across this frozen prairie, winter blows
strong blizzard gale bullwhips up fallen snow
we shiver, polar-cold, wind’s frightful roar
and add thick logs to embers burning low
such fierceness could freeze creature to the core
if wait exposed; come, safe inside closed door
we offer mugs to drink in warming flow
and reminisce of summer sun-swept shores
Rubaiyat: The ruba’i is a classical Persian quatrain or double couplet of 4 lines and having rhyme scheme either AABA or AAAA. A collection of more than one quatrain is called a rubaiyat.
Edward Fitzgerald popularized the form in English. He chose iambic pentameter, generally 10-syllable lines with alternating accents, for the meter and used the AABA rhyme scheme. Having the unrhymed third line allows the poet to use that sound from the first quatrain as the main rhyming sound in the next quatrain, connecting the stanzas.
My thanks to Frank at dVerse Poets for this information on the rubaiyat form!
a poem in my pocket 
Feb 21, 2019 @ 07:18:44
The comparisons in this work well. “Polar-cold wind” & “sun-swept shores”. Love it,
Feb 21, 2019 @ 09:11:18
I’m glad you noticed that, thanks 🙂
Feb 15, 2019 @ 07:33:52
we shiver, polar-cold, wind’s frightful roar
and add thick logs to embers burning low
love this Lynn, where the cold is enjoyed in a warmth so welcoming
Feb 15, 2019 @ 14:05:05
Thanks, Gina 🙂
Feb 12, 2019 @ 12:49:31
I am surrounded by it today. The roads here are coated with ice. All schools closed. Your second stanza is a warm invitation, making me appreciate the roof over my head.
Feb 12, 2019 @ 16:31:24
Stay warm, Mish! We still have snow but with sunshine today.
Feb 09, 2019 @ 09:39:03
Love the contrasts between the cold outside and the warmth inside… embers and tea sounds perfect
Feb 09, 2019 @ 13:39:41
Thanks, Bjorn…winter can be warm 🙂
Feb 08, 2019 @ 23:19:52
You made me feel it – which is quite a feat, as I am sweltering in the Australian summer right now.
Feb 09, 2019 @ 07:36:05
Wow…that’s a compliment, Rosemary! Summer sounds wonderful 🙂
Feb 08, 2019 @ 12:34:14
I like the way your Rubaiyat shifts from chilly to cosy, Lynn! The line ‘strong blizzard gale bullwhips up fallen snow’ gave me a chill up my spine but the thick logs, burning embers and warm drinks soon perked me up again!
Feb 08, 2019 @ 13:36:30
Glad you liked my rubaiyat, Kim 🙂
Feb 08, 2019 @ 10:02:11
I like the contrast of the stanzas…cold to warm. (K)
Feb 08, 2019 @ 11:47:32
🙂
Feb 08, 2019 @ 09:30:48
Gorgeous! ❤️ I love “summer sun-swept shores,” .. can’t hardly wait! 🙂
Feb 08, 2019 @ 09:58:15
Sweet memories…or anticipation!
Feb 08, 2019 @ 09:01:09
Nice job Lynn… I could feel the cold and the warmth as you threw the log on the fire!
Feb 08, 2019 @ 09:01:51
Glad you felt it, Dwight…thanks for your comment!
Feb 08, 2019 @ 08:03:04
Nice sound in the iambic lines and interconnection of the stanzas with the rhyme. I like the reminiscing of summer at the end.
Feb 08, 2019 @ 08:58:45
Thank you, Frank! It was a fun challenge 🙂
Feb 07, 2019 @ 19:42:30
That cold is just outside my house. I like that warm mug and tales of sun-sweep shores.
Feb 07, 2019 @ 20:51:34
Thanks, Grace…we’re all in the path of that polar vortex, I guess.