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Form

Wuta have up to seven stanzas, and the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyme. There are four lines per stanza, with the syllabic pattern 6,6,8,7. A stanza scans as follows:

Ba-bump, ba-bump, ba-bump, Ba-bump, ba-bump, ba-bump, Ba-bump, ba-bump, ba-bump, ba-bump, Ba-bump, biddy-bump, ba-bump.

Content

Wuta often present a complex interweaving of biblical and political themes, and may contain sexual allusions. They generally tell a story and finish with a moral lesson.

Wuta that exhibit all the formal and content characteristics described here are called 'classic' Wuta. Pieces that have some, but not all, of these characteristics are called 'spurious' Wuta.

History and Historical Influence

The earliest known author to use the Wuta was Conan the Barbarian in his love poetry to Red Sonja. In his barbaric way, Conan identified himself as the author, even though it is tradition that Wuta are published anonymously.

Recently, a document fragment found in the ruins of a Zen monastery suggests that it may be possible that the Wuta could have been an influence in the development of Haiku. It may have influenced other poetic forms as well, such as the Sedoka (three lines per stanza, syllabic pattern 5-7-7), the Choka (5-7-5), and the five line, 31-syllable Tanka (syllabic pattern 5-7-5-7-7). ¹

Wuta Influence on Modern Poetry

The Wuta's combination of biblical and political themes has also apparently influenced the new poets of the Midwestern Venice School, so-called because of the location of early poetry readings by members of the school.

A panel of scholars is currently analyzing the works of St. Louis poet John Newmark, because the content of Newmark's work exhibits Wuta features. They are attempting to identify characteristic Wuta metric patterns concealed in Newmark's poems. To do so, they have abandoned the form of the original poems, recasting the words into conveniently rearranged lines.

Consider this example, drawn from Newmark's seminal 1997 work, Spiced Wine.

From "The Fruit Fly"

Original And we're poisoning his food. I'm sure he wouldn't like it if he knew    what we were doing. Save the Endangered Fruit Fly! Let them eat our crops. We can grow more.

Wuta Reconstruction We're poisoning his food. I'm sure he wouldn't like It if he knew what we were do- ing. Save the Endangered Fruit Fly! Let them eat our crops. We can grow more.

It is believed that Newmark is completely unaware of the influence that Wuta exert on his work. For this reason we call such occurrences, 'subliminal Wuta.'

An Example of Classic Wuta

For those who have never read a complete Wuta, an example follows. In keeping with Wuta tradition, it is anonymous and without a title.

It is not widely known, The Bible scholars say, But Jacob of the Israelites Belonged to the NRA. John Ashcroft was his guide, And hunting all his joys. But then he dreamed his fondest dream, He longed for some baby boys. His rifle he laid down In favor of his gun. He looked at all his wives in turn And said, "Now let's have some fun!" And so to get twelve sons, He chose the proven way. He conjugated with his wives Each night, and the livelong day. Beget, begat, begot. He liked it, oh, and how! When friends asked him to hunt, he said, "Go 'way. We're begetting now." The moral of this tale? Skip rhetoric and fights, And find new ways to exercise Your second ammendment rights. Live ammo you can use Like Jacob have your fun: He wasn't firing blanks, you see, He had a begatling gun.

¹ Further details on these forms can be found at Ahapoetry.