How does the poem 'Towards Autumn' exemplify the sestina form?

• A. It uses a simple four-line stanza rhyme.
• B. It has no end-word repetition.
• C. It is written as a single continuous line.
• D. It contains thirty-nine lines and six specific end words that follow a pattern.

Answer: (D)

A sestina relies on a strict repetition pattern. It uses six end words that appear at the ends of lines and are repeated through a fixed rotation across six six-line stanzas, followed by a three-line envoi, making a total of 39 lines. When a poem like Towards Autumn follows this exact structure—thirty-nine lines in total with six specific end words that recur in a predetermined order—it shows the form clearly. The repeated end words create unity and a musical momentum as images and ideas recur in different contexts throughout the poem.