The Octelle, created by Emily Romano, is a poem consisting of eight lines using personification and symbolism in a telling manner. The syllable count structure for this verse is 8, 8, 7, 7, 7, 7, 8, 8, and the rhyme scheme is aa/bb/cc/aa. The first two lines and the last two lines are identical.

Dead End

Dilly- dally, shilly- shally,
Sorrow loiters in the alley;
Poverty’s hung out to dry
While the hungry children cry;
Cost of ghetto life is dear -
More than bread is needed here.
Dilly- dally, shilly-shally,
Sorrow loiters in the alley.

Copyright © 2008 Emily Romano