25 ABAB Poem Examples That Save You From “Writer’s Block”

Hi, Friend! Jen Glantz here. I’m a bestselling author, the first ever bridesmaid for hire and have been hired by hundreds of brides all over the world. Let’s talk about abab poem examples.

There is something incredibly soothing about a pattern. You know exactly what’s coming next, and your brain can just relax. That’s why the ABAB rhyme scheme is such a lifesaver. It feels steady. It feels sure.

I remember sitting in a hotel room before my best friend’s rehearsal dinner, staring at a piece of hotel stationery. My hands were actually shaking. I knew what I wanted to say, but everything I wrote down felt like a rambly mess. It wasn’t until I forced myself to find a rhythm—a simple, alternating beat—that the words finally clicked into place.

Quick Resources:

• Get help writing polished words fast with the AI Wedding Speech Generator

• Explore the full planning suite with All Wedding Tools

Whether you’re trying to write vows without crying, giving a toast that needs to be funny but not too funny, or just need a caption that isn’t the same old cliché, structure is your best friend. Here are 25 examples of how a simple rhyme scheme can take you from a blank page to a finished piece.

The Cheat Sheet (TL;DR)

In a rush? Here is the snapshot of why this works. Just remember: rhythm usually matters way more than the actual rhyme.

• Rhythm is Everything: If you have to rush the words to make them fit, cut them. The beat needs to be steady.

• Read the Room: ABAB is catchy, but it can sound like a nursery rhyme if you aren’t careful. Use grounded words for serious moments.

• Perfect vs. Slant: You can use “perfect rhymes” (cat/hat) for a traditional vibe, or “slant rhymes” (swarm/worm) if you want to sound more like a modern songwriter.

• It’s Versatile: You can use this for everything from 19th-century literature to a TikTok caption.

• It’s Okay to Ask for Help: Sometimes a template isn’t enough. There are pros who can take this off your plate entirely.

For moments that matter, get structured support from the AI Wedding Speech Generator.

How to Pick the Right Poem (Without Stressing Out)

Picking a poem—or writing one—is about more than just finding words that sound alike. It’s about the vibe.

If you know the tone but not the words yet, start with the AI Wedding Speech Generator.

The Rhythm (The “Stumble” Test)

The rhyme pattern hangs on the rhythm. If the rhythm breaks, the rhyme sounds forced. The best way to check this? Read it out loud.

Need help smoothing out the rhythm? Try drafting with the AI Wedding Speech Generator.

The “Stumble” Test:

• Bad Rhythm: “The sun is high / And the birds represent the song / The sky is blue / It won’t be long.” (See how you tripped over the second line?)

• Fixed Rhythm: “The sun is high / The birds in song / The sky is blue / It won’t be long.” (Much better. The beat is back.)

The Rhyme (Perfect vs. Slant)

You have a choice to make: do you want to sound formal, or do you want to sound conversational? “Perfect rhymes” feel traditional. “Slant rhymes” feel like how we actually speak.

Rhyme Type	What is it?	Example	Best For…
Perfect Rhyme	Exact sound match.	Light / Bright	Formal vows or serious ceremonies.
Slant Rhyme	Close enough matches.	Heart / Dark	Casual toasts and storytelling.
Eye Rhyme	Looks like it rhymes, but doesn’t.	Love / Move	Written cards only (don’t say these out loud!).

Watch Your Tone

Because ABAB is so musical, it can easily slide into “Dr. Seuss” territory. That’s great for a funny toast, but maybe not for a memorial or a serious vow. If the moment is heavy, keep your vocabulary grounded.

Keep it Simple

Unless you’re going for a vintage theme, skip the “thees” and “thous.” Use language people actually use in 2026. If your audience has to Google a word, you’ve lost them.

25 Examples to Get You Started

We’ve broken these down into categories so you can find exactly what fits your specific situation.

Category 1: The Classics (Timeless & Formal)

Sometimes, the old ways are the best ways. These are perfect for formal readings where you want to bring a little gravity to the room.

1. A Psalm of Life (Stanza 1) – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.

The Vibe: This is a wake-up call. It has a marching beat that grabs attention immediately. Great for motivational moments.

2. Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard (Stanza 1) – Thomas Gray

The curfew tolls the knell of parting day,
The lowing herd wind slowly o’er the lea,
The plowman homeward plods his weary way,
And leaves the world to darkness and to me.

The Vibe: Slow, steady, and reflective. This is the definition of “somber.” Use this when you want people to really sit and think.

3. A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal – William Wordsworth

A slumber did my spirit seal;
I had no human fears:
She seemed a thing that could not feel
The touch of earthly years.

The Vibe: Deeply emotional but very simple. It proves you don’t need big words to talk about big feelings like grief or eternal love.

4. Crossing the Bar (Stanza 1) – Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,

The Vibe: A classic farewell. The rhyme structure anchors it, making it feel peaceful rather than chaotic.

5. To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time (Stanza 1) – Robert Herrick

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old Time is still a-flying;
And this same flower that smiles today,
Tomorrow will be dying.

The Vibe: The original “YOLO.” It’s fast-paced and urges the listener to take action. A classic for a reason.

Category 2: Wedding Vows (The Romantic Stuff)

Writing vows is terrifying because you have to be vulnerable in front of an audience. These consistent rhythms act like a safety net for your nerves.

Turn scattered thoughts into vows with the AI Wedding Speech Generator.

From Brain to Paper:

• What you’re thinking: “I promise I’m not going anywhere, even when life gets scary.”

• How to write it: “When the world begins to shake (A) / And skies are turning gray (B) / A solemn promise I will make (A) / To love you every day (B).”

6. The Promise of Tomorrow

I take your hand within my own,
To walk this path with you.
No longer shall we be alone,
In everything we do.

The Vibe: Simple and sweet. The rhymes are easy to remember, which is crucial when you’re nervous at the altar.

7. The Steady Hand

When the world begins to shake,
And skies are turning gray,
A solemn promise I will make,
To love you every day.

The Vibe: This acknowledges that marriage isn’t always easy, but promises stability anyway.

8. Two Paths Merged

Two different roads have led us here,
To stand on common ground.
With every smile and happy tear,
A perfect love is found.

The Vibe: Great for couples who had a long or winding journey to finally finding each other.

9. The Quiet Moments

It isn’t just the grand display,
That makes my heart feel full.
It’s how you love me every day,
With force that’s beautiful.

The Vibe: Modern and honest. It uses a “slant rhyme” (full/beautiful) so it feels less rigid.

10. The Adventure Begins

The map is blank, the car is gassed,
We have no place to be.
The lonely days are in the past,
It’s now just you and me.

The Vibe: Fun and adventurous. Perfect for the couple that would rather be on a road trip than at a fancy gala.

Category 3: Maid of Honor / Best Man Toasts (The Crowd Pleasers)

A toast has a different job than a vow. You need to entertain, bring up some memories, and then pivot to a sweet ending.

Balance humor and heart easily using the AI Wedding Speech Generator.

Speech Element	The Vows	The Toast
Goal	Promises.	Entertainment.
Rhyme Style	Perfect rhymes (adds weight).	Slant rhymes (adds wit).
Topic	The future.	The past & funny stories.
Tone	Sincere and slow.	Upbeat and engaging.

11. The Childhood Friend

We played with dolls and scraped our knees,
In backyards full of dirt.
Now you’re the bride everyone sees,
In that stunning wedding skirt.

The Vibe: Nostalgic. It bridges the gap between “remember when we were five?” and “look at you now.”

12. The Partner Approval

I looked at him with skeptical eyes,
To see if he was true.
But now I see without disguise,
He’s perfect just for you.

The Vibe: The classic “protective best friend” trope. It resolves the tension nicely in the last line.

13. The Party Starter

The ceremony part is done,
The rings are on the hand.
It’s time to have a little fun,
And dance to hold the band.

The Vibe: High energy. This is how you get people out of their seats and onto the dance floor.

14. The Sentimental Toast

To find a love that feels like home,
Is rare and hard to find.
No matter where you choose to roam,
Leave worries far behind.

The Vibe: A classic blessing. It’s safe, warm, and works for literally any couple.

15. The Advice Giver

Don’t go to bed while you are mad,
Remember how to talk.
Through times of good and times of bad,
Together you must walk.

The Vibe: A gentle nudge of advice. The rhyme makes the advice feel timeless rather than preachy.

Category 4: Friendship (Platonic Love)

Why should romance get all the poetry? These are for the friends who have been there through it all.

16. The Anchor

When life became a stormy sea,
You kept me from the drift.
You always stood right next to me,
Your friendship is a gift.

The Vibe: Sincere and grateful. Great for a “Thank You” card after a tough time.

17. Distance Doesn’t Matter

Though miles may keep us far apart,
And time zones merge and fade.
You hold a place inside my heart,
A foundation we have made.

The Vibe: For the long-distance bestie. It emphasizes that physical distance doesn’t break the bond.

18. The Secret Keeper

You know the stories no one knows,
The tears that I have cried.
As our connection grows and grows,
I’m glad you’re on my side.

The Vibe: Intimate. It acknowledges the history you share that nobody else understands.

19. Through the Storm

The umbrella that you held for me,
When rain began to pour.
Is why I want the world to see,
I couldn’t love you more.

The Vibe: Uses a clear metaphor (the umbrella) to say “I love you” without making it romantic.

20. The Unspoken Bond

We do not need a lot of words,
To know just what we think.
Like migrating and flocking birds,
We’re totally in sync.

The Vibe: Casual and fun. Using “sync” creates a modern, easy-going feel.

Category 5: Social Captions (Short & Witty)

You don’t need a novel to get engagement. Sometimes a four-line rhyme is exactly what your feed needs.

Platform	Length	Strategy	How to do it
Instagram	4 Lines	Aesthetic	Use it as the caption with a few emojis.
TikTok	2-4 Lines	Trendy	Put the text on screen over the beat.
LinkedIn	4-8 Lines	Motivational	Use it to break up a long story.

21. The Coffee Lover

The morning light is far too bright,
My eyes are heavy still.
But coffee makes everything right,
And gives me strength of will.

The Vibe: Relatable. Everyone loves a coffee post.

22. The Weekend Vibe

The laptop closes for the week,
The emails fade away.
It is the freedom that I seek,
On this fine Saturday.

The Vibe: That specific “Friday at 5 PM” feeling.

23. The Hustle

I work until the sun goes down,
To build a life I love.
I’ll wear my effort like a crown,
And rise high up above.

The Vibe: A bit of a flex, but a humble one. Good for career updates.

The Caption Upgrade:

• Boring Caption: “Finally catching a flight. Can’t wait for vacation!”

• Fun Caption: “A passport full of different stamps (A) / A suitcase by the door (B) / From city lights to forest camps (A) / I always ask for more (B).”

24. The Travel Bug

A passport full of different stamps,
A suitcase by the door.
From city lights to forest camps,
I always ask for more.

The Vibe: Wanderlust. The rhythm feels like movement.

25. The Self-Care Reminder

To take a breath and pause a while,
Is not a waste of time.
To find your joy and find your smile,
Is truly quite sublime.

The Vibe: Gentle and calming. A nice break from the noise of social media.

How This Ties Back to Bridesmaid for Hire

Finding the right words for a wedding—whether you are the bride, the groom, or the Maid of Honor—can feel like a full-time job. You might find yourself scrolling through hundreds of poems at 2 AM, trying to find one that doesn’t sound cheesy or totally outdated.

This is exactly where Bridesmaid for Hire steps in.

While understanding a rhyme pattern is helpful, executing a speech or managing the emotions of a wedding day requires more than just poetry; it requires a professional support system.

• We Write the Hard Stuff: If you are struggling to write a Maid of Honor speech or wedding vows that flow smoothly, we have tools and services for that. We take the stress out of the creative process so you can focus on the delivery.

• Your “Professional Bestie”: A good poem provides a steady rhythm. Jen Glantz and her team provide a steady hand during the chaos of wedding planning. From handling family drama to getting the party started, BFH acts as the anchor to your wedding day chaos.

• Total Stress Relief: Hiring a professional bridesmaid isn’t just about having someone in a dress; it’s about hiring an expert problem solver. You can unclench your jaw knowing that whether it’s a wardrobe malfunction or a speech that needs polishing, you have an unbiased expert by your side.

Whether you need a simple rhyme for a toast or a professional to manage the entire bridal party, Bridesmaid for Hire ensures you never have to walk down the aisle (or stand up to speak) alone.

Final Thoughts

Poetry isn’t just for academics; it’s a framework for our emotions. The ABAB structure gives you a predictable, comforting rhythm that allows your message to land with clarity. Whether you choose a classic verse from the 19th century or a modern caption for your weekend update, the goal remains the same: to connect. Use these examples to find your voice, but don’t be afraid to let your own personality break through the meter.