Ode For Ben Bulben ( An Ode )

Structure
The Ode

Originally the ode was a Greek form of dramatic poetry involving dancing and singing . Some Odes tend to be irregular with no meter pattern .

An Ode should focus on a high expression of lyrical poetry . It should offer loftier content matter with dignified usage of the English vocabulary .

Most odes are long lyrical pieces .

Itr would be advise look seriously at the subject matter .

If possible write on a theme or topic that you enjoy then consider a serious edge on that theme . Try to introduce beauty in your words . Those moments in your poem can be discovered . Generally the ode is better written in the 10-line stanza style of iambic verse as previously mentioned in the Quatrain structure . An example of the structure could be an ababcdecde rhyme scheme.

An Example

To Autumn
by John Keats
1.
SEASON of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;
To bend with apples the moss'd cottage-trees,
And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;
To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells
With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,
And still more, later flowers for the bees,
Until they think warm days will never cease,
For Summer has o'er-brimm'd their clammy cells.

2.
Who hath not seen thee oft amid thy store?
Sometimes whoever seeks abroad may find
Thee sitting careless on a granary floor,
Thy hair soft-lifted by the winnowing wind;
Or on a half-reap'd furrow sound asleep,
Drows'd with the fume of poppies, while thy hook
Spares the next swath and all its twined flowers:
And sometimes like a gleaner thou dost keep
Steady thy laden head across a brook;
Or by a cyder-press, with patient look,
Thou watchest the last oozings hours by hours.

3.
Where are the songs of Spring? Ay, where are they?
Think not of them, thou hast thy music too,--
While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day,
And touch the stubble plains with rosy hue;
Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn
Among the river sallows, borne aloft
Or sinking as the light wind lives or dies;
And full-grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn;
Hedge-crickets sing; and now with treble soft
The red-breast whistles from a garden-croft;
And gathering swallows twitter in the skies.

My Example

Ode For Ben Bulben
By Paul McCann

1

Once more to go , beyond County Sligo ,
With thoughts of the country I've come to know .
A vision beyond Ben Bulbens delight .
Where dark clouds part to the morning sunlight .
Twelve misty peaks over green grassy glens ,
Displayed there are natures high clustered Bens .
From the ground to the top are paths to tread ,
For the pilgrims to ascent where they're led .
Who hears pilgrims prayers in heavenly flight ,
As angels wait bathed in morning sunlight .

2

Generations of Gaels soft spoken words
Have been carried by wings of the birds .
In a rapturous song perfectly sung .
on twelve peaks strange shadowy shapes have clung .
Thick are the clouds found to be coming down
In a mist covering this holy ground .
Oh what a sight welcomes all those who might ,
find their way to the mountain top at night .
A star clustered show at County Sligo ,
Shines a glittering ethereal hello .

3

Majestic the sight from heavenly height,
As on the summit humble prayers take flight .
God has cradled there in heavens soft glow ,
Something of a miracle to bestow .
A beauty rare, you can never compare ,
All we can do is for that moment share .
A grateful prayer for all that we see
Oh what splendour to my God glory be .
So if your feet are set on a path there ,
come back home safe on a wing and a prayer

Focus on the epode of an ode

Epode - The part of the Ode that is written as a resolution, usually employing all forms of the previous two stanzas. And is commonly voiced as though both sides were in unison.