CM Simpson: Writer & Gamer

An englyn is a form of Welsh or Cornish verse, with a reputation of being hard to master. It has several different variants, all of which are governed by strict rules. This week, we’ll look at the englyn toddaid, which is a cross between the toddaid form and the englyn. The englyn toddaid consists of a verse at least four-lines long. The first line has 10 syllables, the second has 7, and the remaining two or more lines have ten syllables each. The rhyme is introduced in the seventh, eighth or ninth syllable of the first line, and repeated at the end of the remaining lines. The fourth syllable of the second lines uses rhyme or consonance to echo the last syllable of the first line. Dragon’s Wrath Furious, the dragon marred the blue skies. I saw him fly, far too soon. I saw him setting fire, felt fear anew. I saw his shadow and knew what to do. Who had stirred his angry heart to war raided his stores, golden art, and fled, the dragon’s vengeance, war to start? ...

An englyn is a form of Welsh or Cornish verse, with a reputation of being hard to master. It has several different variants, all of which are governed by strict rules. This week, we’ll look at the englyn lledfbroest. The englyn lledfbroest consists of a four-line verse. Each line has seven syllables that half rhyme with each other. A half-rhyme is one where the final consonants agree. In the englyn lleddfbroest the half rhymes must use the following dipthongs: ae, oe, wy and ei. I have used ‘ay’ instead of ‘ae’ to reflect changes in the English language, included ‘ow’ to be synonymous with ‘oe’, and used ‘ai’ as the same rhyme as ‘ei’. I’m not sure if these variations are acceptable to purists, but they work rhyme-wise. I Live Again My heart had gone far away My terror I held at bay Never hoped to see the day Thought I’d died and dead I’d stay Then morning broke night’s dark reign I felt blood move in my veins I raised my head, breathed again Took up th...

An englyn is a form of Welsh or Cornish verse, with a reputation of being hard to master. It has several different variants, all of which are governed by strict rules. This week, we’ll look at the englyn proest dalgron. The englyn proest dalgron consists of a four-line verse. Each line has seven syllables that half rhyme with each other. A half-rhyme is one where the final consonants agree. Changing Fortunes I have seen beyond the skies Beyond the plans man’s devised Beyond the truths long denied I’ve seen beyond your lies My gift is not yours to share For purposes you’ve ensnared Nor for foes to be declared You who use it should be scared I have seen dreams overflown Long-held desires overgrown Well-meant denial bemoaned As we over-burdened groan We hear, and hopes start rising No loss, no compromising Our vic’try, our devising We make sure, no surmising. Why don’t you give it a try? Try writing at least one englyn proest dalgron ...