"The Forms Must Be Obeyed"
(Frank Herbert, Dune)

I’ve never used this form of verse before:
the Pantoum, which employs recurring lines,
for fear the product might induce a snore
because of its repetitive designs.

The Pantoum, which employs recurring lines
in quatrains: even lines become the odd.
Because of its repetitive designs,
the poem doesn’t race but tends to plod.

In quatrains, even lines become the odd:
Lines two and four become the first and third.
The poem doesn’t race but tends to plod,
much like a turtle or a tired bird.

Lines two and four become the first and third
As each successive stanza staggers on
much like a turtle or a tired bird
who tried to sing but just produced a yawn.

As each successive stanza staggers on,
I’ve work to do with paper, ink, and pen.
Who tried to sing but just produced a yawn?
I might not choose to try this tune again.

I’ve work to do with paper, ink, and pen.
For fear the product might induce a snore,
I might not choose to to try this tune again.
I’ve never used this form of verse before.