Santosh Kumar Pokharel
Imagine, a poem is in a fixed frame with selected words that convey a meaningful message in a rhyming scheme to the readers, and more if it is short, direct and follows a perfectly set pattern which is aesthetically pleasing and semantically saturated, won’t this be a benefit to the poets in poetry creation?
Santosh Kumar Pokharel, multilingual poet from Nepal has embarked on a poetic odyssey, introducing the world to a mesmerizing new form of verse: the Pokhreli Knot. This innovative structure, characterized by its concise yet impactful design, marks a possibility of a significant departure, at some point of future, from traditional poetic forms, offering poets a fresh canvas upon which they can paint their lyrical masterpieces. Unlike classical prosody that takes a substantial length to express the ideas of a poet, Pokhreli Knots are too precise, pert, and rhymed and they beautifully express the views. Unlike Haiku expressions Pokhreli Knots are confined and rhymed. It can be said that the Pokhreli Knot is a win over the modern clumsy blank verses and with a very few words can serve purpose of poetic expression of witty remarks.
At the heart of the Pokhreli Knot lies its triangular stanza format, which unfolds with a mesmerizing rhythm and symmetry. Each stanza begins with a monosyllabic word, gradually expands in syllabic complexity, and then contracts back to a monosyllabic word that mirrors the opening one in rhyme. This structured progression, exemplified by patterns such as 1-2-1, 1-2-3-2-1, and 1-2-3-4-3-2-1, imbues the verse with a sense of balance and harmony, guiding the reader through a journey of linguistic discovery.
Let’s delve into the mesmerizing tapestry of Pokhreli Knots, each one a testament to the form’s versatility and power:
TRIANGLE MORPHOSEMANTIC
**Trimetric Knot TRENTET (1-2-1):**
1.
THINK
NO WINK
SHRINK
2.
LINK
ON THE
BRINK
3.
TELL
THE WORLD
SPELL
4.
GOOD
UNDER
MOOD
5.
MUTE
WON’T BE
RUDE.
6.
LIFE
HAS A
VIVE
7.
PEACE
NOT TO
CEASE
**Pentametric Knot PENTET (1-2-3-2-1):**
1.
I
WILL SEE
LET WHAT MAY
COME WAY
FLY
2.
WHY
YOU CRY
AFTER NAUGHTS
ON THEM
FIE
3.
LIE
WILL NOT
FOR EVER
YOU TIE
BYE
**Heptametric Knot HEPTET (1-2-3-4-3-2-1):**
1.
I
WILL LOVE
YOU SO MUCH
YOU SHOULD BELIEVE
IN MY WORDS
TELL YOU
WHY.
2.
GO
TO HER
YOU ASK HER
FOR A FAVOR
IF SHE’LL SHOW
YOU GET
GO.
TRAPEZIUM MORPHOSEMANTIC
1.
**Quadret (1-2-2-3):**
LIFE
HAS A
HUNDRED
VIVES
2.
PEACE
WILL NOT
SIMPLY
CEASE
**Hexametric Knot HEXET (1-2-3-3-2-1):**
1.
I
WILL SEE
NOT DISMAY
LET WHAT MAY
COME WAY
FLY
2.
WHY
YOU CRY
AFTER NAUGHT
BETTER BOUT
WITH THEM
FIE
**OCTET (1-2-3-4-4-3-2-1):**
1.
I
WILL LOVE
YOU SO MUCH
WILL NOT YOU LEAVE
YOU SHOULD BELIEVE
IN MY WORDS
TELL YOU
WHY.
Each Pokhreli Knot stanza forms a morphological triangle, with the central line culminating at the apex, creating a visually striking and harmonious structure. Unlike traditional forms like haiku, the Pokhreli Knot allows for expansion into septets, octets, and beyond, providing poets with ample room for creativity and expression.
Moreover, the deliberate selection of words with specific syllabic counts ensures not only the structural integrity of the poem but also the seamless rhyming of the opening and closing monosyllabic words, lending a sense of unity and cohesion to the verse. Furthermore, the potential for intermediary lines to rhyme adds a layer of musicality and depth to each stanza, enriching the reader’s auditory experience.
Pokharel’s Pokhreli Knots stand as a testament to the beauty and versatility of this innovative form, inviting poets to explore new avenues of creative expression and push the boundaries of poetic tradition. Through its meticulous structure and rhythmic precision, the Pokhreli Knot captivates the imagination and touches the soul, leaving an indelible mark on the world of poesie for generations to come.
(Santosh Kumar Pokharel is a Global Poet of our time. Multilingual poet Pokharel writes in six languages and has published six books. His thousands of poems dedicated to different walks of life have found places in media worldwide. Santosh Kumar Pokharel is an exceptionally devoted poet who has promulgated a new style of poetry making for the poetry world. We hope his debut of Pokhreli Knots will kick off a new era specially for those who loved Haiku and blank verses. The poet can be accessed at poetsantosh@gmail.com)
