Joisted Poems | Examples


List of Member Poems

Premium Member Grim Countdown

Six ravens, black as pitch - 
at the signal, all will switch.
One bird flies leaving five.  
While one man's soul is still alive, 
his body's in a ditch. 

Five monks in an abbey, cloiste'd 
with five cats 'neith ceilings, joisted.    
One forgot to say his prayers.  
His body's at the bottom of the stairs,  
while his soul is hoisted. 

Four candles, all aflame - 
don't you think it is a shame
that nobody heard the shout,
as one of them was snuffed out,
while no one knew his name.

Three little maids from school - 
one forgot the golden rule
leaving not a jot or clue.
Now there are but two. 
Don't play her for a fool.

Two paths vanished in the wood. 
Only one did as she should, 
taking the path less travelled...well, not quite, 
and returned on that frightful night. 
The other is gone for good.

The devil said, "You have one chance -
that is to say, 'May I have this dance?'"
And now my story's done,
because, alas, there are none.
Should I have warned you in advance?

Looking for the formal definition, structure, and history of this poetry form? Visit the Poetry Dictionary entry below. Then return to explore how PoetrySoup members bring the form to life through their own poems.

Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace