The first line is also the last line.

Each line has the same number of syllables as the first line.

Each stanza has four lines.

Each line is repeated once in a specific order and provides the rhyme scheme.

In a four stanza Pantoum the rhyme scheme is:

ABAB, BCBC, CDCD, DADA.

The first line of the first stanza becomes the last line of the last stanza.

The second line of the first stanza becomes the first line of the next stanza

The third line of the first stanza becomes the second line of the last stanza

The forth line of the first stanza becomes the third line of the next stanza

The second and forth line of the stanzas between the first and last stanzas become the first and third lines of the stanza following it.

Example:

To Be Without

By John Palozzi

I'll find myself a bench all right

On highway's curb or park's dark path

Hard bench will be my house this night

A house that has no bed or bath

On highway's curb or park's dark path

With food I eat that won't be hot

A house that has no bed or bath

No kitchen with a coffee pot

With food I eat that won't be hot

No yacht, no wife, no kids, no cars

No kitchen with a coffee pot

But shopping cart, with cans from bars

No yacht, no wife, no kids, no cars

Hard bench will be my house this night

But shopping cart, with cans from bars

I'll find myself a bench all right

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