you’re invited to join in, too!
For December’s Pensieve’s Poetic License, our theme is celebration; poetic form, cinquain.
Want this button?
Ahhhh, cinquain–I can see the gears s l o w l y revolving as you try to recall exactly what that is. Why, writing poetry couldn’t be any easier than this–it’s a simple formula. The only problem is, after a little investigation, I realized there are multiple formulas for writing cinquain.
First, let’s back up a little–the history.
New York native, Adelaide Crapsey originated the cinquain, influenced by the Japanese haiku and less familiar tanka. Although not published until after her death at only 36, she is credited with creating the only poetic genre native to America. Here are two of my favorites of hers:
Listen.
With faint dry sound,
Like steps of passing ghosts,
The leaves, frost-crisp’d, break from the trees
And fall.
These be
Three silent things:
The falling snow…the hour
Before the dawn…the mouth of one
Just dead.
Chipper, wasn’t she? Her work MUST have been heavily influenced by her own poor health, the death of her sister following graduation, her minister-father’s trial for heresy and subsequent removal from ministry, and the death of her brother. Throw in a name like "Crapsey" and she was destined for a hard-knock life.
Interestingly, I didn’t find her poems to be in keeping with my perception of modern-day cinquain. Hers, to me, were more poetic; today’s are more formulamatic. Whatever the case, it’s time to stop stalling and for you to go forth and conquer the genre. I KNOW you can do it!
Here are three methods for writing a cinquain, you may recall others:
| Line 1: | a one-word line, a noun, that gives the poem its title |
| Line 2: | two adjectives that describes what the poem is about |
| Line 3: | three action -ing verbs that describe something the subject of the poem does |
| Line 4: | a phrase that indicates a feeling related to the subject of the poem |
| Line 5: | a one-word line, noun, that sums about the poem is about, essentially renaming it |
(From Read-Write-Think)
A second method:
First Line: 2 syllables – One word, giving
title for your subject
Second Line: 4 syllables – Two words, describing
title
Third Line: 6 syllables – Three words,
expressing action
Fourth Line: 8 syllables – Four words, expressing
a feeling
Fifth Line: 2 syllables – Another word for the
title
(From Learn Poetry)
Wikipedia’s first description is nothing more than a five-line stanza with a rhyme scheme of a-b-a-b-b.
So, there ya go…nothin’ to it!
A few of you have told me you’ve already written yours (once again, skunking ME!), so I’ll be curious to see if your selections mirror any of these methods.
You have until next week to write a poem (or two or three…), and I’ll have Mr. Linky posted just after the stroke of midnight on Tuesday the 18th thanks to TypePad’s pre-post feature.
Didn’t participate in last month’s PPL? No worries–anytime is the perfect time to join us!
Related Links:
Adelaide Crapsey on Wiki
Rochester Library
Cinquain, Wiki
I’m in! I may try to enlist my kids too;)
I like the first definition, sounds like more fun. I’m going with that one.
Oh, I just noticed something in your post, the definitions I found that were syllable based didn’t specify a word count. That’s almost a duplication of the first method.
Ha ha ha, I just followed the second link, and it doesn’t specify a word count either, just a syllable count 😉
When I went researching for a refresher last week, I got the format with syllable counts but no parts of speech…kinda like Ms. Crapsey’s. Hmmm…it will be cool to see what everyone comes up with! LOL
I don’t think I followed your rules. I just remember playing with these in school.
Here’s where mine is:
http://blogs.chron.com/mamadrama/archives/2007/12/cinquain.html
I’m not sure how to do the link in typepad comments.
I wrote one REALLY FAST yesterday when I misunderstood the date. And I’ll probably use it… because sometimes those quick off the cuff thoughts are the best. Even in a panic
(:
I will be writing one soon.
I will be writing one soon. The first time I tried to post I was told that I was a spammer. Seriously how many robots have you had posting on your blog?
Know what? I think I’ll participate this time (if it’s not too late). So I just have to post my poem sometime this week? Or next Monday with your lovely button?
Kelly, Oooo that would be 3x the fun!
Willowtree, where did you find an explanation with a specific word count? Send me the link!
Beth, I have no idea which one I’ll do yet…I don’t have to know til Tuesday ;).
Min, I’ll link your post to Mr. Linky when I add it on NEXT Tuesday. I tell ya what, I’m changing the way we do this in January…y’all are READY to go!! You don’t need no stinkin’ week to write nothin’ ;).
Pamela, I’m right with ya, sistah.
Junebug, thankfully not many. I look forward to reading whatever you come up with :).
Heather, YAAAAAEEEE YOU! Next week is when it’s “supposed” to be posted, the Mr. Linky doo-flatchy will be up on Tuesday :).
Ok, I’m going to think on this and maybe give it a go. I don’t want you counting on me in case I fail.
YOOOOOUUU should be an English teacher… I love your instructions. :~D
I don’t think we covered this genre in school, maybe because it was American? Or if we did, it was fleeting.
I’m still chuckling over this line: “Throw in a name like ‘Crapsey’ and she was destined for a hard-knock life.” You’re so smart Robin… behind all that wildness and spice. :~D
I have to admit, I need some sort of external angst going on to drive me to the depths of poetic expression. My life is just a bit too cheery right now. PTL! But I do love it, and these wonderul pieces by poor Miss Adelaide.
Shall think on this…
Hugs, e-Mom
I already have an idea for mine! This should be fun!
Oh boy. I am new, but you’ve got my creative juices flowing. I am ashamed to say I don’t even know what a Mr. Linky is! How far behind am I???
I will again participate. Who’d a thought a math teacher would write poetry? Cinquain is rather mathy though, isn’t it? Anyway, here is the link
http://oncedeadbutnowalive.blogspot.com/2007/12/poetry-participation-2.html
Lisa, don’t be a chicken!!!
E-mom, I’d LOVE to see YOU give this a whirl (and your words…ai yi yi! They ALWAYSALWAYS build me UPUPUP!). For the record, the lines you pointed out cracked me up, too. Nothin’ like laughin’ with myself ;).
Susan, WAHOOO! Can’t wait to see it!
Tracey, I’ll get with ya, k?
Inheritor, GREAT way of looking at it (whatever gets you to WRITE!)…I’ll be over soon to take a look :).
I have never written a cinquain… Hold me . I’m scared. 😉
I might have to give this a go, just for the challenge… now to choose which formula to use. Why’d you have to give us so many choices? You know we share the same “problem”. *snort* 😀
Mine are up! Darla wrote them – come and see!
http://farmfreshiowa.blogspot.com/2007/12/cinquain-or-two.html
Here are my attempts