Sestini

A sestina is a type of fixed verse form consisting of six stanzas of six lines each, followed by a three-line envoi. The six lines of each stanza use the same six words at the end of the lines, but in six different sequences that follow a set pattern. All six words appear in the envoy, in the middle and at the end of the three lines.

The pattern for the end words is typically represented as follows:

Stanza 1: 1 2 3 4 5 6 Stanza 2: 6 1 5 2 4 3 Stanza 3: 3 6 4 1 2 5 Stanza 4: 5 3 2 6 1 4 Stanza 5: 4 5 1 3 6 2 Stanza 6: 2 4 6 5 3 1

The envoy typically uses the repeated end words two per line; the first repeated word appearing in the middle of the line, and the second repeated word appearing at the end of the line. The order in which the words appear can vary, though some poets strive to further intertwine the relationships between the words.

The origin of the sestina is attributed to Arnaut Daniel, a 12th-century Provençal troubadour. The form has been adopted and adapted by poets in numerous languages throughout history. While strict adherence to the end-word pattern is central, some variations exist, with poets occasionally using internal rhyme or other devices to enhance the musicality of the poem. The repeated words create a cyclical effect, often used to explore themes of obsession, memory, or cyclical patterns in life.