Lines one to three should contain three connected or contrasting statements, or a list of three details, names or possibilities. This can take up all of the three lines or be contained anywhere within them.
Lines four to six should similarly have three elements (statements, details, names, or possibilities) connected directly or indirectly or not at all.
The seventh line should act as a narrative summary or punchline or an unusual juxtaposition.
While there are no set metrical rules, because of its form, some rhythm, meter and/or rhyme is desirable. The visual structure of the form is two stanzas of three lines, with a solitary seventh line last line.
Sevenling should be mysterious, offbeat or disturbing, giving a feeling that only part of the story is being told.
I'm feeling the love with this form at the moment - have a couple of dozen scribbled down in my writing notebook, but every now and then I like to flick one at the interwebs, usually if it's one that I want responses to or was written for someone or someones in particular. This is one of those.
A sevenling for old friends
Three women in a sunlit room
cake and fruit spread before them;
the laughter of children a background murmur.
Flowing like water, the conversation is not strained
talking of high schools, online romance;
and also of the permanence of human existence.
The sillage of remembered souls hangs in the air, both pungent and sweet.
- Kathy, 11/4/15
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