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Colin W Campbell

 

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PANTOUM

The pantoum came to Europe via France from what is now present day Malaysia. Typically, each line is given twice within carefully defined constraints. Rhyme is optional but can be quite effective.

 

read an example of a pantoum

 

download a pantoum worksheet  for writing a three-stanza pantoum rhymed ABAB

 

 

 

CINQUAIN

A cinquain is a short poem of five lines with:

 

2 syllables in line one

4 syllables in line two

6 syllables in line three

8 syllables in line four

2 syllables in line five

 

And perhaps a surprise in the last line.

 

read an example of a qinquain

 

 

 

QUATRAIN

A quatrain is a short poem of four lines, rhymed or un-rhymed. It can be composed of two rhyming couplets and rhymed AABB. If rhymed ABAB, it may be called an alternating quatrain.

 

read an example of an unrhymed quatrain

 

 

 

SENRYU

Senryu written in English are short poems of three lines with:

 

5 syllables in line one
7 syllables in line two
5 syllables in line three

 

Definitions vary and I do tend to take a fairly relaxed view of what constitutes a haiku or a senryu but mostly I follow the model that a senryu offers a commentary on some aspect of human nature. Senryu are usually presented free from capitals and punctuation.  Senryu are supposed to be untitled, but this doesn't stop me not least for convenience in indexing.

 

read an example of a senryu

 

 

 

HAIKU

Haiku written in English are short poems of three lines with:

 

5 syllables in line one
7 syllables in line two
5 syllables in line three

 

read an example of a haiku

 

Mostly, I follow the model that a haiku has a natural theme and ideally should contain a contrast together with a (perhaps subtle) reference to one of the four seasons eg autumn leaves etc. Haiku are usually presented free from capitals and punctuation. Haiku are supposed to be untitled, but this doesn't stop me not least for convenience in indexing.

 

 

Haiku or a Senryu?

 

Here's a quirky little piece I threw together in 5-7-5 format, to illustrate the difference between a haiku and a senryu.

 

so how do we tell

haiku or a senryu

see it in the fish

 

fish eat each other

if swimming in a haiku

all about nature

 

sun warms summer sea

cold blooded fish are alive

eating each other

 

but we eat the fish

swimming in a senryu

about our nature

 

rain falls on fish pond

little fish need not worry

soon be warm and dry

 

 

These are just brief introductions to some of the forms on this site. There's lots about poetry forms out there on the Internet. I recommend the detailed guidance on the Sol Magazine Website at http://sol-magazine-projects.org/sol/poetryforms.htm

 

 

 

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poetry forms