Poetry Dances - Monotetra Poem - Instructions and Example

A monotetra poem has four lines that all rhyme with each other. Each line has eight syllables, and the last line repeats its last two feet (or phrases). You can write just one stanza or create several to tell a longer story.

The rhythm feels musical, and the repeating phrase at the end gives it a strong, echoing sound. Many poets use this repetition to show emotion or bring emphasis to an idea.

Example

Downfall of Man

When God proclaimed the birth of man,
From His image sprang Adam’s clan,
Who gave a rib for woman’s hand;
Downfall of man, downfall of man.

They roamed the Garden worry free,
Content to live and let things be,
And just one rule God asked of thee;
Don’t touch that tree, don’t touch that tree.

To Adam, ignorance was bliss,
He questioned not just what was this,
And turned away from evil hiss;
All for Eve’s kiss, all for Eve’s kiss.

’Twas Eve who heard the serpent speak,
That knowledge was the thing to seek,
To eat the fruit, temptation’s peak;
Resolve was weak, resolve was weak.

Goodbye Butterfly

I found you by a clear blue lake,
Crawling upon a rusted rake.
You looked much like a fuzzy snake;
It’s my mistake, it’s my mistake.

I fed you drops of purple dye
When you were young and could not fly.
There is no other alibi;
I cannot lie, I cannot lie.

Then something happened overnight,
You sprouted wings and took to flight.
I jumped for joy at this strange sight;
I felt delight, I felt delight.

The monotetra was created by Michael Walker. It’s a wonderful style for poems with rhythm, rhyme, and a little repetition that sticks in your head.

Line 1:	8 syllables
Line 2:	8 syllables
Line 3:	8 syllables
Line 4:	8 syllables with repetition