One of the most popular forms of American poetry, the blues poem stems from the African American oral tradition and the musical tradition of the blues.
A blues poem typically takes on themes such as struggle, despair, and sex. It often (but not necessarily) follows a form, in which a statement is made in the first line, a variation is given in the second line, and an ironic alternative is declared in the third line.
(Blues-style poem)
It’s the tradition, it’s the custom,
That you have to follow,
Oh, why you look so glum?
Those past get-together,
Where were you?
Your turn to pay now, don’t be a dodger!
The eating house is all cleaned up,
No trace of the lavish party,
Your modest monthly wage is too burnt up!
Image credit
by David Woo.
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