Friday Runoff #4 - Changing an Arrogant Name

9/13/24

Introduction

Friday the 13th calls for a moment of change. This feels like an opportunity, a moment to do what we want to do, ya know?

Faust Form is now Fischer Form.

Firstly, Faust Form was an arrogant name. I made a poetry structure that I like using then named it like it only came from me, that my creation isn’t an amalgamation of teachings from everyone who pushed me. Calling it Faust Form makes it about me when this, in fact, is for everyone who introduced this structure. That’s disrespectful to the teachers I’ve had.

Secondly, Fischer Form sounds cooler.

Anyway, I’m finishing an essay I hope to have out Sunday or Monday. For now, please see Fischer Form below:

New Work - Fischer Form

it looked like any other shitting LA building

main street, far Hollywood
so different from home
you’re not here for the outside

tattoo gun ever so thin
snares its way across your skin

standup downstairs as you leave

---

canines

the fox runs down the hallway
digs under the rug
bites the wall with sharp teeth

melt into the moon
you have to leave soon

don’t talk to me just close the door

---

trust

Instead of closing the blind,
I move back and the sun
falls across the desk.

warm, broken light tumbling through the window
climbs up my arm, close my eyes, breathing slow

giving control; to enjoy

Explanation of Fischer Form

I made this structure as a challenge to create. I wanted some rules but also flexibility because I want to see how different poets approach the framework. The rules are:

the first line is 5, 6, or 7 syllables
the second line is 5, 6, or 7 syllables, but can't be the same number of syllables as the first line
the third line is the last option of 5, 6, or 7

Instead of closing the blind (7)
I move back and the sun (6)
falls across the desk. (5)

the 4th and 5th lines rhyme and have the same syllable count

warm, broken light tumbling through the window (10)
climbs up my arm, close my eyes, breathing slow (10)

the last line is 5, 6, or 7 syllables

giving control; to enjoy

If you want to give it a try, please let me know what you think! Nathanfaustwriting@gmail.com or message me on Substack :)