Writing a Cinquain poem
Poetry lovers might fall in love with the Cinquain, a short form of poetry that is concise and easy to write.
Despite its use of just a few syllables, it is a rich and vibrant poetic form. It's relatively short length makes it a favorite among poets, who enjoy the challenge of embracing their thoughts in a few words
It's a good addition on photos as well.
Origins of the Cinquain
The Cinquain form was founded by a school teacher, Adelaide Crapsey, who was in search of new poetic forms to all ow the girls at the preparatory school where she taught to explore.
It was founded in the spirit of imagists so it is definitely a form rich in imagery.
Based on the Japanese Haiku and Tanka, it relies on images to express the poet's thoughts.
Crapsey's collection of over 30 poems, The Verse, was published after she died in 1914.
Steps to writing the Cinquain
- The first line is a subject, usually a nouns that captures your thoughts.
- The next line is a description relating to the subject
- The third line involves an action done by the subject
- The fourth stresses the feelings or thoughts the poet wishes to expres
- The fifth is a synonym of the subject.
The form of the Cinquain
The Cinquain form developed in two stages. It began as a five line poem that had 1,2,3,4 then 1 syllable in each. This is an example the Cinquain in its original form, about the faithfulness of man's best friend.
Man's
Best friend.
He wags his tail
With his eyes affixed
Hard.
The Cinquain then became a 5 line form with 2,4,6,8 and 2 syllables in each line. This poem, expressing beauty as being in the eye of the beholder and beyond skin deep is an example of how the Cinquain developed.
The bird
Its feathers fall
To reveal its bare skin
That some will surely charm and grace
Beauty.
Some Cinquain Variants
Other Cinquain Forms
| Description
|
---|---|
Mirror Cinquain
| A form that involves the writing of the 5 line Cinquain in 2,4,6,8,2 syllables, followed by another in the reverse order.
|
Reverse Cinquain
| A form that has has the cinquain's syllables per line rearranged in 2,8,6,4,2
|
Butterfly Cinquain
| A 9 line Cinquain that has its syllables in 2,4,6,8,2,8,6,4,2
|
Crown Cinquain
| A sequence of 5 Cinquains linked to form a larger poem
|
Garland Cinquain
| A series of six Cinquains with lines formed from the preceding five. Typically, it's line one from Cinquain 1, line 2 from Cinquain 2 and so on.
|
Here are Cinquain variants to try.
How to write a cinquain
Points to note when writing the Cinquain
Not a form one can take too liberally, there are things to note when writing a Cinquain.
Form
Part of the beauty of the Cinquain is its adherence to form. Any variation is in the types of Cinquain there are.
Syllable groupings
Some poets recommend that the Cinquain be written in groups of two syllables or lambs. The first is unstressed while the second is.
Complexity
The Cinquain should be about non-complex subjects that concern many. Although they offer nuggets of worldly wisdom, the form is a little too short to embrace concepts like "the complexity of freedom" or "striking a balance with worldliness."
Nouns and verbs
Use simple nouns to address your thoughts on a subject. In the poem on the Yellow Rose I have written below, I have used the rose to address thougts on friendship.
Avoid adjectives and adverbs. Cinquains are more effective when nouns and verbs are used.
YellowRose
Cinquain : Friendship
The yellow rose symbolizes the acceptance, tolerance, and empathy that is needed in friendship. It reminds us of the need to be astute and aware of a friend's need for space. It tells us about the forgiveness and resilience that friendships need.
Trying Cinquain forms
Which Cinquain form would you like to try?
The Yellow Rose
A rose
A bloom that grows
To touch so many hearts
With branches grasping waiting fronds
Blossoms.
The stem
That stands upright
With strength that will endure
Unwatered soil that will so stress
It stands.
Its leaves
That open wide
To enfold and discern
The other leaves with greater need
Green base.
The bloom
Its petals open
Sense space that others need
To nurture roots or else to grow
Small strength
The rose
Of yellow bloom
That opens up
To freely add new life
To other roses that will plead
It loves.
Conclusion
Have poetry fun with the Cinquain!
All poems are original works by Michelle Liew Tsui-Lin, All Rights Reserved.
Other poetry articles by Michelle Liew
- Savoring the moment
Savoring important moments. - How the Spider Mum flower thrives:a sonnet on overco...
A sonnet on overcoming obstacles. - The benefits of chocolate, myths and a poem
On the benefits of chocolate, why we love chocolate, a few chocolate myths and an epulaeryu poem. - Holding sunlight in your hand: a song about how to s...
A little song about being positive despite the negativity of this world. - Blending notes of harmonic beauty: A villanelle
Living in harmony takes respect, patience and tolerance, but is a beautiful and wonderful achievement we should be thankful for. - Angelic voices sounding from above:a sonnet dedicati...
This is a little sonnet tribute to the children of Sandy Hook Elementary School, who passed away on the 14th of December, 2012 - Appreciating the rustic charm of the Singaporean co...
Blurb: On coffee shops in Singapore and a little sonnet. - The Rogue Wave, a sonnet on overcoming loneliness an...
On overcoming feelings of loneliness and the discomfort of being in crowds. - The songs that inspire us
An article on song lyrics that inspire us, and writing good song lyrics. - The dangers of disrespect and overcoming its consequ...
On the dangers of disrespect, coming out of its darkness and a trillinea poem. - What makes a person beautiful:nurturing beauty's tru...
On what makes a person truly beautiful
Comments
wow Michelle a wonderful hub just made for me. I have never heard of this poetry form and cannot wait to try my hand at it. I hope to share my first attempt very soon. This gem my dear friend I vote up, across and share onto my FB page A Brand New Dawn.. Enjoy your day and lots of love from Wales.
Eddy.
A useful and informative hub about cinquain. To say something in such a form in a few words is really a challenge and interesting way of expression. Thanks, Michelle.
Thanks for the interesting hub on Cinquain. I find this form of poetry to be very exhilarating and healing. I believe less is definitely better in this case and very powerful.
First I have ever heard of this, very interesting and great info! ^
Beautiful mind of thinking here and so much to ponder on about such poems
I had forgotten all about these from learning how to write them in school. Very creative!
I remember learning about Cinquain but forgot. Thanks for the reminder. These are really pretty. Fun to write!
I have already written some Cinquain poems with pupils. It's a very popular form of poetry at school but I didn't know it was founded by a school teacher. Thank you for sharing this interesting hub, the historical background and some beautiful samples of Cinquain poems. Very well done!
Another form of poem! Thanks Michelle. You always give us new ideas in writing.
Have a great day. :-)
Thank you for this great new form to explore I enjoyed your hub very much. Poetry month is coming up soon, I will include some of these different cinquains. Jamie
Really nicely done Michelle--I love this form as I do most all shorter forms--and your pieces do it justice!
I'd never heard of this form of poetry before. Thank you for introducing it to me. I'll have to try it.
I loved reading about its origin and honestly this is my first time reading about it :) thanks for the information.
will give it a try on my blog :)
sharing this hub across!
Very nicely done Michelle. I like that you gave some history and some great examples.
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