza: Line 9 (line 2 of the previous stanza) Line 10 (line 3 of the first stanza) Line 11 (line 4 of the previous stanza) Line 12 (line 1 of the first stanza)It is to be noted that the format for the last stanza should be as above, regardless of how many preceding stanzas there may be.