Are you up for a challenge? Englynion (plural of englyn) are a form of poetry from Wales. It has an ancient history and over the centuries has evolved into multiple variations. These involve counting syllables, a standardized rhyme pattern and occasionally something called a cynghanedd (a pattern creating harmony). But not all forms require the cynghanedd. (BTW: please don’t ask me to pronounce many of these terms.) Writing a poem using englyn as a form can be difficult. But, as we know, when we circumscribe ourselves by writing to a form it often allows us more creative room, as you’re not worrying about how to present the poem. This happens a lot when writing to other classic forms in the Western cannon, such as a sonnet or a villanelle.
So, let’s see what you can do with one of the many variations of englynion. Below are just four. Play around; some are easier than others. Poems can be a single stanza or go on for great length. Test a few. See if there is one variation that seems to fit well with you.
Englyn crych (the seeking englyn)
This is a variation of four lines to a stanza. Each line has 7 syllables, and the rhyme scheme requires lines 1, 2, and 4 to end rhyme. While the last syllable of line 3 must rhyme with a 2nd, 3rd or 4th syllable in line 4.
Here’s my single stanza attempt in English. Not Pulitzer-Prize winning. But a decent attempt.
Summer light in the garden
lingered upon your book. Then
closing it, you laughed, arose,
struck a pose and found your pen.
Englyn proest cadwynog (the chain half-rhyme englyn)
In this variation there are four lines of 7 syllables again. However, while the 1st and 3rd lines use exact end rhyme, the 2nd and 4th lines end on slant rhymes using assonance (the same vowel sound as the full rhyme syllables). In my attempt below, the “i” sound in light and night is chimed (assonated) against the “i” sounds in ire and eyes.
We are the children of light,
progeny of a star’s ire.
Even in the dark of night
I’ve seen the fire in your eyes
Englyn unodl crwca (the crooked one rhyme englyn)
In this four-line variation, lines 1 and 2 are 7 syllables long. Line 3 has 10 syllables, and line 4 has 6. Lines 1, 2, and 4 have the same end rhyme. In line 3 that same rhyme must be used near the end, after which there is a caesura (a pause, often a dash). Then the last syllable of line 3 is echoed or slant rhymed somewhere in the first part of line 4. So, it looks like this:
x x x x x x A
x x x x x x A
x x x x x x A – x x b
x b x x x A
Below is a poem by Judi Van Gorder illustrating the form. (Reprinted here with her permission)
Upon this Rock
He chose a simple fisherman,
rock foundation holds God’s plan,
His anointed Sacristan – head of church,
Peter’s perch . . . Vatican.
Englyn proest cyfnewidiog (the reciprocal half-rhyme englyn)
Are you up for an even tougher challenge? This variation requires a cynghanedd (defined as harmony). It involves matching sounds, both vowel and consonant, and accented stresses. But don’t be frightened. We always want music in our poetry, don’t we? And you may do much of this already without hanging the fancy label of cynghanedd on it.
This variation has a simple layout: four-line stanzas, each line with 7 syllables. Each line has the same slant rhyme either with vowels (assonance), or by ending with the same consonant. (Sometimes called a half-rhyme.)
And don’t forget the cynghanedd. Cynghanedd combines stressed syllables with alliteration (repeats of beginning letter, or assonance and consonance) with internal and end rhyme to create harmony. Also, a line of cynghanedd is divided by an invisible break or caesura, creating two, or more, parts in a line. (A natural pause where a reader might take a breath.) While there are four main types of cynghanedd, there are countless variations. Don’t let all this worry you!
English doesn’t have the same system of stresses and accents as Welsh. So, as long as we get close by creating harmony that’s good.
Here’s my brave attempt. I’ve ended each 7-syllable line with the same “t” consonant. I’ve included one cynghanedd: each life a lively comet. There is the assonated internal rhyme with life and lively. As well as alliteration. And there is a place where one might breathe/pause after the phrase each life. That line could easily be written as: each life—a lively comet to bring emphasis to it. But we want it to be subtle.
I’m told we are God’s stardust
A sprinkle of Heaven’s light
Each life a lively comet
Luminous in the moment
There are many more variations of the englyn. You can look them up at one of the resource links below. But do give it a whirl. What’s the worst that can happen? And who knows, you might find a lovely poetry niche to take a refreshing break in.
Resources
- Poetry Magnum Opus: https://www.poetrymagnumopus.com/topic/984-4-englyn-unodl-crwc-or-crooked-short-one-rhyme-englyn/
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Englyn
- Wordwool: https://wordwool.com/englyn-poem-type/
- Aberystwyth University: https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/news/archive/2025/01/title-278344-en.html
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