*920 Topaz Birthstone Of November Poem by John Knight

The form of this poem is an OCTAMETER - OCTRAIN. That is a poem in which each line has eight syllables and each verse eight lines. Read it as you would read Longfellow's Hiawatha and you will appreciate how smoothly it flows. The first and last lines of each of the first three verses are identical. The last verse encapsulates all these six lines and is a PALINDROME. I am a protagonist of 'Structure in Poetry'.

Perfect orthorhombic crystals
Found on Island of Topazos
Yellow pink and green and crimson
Our ancestors called it Topaz.
Precious gemstone for adornment
Of the lovely Roman Ladies
Rings and strings of beads for necklace
Perfect orthorhombic crystals.

Topaz pure and lovely gemstone
Bright transparent saffron yellow
Prized talisman in Sri Lanka
Worn for health and wealth and wisdom.
Also prized by ancient Romans
NATURA - DEFICIT - FORTUNA
MATATUR - DEUS - CERNIT - OMNIA
Topaz pure and lovely gemstone.

Topaz birthstone of November
Linked with Zodiac sign of Scorpio
Symbolizing love and friendship
Strength and blancing emotions.
Energy from Planet Pluto
Focussed through this precious gemstone
Into hearts of all who wear her
Topaz birthstone of November.

Topaz formed in cooling magma
Perfect orthorhombic crystals
Topaz pure and lovely gemstone
Topaz birthstone of November.
November of birthstone Topaz
Gemstone lovely and pure Topaz
Crystals orthorhombic perfect
Magma cooling in formed Topaz.

Dedicated to the PH Ladies - whose individual beauty
would enhance the brilliance of a perfect TOPAZ.

(John Knight - Colchester - 21 January 2010)