A pantoum is a Malaysian verse form adapted by French poets and occasionally imitated in English. It comprises a series of quatrains, with the second and fourth lines of each quatrain repeated as the first and third lines of the next. The second and fourth lines of the final stanza repeat the first and third lines of the first stanza.

Lambs.

past where the moon pins the sky

clamber aboard a running tram

let us go then, you and I

past the bleating of the lamb

clamber aboard a running tram

you keep the lighter in your pocket

past the bleating of the lamb

your cigarette glow for now is quiet

You keep the lighter in your pocket

“I have no tears left”, I say

Your cigarette glow, for now is quiet

Your smile falters as you look away.

“I have no tears left,” I say

“Nothing left of myself to give.”

Your smile falters as you look away

This old heart spawns no relief.

Nothing left of myself to give

past where the moon pins the sky

This old heart spawns no relief.

let us go then, you and I.