DECIMA FORM

The decima of Puerto Rico is a style of poetry that is octosyllabic and has 10 lines to the stanza. The rhyming scheme is ABBAACCDDC. It is spoken, sung and written throughout Latin America with variations in different countries.  A person who writes or improvises décima is known as a decimista or decimero.

Good Intentions

I wish to rid this world of stress

make everyone a happy soul

to ease all pain; maintain control

provide all people food and dress

to turn sadness to happiness

I wish for this with all my heart

Try as I may I cannot start

For I am only one, you see

My own emotions hinder me

until I can't tell them apart