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The Bref Double
The bref double is a French form. It is similar to the sonnet, but it need not be written in iambic pentameter (it can be in tetrameter, hexameter, or any other meter you prefer). The rhyme scheme is also different from a sonnet. The bref double contains three quatrains (four-line stanzas) followed by a final couplet.
a/x/b/c
x/a/x/c
a/x/a/b
a/b
The x standing for a line that doesn’t rhyme with any of the other lines.
An example:
Road Closed...
With crystal rain, the sky is filled
with diamond flakes that swirl and dance
to tunes that they alone may know,
unheeded by the ears of man.
The northern winds play havoc with
mere mortal plans, as drifts now build
their buttresses of pristine white
as if to mark some hidden plan.
This land is decorated, chilled,
and sealed for all to gaze with joy;
see all the children laugh, so thrilled
to witness Mother Nature’s show!
Though my intent lies thwarted, killed,
my smile grows broad at so much snow!
Copyright soulsease 2003
Sources: www.geocities.com/soulsease1/f… and elfwood.lysator.liu.se/farp/th…
The bref double is a French form. It is similar to the sonnet, but it need not be written in iambic pentameter (it can be in tetrameter, hexameter, or any other meter you prefer). The rhyme scheme is also different from a sonnet. The bref double contains three quatrains (four-line stanzas) followed by a final couplet.
a/x/b/c
x/a/x/c
a/x/a/b
a/b
The x standing for a line that doesn’t rhyme with any of the other lines.
An example:
Road Closed...
With crystal rain, the sky is filled
with diamond flakes that swirl and dance
to tunes that they alone may know,
unheeded by the ears of man.
The northern winds play havoc with
mere mortal plans, as drifts now build
their buttresses of pristine white
as if to mark some hidden plan.
This land is decorated, chilled,
and sealed for all to gaze with joy;
see all the children laugh, so thrilled
to witness Mother Nature’s show!
Though my intent lies thwarted, killed,
my smile grows broad at so much snow!
Copyright soulsease 2003
Sources: www.geocities.com/soulsease1/f… and elfwood.lysator.liu.se/farp/th…
Recommended Literature
The bref double poem, compiled by 
Published:
© 2004 - 2021 poetic-forms
Comments16
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What makes a Bref Double not a sonnet?
The rhyme scheme of the sonnet is different, and so is the metre.
I'll keep that in mind. Thank you!
Great site! However, your definition of the Bref Double is a bit off! Check out [link] for an excellent definition, which I've also confirmed in standard printed texts on poetry forms.
Here's what it says:
It is composed of three quatrains and a couplet, all isosyllabic. It has three rhymes: a, b, and c. It has five lines (x) that are not part of the rhyme scheme. The c rhyme ends each quatrain (here's where it differ, importantly, from what's posted here). The a and b rhymes are found each somewhere within the three quatrains and once in the couplet. Each of the rhymes only occurs three times.
Thus, possible combinations could be:
a/x/a/c
b/x/b/c
x/x/x/c
a/b
or
a/x/x/c
b/x/x/c
a/b/x/c
b/a
etc.
However, a/x/b/c x/a/x/c a/x/a/b a/b, which is commonly cited, will not work as the third c rhyme is not used and b ends the third quatrain. the a rhymes also occurs 4 times.
I think that someone made an initial error online with the form some time ago and it's simply been propagated ever since.
While you've created a form that’s cool and many seem to like, it is not a traditional Bref Double!
Here's what it says:
It is composed of three quatrains and a couplet, all isosyllabic. It has three rhymes: a, b, and c. It has five lines (x) that are not part of the rhyme scheme. The c rhyme ends each quatrain (here's where it differ, importantly, from what's posted here). The a and b rhymes are found each somewhere within the three quatrains and once in the couplet. Each of the rhymes only occurs three times.
Thus, possible combinations could be:
a/x/a/c
b/x/b/c
x/x/x/c
a/b
or
a/x/x/c
b/x/x/c
a/b/x/c
b/a
etc.
However, a/x/b/c x/a/x/c a/x/a/b a/b, which is commonly cited, will not work as the third c rhyme is not used and b ends the third quatrain. the a rhymes also occurs 4 times.
I think that someone made an initial error online with the form some time ago and it's simply been propagated ever since.
While you've created a form that’s cool and many seem to like, it is not a traditional Bref Double!
err... *poetic-forms 
this is interesting. I used to, and still do, get alot of ideas for song lyrics....the concepts I think are pretty good, but when I write them using poetic verse, there always seems something not correct. The meter is wrong or I am breaking some rule that I am not aware of. I would like to learn more about different types of structures....if you have any examples of other forms I would like to see them.
there's a link to a crap-load of forms on the front page of :devpoeticforms: it's in the journal somewhere. At least it was last time I looked. It's pretty handy.
thanks....i will look.
Cool, I'm excited to give this a try...
I haven't yet thanked anyone for giving the descriptions of the forms....
so...
Thank you.
so...
Thank you.
groovy, you mind if i do one of these and copy your explination of what it is?
No, not at all, just give poetic-forms the credit for the write-up.
So typically French
Very nice example. Maybe I'll try this in french if I ever feel adventurous.
Wow! I really like this one. The rhyme scheme is so subtle.
An interesting structure. I shall have to try this one sometime.
Benedictions!
Benedictions!
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