Originally posted on December 10, 2008, we are re-posting this so that as many writers as possible may see it, and participate. 

It is a two-part challenge:

1. Write a seasonal poem about anything which the current season inspires in you. This challenge is not limited to the fall/winter season (some of us are in the spring/summer season); nor is it limited to the Christmas, Hanukkah, or any other religious/ethnic season. Of course, any and all of the foregoing are included in this challenge; we just do not mean to limit it in any way. The challenge is meant to inspire texts which result from your own, personal interpretations of the word seasonal.

2. Write the poem in the form of a rubaiyat. A rubaiyat is a series of rubais, which are quatrains, rhymed a-a-b-a. They may either be connected in subject matter, or not. Probably the most well-known rubaiyat is The Rubaiyat:

http://classics.mit.edu/Khayyam/rubaiyat.html

Please, do not interpret this to mean that you must write one of that length, though. The "series of rubais" can be anything from 2 rubais to as many as you want. Here are two of the rubais (aka quatrains) from The Rubaiyat, as an example:

And, as the Cock crew, those who stood before
The Tavern shouted--"Open then the Door!
You know how little while we have to stay,
And, once departed, may return no more."

Come, fill the Cup, and in the fire of Spring
Your Winter-garment of Repentance fling:
The Bird of Time bas but a little way
To flutter--and the Bird is on the Wing.

For those interested in a more in-depth analysis of the form, copy and paste this link into your browser:

http://www.baymoon.com/~ariadne/form/rubaiyat.htm

Please indicate on your posts that they are for the challenge by including something like "seasonal challenge" or "rubaiyat challenge" in your titles. It makes it easier to monitor and collect. The results will be collected and posted together when the challenge ends, which will be on December 20, 2008, at 12:01 AM CET.

Needless to say, this challenge is open to all members of PoetBay. Go for it; and, whatever you do, have fun and ‘Keep Writing'!