Trochaics

A poem in the rhythm of ‘Hiawatha’ entitled ‘Breakfast’

When, as now, the poet’s object

Is to write in verse trochaic,

Choosing ‘Breakfast’ as a subject

Might appear, at first, prosaic.

‘Breakfast’ may not seem exciting

To the novice trochee-trainee

Till he notices, when writing,

‘Breakfast’ is itself a trochee!

Breakfast greets us when we waken:

Cornflakes, muesli, porridge, coffee,

Kippers, mushrooms, sausage, bacon –

Every single one a trochee!

No one fond of form’s mosaic

Doubts, like other more myopic,

That, for crafting words trochaic

‘Breakfast’ makes the perfect topic.