The HexSonnetta, created by Andrea Dietrich, consists of two six-line stanzas and a finishing rhyming couplet with the following set of rules:

Meter: Iambic Trimeter
Rhyme Scheme: a/bb/aa/b c/dd/cc/d ee

Iambic Trimeter means the usual iambic (alternating unstressed/stressed) meter for every line of the poem, but instead of the ten syllables that comprise a typical sonnet's iambic pentameter, this particular form uses six syllables of iambic trimeter per line. Thus, the name HexSonnetta. The first part of the form’s name refers to the syllable count per line. The second part of the name, Sonnetta, is to show this to be a form similar to the sonnet, yet with its shorter lines and different rhyme scheme, it is not the typical sonnet. Not only does this poem have six syllables per line, it also has a set of two six-line stanzas, giving an extra “hex” to the meaning of HexSonnetta. The rhyme scheme is a bit of a mixture of the two traditional sonnet types, with the two 6-line stanzas having more the rhyme scheme of an Italian sonnet, but with the ending rhyming couplet being the featured rhyme scheme of the English sonnet. The first stanza presents the theme of the poem, with the second stanza serving to change the tone of the poem, to introduce a new aspect of the theme or to give added details. The final couplet, as in an English sonnet, can be either a summary (if the theme is simple) or it could be the resolution to a problem presented in the theme. In any event, it should nicely tie together the whole piece and could even appear as a nice “twist” presented at the end.

Example #1:

The Woebegone

As wind begins to blow,
she’s lying in her bed.
Is he alive or dead?
She doesn’t even know. 
And as it starts to snow,
her doubts fill up her head.
 
She finds no answers why.
To a sad fate she’s bound.
Wind makes a mournful sound.
The woman starts to cry,
and snow from dismal sky
falls heavy on the ground.
 
Like fields piled high with snow,
She’s buried in her woe.

Copyright © 2009 Andrea Dietrich

Example #2:

The Bringer of Spring’s Cheer

March wasn’t like a meek
and gentle lamb when she
moved on; then gloomily
came April, and the week
stayed cold and wet and bleak,
but hope’s returned to me! 
 
For what would next appear
as I drove down the road?
A creature which bestowed
on me this gift of cheer. . . 
At last, the skies got clear
and sun above me glowed!
 
It’s truly spring, and small
Red Robin’s come to call!

Copyright © 2009 Andrea Dietrich

Example #3:

Under the Canopy

My thoughts are there with you
as, under cherry tree,
through cherry canopy
a patch of Prussian blue
is hopeful light come through;
I want you here with me.
 
Why must you be away,
when I have just a peak
through branches that I tweak?
Out there in light of day
is not where I will stay,
but here where blossoms speak.
 
It’s cherry blossom time
with canopies sublime!

Copyright © 2009 Jan Turner