The Pantoum is a poetry form that relies heavily on repitition and the use of quatrains, which are stanzas comprised of four lines1. This form allows for a poem of any length, often with the first line and the last line of the poem being the same. Each quatrain follows a pattern in which the second and fourth lines of one stanza become the first and third lines of the following stanza. Each line generally consists of eight to twelve syllables2.
This use of repetition creates a rhythm and echo within the piece, which has led this form to became popular in expressions referring to a past time. Some pantoums also follow an abab rhyme scheme, though many do not. It is also common to shift meaning and inflection within the repeated lines, sometimes changing the structure of the line to do so.
The pantoum originated as a Malaysian form of oral poetry, referred to as a pantun, which would be recited or sung. This likely influenced the form’s well-known use of continuous repetition. In the 15th century the form became a written tradition as well, and in the 19th century the pantoum found favor among Western writers.
Some wonderful examples of pantoums can be found below:
Nocturne by Sadakichi Hartmann
Iva’s Pantoum by Marilyn Hacker
Descent of the Composer by Airea D. Matthews
