Englyn Milwr, (pronounced en-glin mee-loor), is a unit of three lines in which the end words rhyme. The three line format is referred to as a tercet rhyming pattern. This poem is of Welsh origin and generally has a theme of war. It is called the "Soldier's Englyn." Each line has seven (7) syllables and there is no limit to the number of stanzas the poem may have. This form is thought to have derived from the inscriptions on the Roman tombs in Wales. This style consists of three seven-syllable lines that rhyme. There exist eight types of Englyn poetry of which Englyn Milwr is only one type. The eight types of Englyn poems are as follows: Englyn milwr, Englyn penfyr, Englyn unodl union, Englyn unodl crwc, Englyn cyrch, Englyn proest dalgron, Englyn lleddfbroest, and Englyn proest gadwynog. The following is an example of the Englyn Milwr:
Soldier's Lamenting Thoughts
A soldier waved in passing
Heading for the front laughing
He was old and joints aching
By his wave I heard him say
Pray for me on this great day
That I may come back this way
One passed with a bandaged head
He had a pocket with meds
His army shirt was in shreds
One held me close to his chest
He seemed stronger that the rest
Saying they will do their best
Their echoes left me a song
I know they could not be wrong
They were singing very strong
Bombs dropped, men died, side by side
Loved ones at home wept and cried
In battle armies collide
One day I sat by the way
A soldier smiled that day
Going back the other way
He served his time on the lines
He gave me the blessing sign
Knelt, prayed and left me behind