A pantoum is a poetic form that originated in Malaysia and became popular in Western poetry in the 19th century. It is known for its musical, echoing quality, created through a specific pattern of repeating lines.

​

Structure of a Pantoum:

​

Each stanza typically has four lines (a quatrain).

​

The second and fourth lines of each stanza are repeated as the first and third lines of the next stanza.

​

The final stanza often brings the poem full circle by repeating lines from the first stanza. Sometimes the first and third lines of the first stanza become the second and fourth lines of the last stanza.