“A quatrain is a stanza or verse in poetry that has four lines. It often follows a rhyming formula of ‘couplets’, ‘alternating rhymes’ and ‘enclosed rhymes’,” writes Whimsy columnist CLIVE WILLIAMS.

“TS Eliot’s face had deep lines. I cannot say the same for his poetry.” –Melville Cane

Not many people know what a quatrain is, but I’m about to tell you. A quatrain is a stanza or verse in poetry that has four lines. 

It often follows a rhyming formula of “couplets”, “alternating rhymes” and “enclosed rhymes”. 

In a couplet, the first and second lines rhyme, as do the third and fourth lines. 

In alternating rhymes, the first and third lines rhyme, as do the second and fourth lines. 

In enclosed rhymes, the first and fourth lines rhyme, as do the second and third lines. There are two other variations – where only two of the four lines rhyme, or none of them rhyme. 

I personally like my poetry to rhyme; I’m not much into poetry that doesn’t. Some of my favourite quatrains are below:

Poet Edna St. Vincent Millay:

My candle burns at both ends;

It will not last the night;

But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends – 

It gives a lovely light!

This quatrain means that the speaker lives intensely and passionately, knowing it shortens her life. Despite its brevity, her life shines brilliantly, admired by both friends and foes. It could describe the life of someone such as Marilyn Monroe. The poem is quoted in the 2025 movie My Oxford Year when student Anna attends her first poetry seminar at Oxford.

Poet Emily Dickinson:

Because I could not stop for Death –

He kindly stopped for me –

The Carriage held but just Ourselves –

And Immortality.

This quatrain means that death comes inevitably and gently – not violently. The speaker is taken on a journey by Death, suggesting a calm, inevitable passage from life to eternity.

Author Edward Monckton on the Zen Dog (portrayed floating serenely on the ocean in a tub):

He knows not where he’s going

For the ocean will decide

It’s not the destination,

It’s the glory of the ride.

This quatrain emphasises that it’s the journey through life that’s important, not the final destination. In other words, enjoy the moment.

Poet Ogden Nash wrote one of the shortest quatrains:

Candy

Is dandy,

But liquor

Is quicker.

The meaning of this quatrain is obvious. While candy is pleasant, liquor acts faster – implying it more quickly affects people’s behaviour or judgment. 

Some quatrains are structured unconventionally. Leo Marks, renowned for his cryptographic work during World War II, also composed poignant poetry.

One of his notable poems is The Life That I Have, written on Christmas Eve in 1943. It was crafted in memory of his girlfriend, Ruth, who tragically died in a plane crash in Canada.

Marks later provided the poem to Violette Szabo, a British Special Operations Executive agent, to use as a cipher during her mission in occupied France.

The poem is structured in four quatrains. This structure contributes to the poem’s rhythmic flow and memorability, which was crucial for its use as a cipher.

The life that I have

Is all that I have

And the life that I have

Is yours.

The love that I have

Of the life that I have

Is yours and yours and yours.

A sleep I shall have

A rest I shall have

Yet death will be but a pause.

For the peace of my years

In the long green grass

Will be yours and yours and yours.

As a postscript, Violette Szabo was captured by the Germans in 1944 after her mission was compromised. She was imprisoned, interrogated  and eventually sent to Ravensbrück concentration camp, where she was executed at the age of 23.

On a happier note: Stanley the snail slides into a car dealership and picks out a sporty subcompact. While dealing with the salesperson, Stanley says: “I want a large ‘S’ painted on the sides and bonnet of the car.” The puzzled salesperson asks “Why would you want large S’s painted on a brand-new car? Is it because your name is Stanley?” Stanley replies: “Not at all. When I’m driving down the road, I just want everyone to say, “Look at that S car go!””

Clive Williams is a Canberra columnist