A poetic form created by Lencio Dominic Rodrigues, the Lento is named after it's creator, taken from his first name Lencio and rhymed to Cento, an existing form of poetry.

A Lento consists of two quatrains with a fixed rhyme scheme of abcb, defe as the second and forth lines of each stanza must rhyme. To take it a step further, but not required, try rhyming the first and third lines as well as the second and forth lines of each stanza in this rhyming pattern: abab, cdcd. The fun part of this poem is thrown in here as all the FIRST words of each verse should rhyme. There is no fixed syllable structure to the Lento, but keeping a good, flowing rhythm is recommended.

For an added challenge, one may write a four-verse Lento and call it a Double Lento, or a six-versed Lento to become a Triple Lento.

Below is an example of a Lento:

Composed in winter of Two Thousand Five, (a)
Proposed by my dreams, this entire theme, (b)
Exposed now for all to write and have fun, (c)
Supposed to be easy though it doesn't seem. (b)

Two verses of four lines each you will write, (d)
Do rhyme the beginning word in every line, (e)
Pursue to keep last rhymes in line 2 and 4, (f)
Chew your brain a little, you'll do just fine! (e)

For more writing options on the Lento, try a Lento Chain or Cross Lento!

A Lento Chain: a Lento consisting of more than seven quatrains.

Cross Lento: The cross Lento has been introduced in 2012. The cross lento was introduced to make Lento writing more fun. However, a cross lento is applicable only in cases of double, triple and lento chains, where the rhyme schemes in alternate quatrains are reversed, as seen in the following example:

a------b
a------c
a------b
a------c

d------f
e------f
d------f
e------f

Example #1 (Lento):

Denunciation

Despise me, I am your wretched slave,
Revise not your ways, how you treat me.
Chastise me with your insensate words,
Disguise goodness, so others will not see.

Inflict accusations so I might surrender,
Predict deadly disaster my fortune-teller,
Verdict of your frustration I await to hear,
Evict me from your fruitless life forever.

Copyright © 2006 Lencio Dominic Rodrigues

Example #2 (Lento):

Come to Him and Be Healed

Bring your cares, all you troubled hearted,
Sing in His presence, your songs of praise,
Ring cymbals; clap your hands in gladness,
King almighty! In unison all voices raise.

Heaven sent its only son upon the sinful earth,
Deafen not your soul from hearing His message,
Sharpen your ears and listen to His silent call,
Deepen your faith to free yourself from bondage.

Copyright © 2006 Lencio Dominic Rodrigues

Example #3 (Cross Lento):

Untitled

Plumeria withers into the summer
blooming now: old memories and
broom flowers seemingly in splendor
groom my heart, for a brand new hand.

Calm seemed the waters we sailed
lies and lies get trains derailed
balm never soothed hearts that ailed
sighs too, did no good when exhaled.

Gold turns to dust, time spent, to waste
cold, grows to new love, the hurting heart,
old, same old bitter taste
holds inside your heart, hard to depart.

Returns plumeria with fragrance anew
more fresh dew days, nothing to argue
learns from past to easily bid adieu
your doings will pay you what you're due.

Copyright © 2012 Lencio Dominic Rodrigues