Rondeau Poems

A rondeau is a fixed French form built on two rhymes and a repeating refrain (the rentrement). Its musical return gives the poem a memorable circularity.

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Core characteristics of the rondeau:

• Structure: Traditionally 15 lines in 3 stanzas (5 / 4 / 6 lines).
• Rhyme & Refrain: Uses only two rhymes (often noted a and b) and a refrain R made from the opening phrase. A common scheme is aabba aabR aabbaR, where R is the short repeated refrain.
• Refrain (Rentrement): The refrain is usually the poem’s opening phrase (about a quarter to a half line) that returns at the ends of stanzas 2 and 3.
• Meter: Historically octosyllabic (8 syllables) in French; in English, meter is flexible, but tight rhythm enhances the songlike feel.
• Tone & Effect: The refrain reframes meaning as it returns—creating irony, deepening emotion, or sharpening focus.
• Variations: Related forms include the rondelet and rondeau redoublé, which elaborate the refrain and repetition patterns.

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In a strong rondeau, the refrain doesn’t just repeat—it evolves; each reappearance casts prior lines in a fresh light.