The Trijan Refrain, created by Jan Turner, consists of three 9-line stanzas, for a total of 27 lines. Line 1 is the same in all three stanzas, although a variation of the form is not to repeat the same line at the beginning of each stanza. In other words, the beginning line of each stanza can be different. The first four syllables of line 5 in each stanza are repeated as the double-refrain for lines 7 and 8. The Trijan Refrain is a rhyming poem with a set meter and rhyme scheme as follows:

Rhyme scheme: a/b/a/b/c/c/d,d refrain of first 4 words of line five /c

Meter: 8/6/8/6/8/8/4,4 refrain/8

Example #1:

Sweet Destiny

Oh destiny, sweet destiny,
Come silent in the night,
And teach my spirit how to see
Within tomorrow’s light.
I know I’ll strive to do what’s best
For humankind’s eternal quest...
            I know I’ll strive
            I know I’ll strive
Oh destiny, to meet the test!

Oh destiny, sweet destiny,
Through many lives I’ve known
You’ve been the voice that shadows me
To guide me as I’ve grown.
Each day I learn from memory
Of former selves that set me free...
            Each day I learn
            Each day I learn
To cultivate a better me.

Oh destiny, sweet destiny,
As all my years unfold,
My soul is all it's meant to be
From prophecies of old.
The time is close when I’ll embark
That road to make my final mark...
            The time is close
            The time is close  
To meet fate's light within the dark.       

Copyright © 2006 Jan Turner

Example #2:

Seaside Lament

The waves are crashing on the shore;
The foaming tide is high.
The gulls now take to sky. They soar!
I hear their plaintive cry.
I feel the sea reach out to me,
And drowning in my misery...
 	I feel the sea,
 	I feel the sea.
Oh, how I long to be set free!

The salty sea mist, like a ghost,
Now shrouds the hazy sky.
I cannot hide what pains me most!
Why did you have to die?
I hear a moan as all alone
I stand, windblown, chilled to the bone.
 	I hear a moan,
 	I hear a moan...
The foghorn's lovelorn monotone.

The great North Star is hid from view,
As you are lost to me.
I've searched the endless sea's deep blue
And know my destiny.
I taste each tear, poised on this pier.
Oh, why can't you be with me here?
 	I taste each tear,
 	I taste each tear,
Then like North Star...I disappear.

Copyright © 2006 Andrea Dietrich & Jan Turner

Example #3:

The Melody of Trees

The forest once more welcomes me
Beneath its bowers bright,
As autumn colors I now see
Through filtered, golden light.
I crunch through leaves so thick and dry
Safe from the ever graying sky;
 	I crunch through leaves
 	I crunch through leaves
As raindrops plunk a lullaby.

The forest once more welcomes me;
I walk the narrow trail. 
A hush falls on the canopy
Where silence will prevail.
The sun breaks through the clearing sky
Rent by a red-tail’s piercing cry.
 	The sun breaks through
 	The sun breaks through
As wind dispels the clouds on high.

The forest once more welcomes me;
I hear the rustling sounds
Of little creatures wild and free;
Here hidden life abounds.
The soft breeze sighs through turning leaves
A soothing melody of ease.
 	The soft breeze sighs
 	The soft breeze sighs
A song of splendor through the trees.

Copyright © 2009 Margaret R. Smith