The BELL is a new poetry form that combines a visual image in the layout with a counter-point 'hammer' or message in the ending.
The BELL is an elongated version of a Cinquain, but is much simpler only requiring syllable counts. The Ninette form (nine lines with syllables increasing and then decreasing) is very similar to the BELL form, but lacks its shape and form.
The BELL has 9 lines and rigid syllable count of 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 8, 2, 1, respectively. There can be more than one stanza.
It is formatted with centre alignment to highlight the bell shape. The last two lines are the 'hammer' that rings the BELL. This is where the counter-point or 'sting' lies. It is similar in some ways to the 'Cutting’ Word of a Haiku (It cuts the stream of thought and suggests a link to something that follows or for the reader to contemplate).
The 'argument' or idea is developed and built-up with the sequence of 7 longer lines, followed by the 'hammer'.
The BELL sounds very well when recited.
However, it is not meant to always related to bell or sounds. The topic can be anything at all.
Examples
Bell is Cup
A
bell is
a cup upside
down, shaped to resonate
a chime and ring, when hammer strikes
the bell cup, and makes it ring its key note
big bells make deep guttural gongs,
small bells
ping
What Love is
Love
Goes on
Forevermore
Love seeks healing, not hurt
Love is patient, never quits
You can keep trust in love when everthying else fails
Love your family, friends, county
Never
Hate