Quatern
A quatern is a sixteen-line French poetic form made of four quatrains. It uses a refrain that moves downward through the poem. The first line of the first stanza becomes the second line of the second stanza, the third line of the third stanza, and the fourth line of the fourth stanza. Each line is often eight syllables, though rhyme is optional.

A quatern often includes: four quatrains, sixteen total lines, a moving refrain, repeated language, circular movement, and a gradual shift in meaning. The refrain should be strong enough to return in different positions without feeling forced.

To write a quatern, begin with a strong opening line. This line will become the refrain. Write the first quatrain with that line in position one. In stanza two, repeat it as line two. In stanza three, repeat it as line three. In stanza four, repeat it as line four. Keep the lines near eight syllables if using the traditional count.

The Bus Stop

The bus is late again today.
A lunchbox swings against one knee.
Three pigeons own the corner sign.
A boy counts gum spots silently.

The driver waves from blocks away.
The bus is late again today.
A woman checks her watch and sighs.
The boy salutes a passing jay.

The brakes complain. The doors fold wide.
Two workers climb in without speech.
The bus is late again today.
The boy sits just beyond their reach.

By noon the street forgets the crowd.
The pigeons take the curb for play.
A wrapper cartwheels past the drain.
The bus is late again today.

“The Bus Stop” follows the quatern form by using four quatrains and moving the refrain through the poem. The line “The bus is late again today” appears as line one in stanza one, line two in stanza two, line three in stanza three, and line four in stanza four. The repeated line changes slightly in feeling as the scene moves from waiting, to arrival, to departure, to absence.

Quatern is a traditional French repeating form. A stricter quatern keeps sixteen lines, four quatrains, eight syllables per line, and the moving refrain. A looser WoPoLian quatern may allow varied syllable count or slant rhythm, but the descending refrain should remain clear.