Ballad Stanza

A ballad stanza is a four-line stanza commonly found in English ballads, characterized by a rhyme scheme of ABCB. The first and third lines are typically unrhymed and contain four metrical feet (often in iambic meter), while the second and fourth lines rhyme and also consists of four metrical feet. This structure contributes to the musical quality and storytelling nature of ballads.

The Voting Game

In the booth where choices loom,
The pencil waits, we must decide.
But who would think the truth’s a lie?
The ads all boast; they won’t abide.

With ballots cast, we play the game,
Each mark a hope, a dream in flight.
The pundits speak of doom and gloom,
Yet all we seek is peace tonight.

With banners bright, the candidates cheer,
They promise hope, yet still deceive.
They claim to care, to serve the most,
But who among them can believe?

For every name upon that list—
A vow is made, but oft denied.
The candidates all smile and greet,
But who can say they’ve truly tried?

The lines are long, the clock ticks slow,
Each vote we cast, a paper trail.
As ballots fade, our hopes grow dim.
Yet still we stand, confused and frail.

Yet year by year, we persevere,
And fill the box with faith held tight.
As dreams of change begin to fade,
In this grand game of black and white.

So cast your vote, embrace the farce,
With hopeful hearts, when doubts collide.
Blame and fame won the vote we know—
The vote’s a jest; who takes the ride?

Breakdown (First Stanza):
In the booth where choices loom (8 syllables, 4 metrical feet, iambic tetrameter)
The pencil waits, we must decide (8 syllables, 4 metrical feet, iambic tetrameter)
But who would think the truth’s a lie? (8 syllables, 4 metrical feet, iambic tetrameter)
The ads all boast; they won’t abide (8 syllables, 4 metrical feet, iambic tetrameter)

This creates a musical and rhythmic quality that suits the storytelling nature of the poem, reinforcing the themes of election, politics, and the emotional tension tied to the voting process. The refrain-like repetition and rhythmic structure help underscore the cyclical nature of voting and the frustration that often accompanies it.