Pathya Vat

Okay, so after saying I don’t really write structured poetry, I thought I’d give it another go. I happened across the Pathya Vat when I was reading someone else’s poetry collection. I researched the rules for writing one, and it took a while to get my head around, if I’m honest. But I found it intriguing. So, here is my offering:

 

Regrets

sweet-scented rose
gracing your grave
the love you gave
shatters my heart

if i had known
we’d be apart
with no fresh start
i would have come

you needed me
my precious Mum
now i am numb
with grief for you

 

If you’re interested, these are the rules. It’s a Cambodian form, and I’m starting to realise I really like Oriental poetry.

Like most SE asian forms, the Pathya Vat has a short syllable count. In this case, there are four lines of four syllables. Only lines two and four rhyme.
With this form it is common to have single stanza poems. However, if more than one stanza is needed the two middle lines rhyme with the last line of the previous stanza. (I think we can see the French influence here).
O. O. O. O.
O. O. O. a.
O. O. O. a.
O. O. O. b.

O. O. O. O.
O. O. O. a.
O. O. O. a.
O. O. O. O.