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.

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.

• • 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Have poetry fun with the Cinquain!

All poems are original works by Michelle Liew Tsui-Lin, All Rights Reserved.