Today’s writing prompt: triolets. Eight lines; iambic tetrameter; lines 1, 4, and 7 the same; lines 2 and 8 the same; ABaAabAB rhyme scheme.

Not sure how closely I hewed to the particulars of the form, but I gave it a shot—several shots, actually. (The second one starts with a line from a poem by Emily Dickinson.)

I
What I would do for something new
to lead me through the dreamland gone,
where all my dreams settled for less.
What I would do for something new
to make me want what I now have,
and free my heart from its own traps.
What I would do for something new
to lead me through the dreamland gone.

II
Ourself behind ourself, concealed;
difficult dreams, hopes in chains
self-inflicted, restraints wound tight.
Ourself behind ourself, concealed;
masks over shells, covered by veils:
safety in hiding, enter night.
Ourself behind ourself, concealed;
difficult dreams, hopes in chains.

III
Look inside now; what do you see?
Are you ready to find your soul?
Speak with your heart; listen closely.
Look inside; now, what do you see?
Let the clouds part; wait for the sky
to open up wide for sunshine bright.
Look inside. Now what do you see?
Are you ready to find your soul?

(23 April 2013)