On Tuesday, David Lehman announced the next "Next Line, Please" contest over at the American Scholar. It's going to be a good one and you should enter! Here's David's introduction:
The sestina, a verse form dating back to the Middle Ages, consists of 39 lines divided into seven stanzas: six containing six lines each and a concluding triplet. With its intricate rules, the form may seem hugely intimidating at first. In fact, however, the sestina has enjoyed great popularity among modern poets. You’ll find six examples of the form in The Oxford Book of American Poetry: two by Elizabeth Bishop, one each from Ezra Pound, Anthony Hecht, Harry Mathews, and James Cummins, and only lack of space prevented the inclusion of a seventh, John Ashbery’s “The Painter.” This link will take you to Elizabeth Bishop’s “A Miracle for Breakfast.” Or read this recent effort by James Cummins here.
Continue reading and submit your stanza over at the American Scholar.
Thank you very much. Well received.
Posted by: Martin | July 06, 2017 at 06:58 AM