New Poetry Form: the Sepigram
In praise of fractals and poetry
If you have followed me for a while, you know that I’m passionate about several things, especially poetry, photography and fractals. I started creating fractals last year.
Fractals (from latin ‘fractus’, meaning “broken” or “fractured”) are patterns that repeat for ever. The word was coined by mathematician Benoit Mandelbrot in 1975.
Fractals are all around us, especially in nature. They are used in computers, math, 3D modeling, etc. The most common fractal is the Mandelbrot set.
Earlier this year, I wondered if the repetitive concept could be used with poetry. That is how the Sepigram came to exist!
The word “sepigram” is a portmanteau of “seven” + “pi” + “-gram” (‘something written’ or ‘drawing’). The “pi” part refers to the number π (3.14159 rounded up to 3.1416), which is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter.
Rules
The Sepigram is an unlimited poem that follows a repetitive pattern. Each part contains 14 lines and must be divided into 2 stanzas+ 1 concluding line. Punctuation and titles are optional.
Part 1:
L1–1 word L2–7 words L3–8 words L4 — repeat word from L1 L5–7 words L6–8 words L7 — repeat word from L1 or use a different word
L8 — repeat word from L1 or use a different word L9–7 words L10–8 words L11 — repeat word from L8 L12–7 words L13–8 words
L. 14: Use seven words from preceding lines (in any order) to make a sentence.
The poem can end here or continue.
Part 2:
L15 — repeat word from L8 L16–7 words L17–8 words L18 — repeat word from L8 L19–7 words L20–8 words L21 — repeat word from L8 or use a different word
L22 — repeat word from L15 or use a different word L23–7 words L24–8 words L25 — repeat word from L22 L26–7 words L27–8 words
L. 28: Use seven words from preceding lines (in any order) to make a sentence.
The poem can end here or continue.
Notes
The pi (3.1416) pattern can be found in the word count:
- 3 is L1 + L4 + L7 then repeated in L15 + L18 + L21 (and subsequent first stanza of each part)
- 14 is L2 + L5 then repeated in L9 + L12 (and subsequent stanzas)
- 16 is L3 + L6 then repeated in L10 + L13 (and subsequent stanzas)
Sepigrams must feature positive / uplifting elements. A reference to nature is encouraged. For example: season, weather, month, time of the day, etc.
Examples of Simple Sepigram
Night came to us in a soft whisper in the dance of rain at five o’clock. Night settled among the embers of our fireplace like an old friend who knows her place here.
Day followed quietly when night forgot to look an unruly child, we could truly say. Day settled in our chairs, bed and kitchen, bringing smiles on our faces, in our hearts.
Night came, day followed, smiles settled quietly.
© 2022 Cendrine Marrouat
If
If hands could dance like butterflies in space and hearts could sing for all people to hear If we were meant to be something different and share our laughter in any other ways, would
we notice the unique, deeper shades of life, heed the peerless sound wave of love? Would we feel that we matter more than now or just let go of our made-up fears?
Were we different, we would just dance.
© 2022 Cendrine Marrouat
Other Posts in My Series
That’s it for today!
My new book is out! In Her Own Words is a collection of short stories and flashku told from the point of view of women at different stages in their lives. Available everywhere ebooks are sold!