Four Than-Bauks - Andrew Barham

A Than-Bauk, conventionally a witty saying or epigram, is a three line "climbing rhyme" poem of Burmese origin. Each line has four syllables. The rhyme is on the fourth syllable of the first line, the third syllable of the second line, and the second syllable of the third line.

Four Than-Bauks - Andrew Barham

(I)

Sky, blue and clear
The Sun here comes
As near as thee

(II)

The Raven calls
Old Spruce falls down
One tall tree dies

(III)

Religious fear
Sends a tear down
Your serious face

(IV)

Begrimed with mud
Clotting blood on
A good man's hands

Andrew Barham