Saturday, October 30, 2010

Poetry for Today - Cinqku

The American analogue to haiku, the Cinque is minimalist in nature with 17 syllables strictly arranged in five short lines of 2, 3, 4, 6,  and 2 syllables respectively. The last line may circle around to the first or may offer a contrast. They are written in haiku- style free diction and syntax with no metrical requirement; a turn can be used that may be similar to kireji in haiku or cinquain. Unlike haiku, they are not specifically nature or season-based and all subject matter is acceptable. Unless they are part of a series, they are left untitled and the first line becomes the reference point.

I offer you my cinque to brighten a cloudy day:

sunrise
golden shafts
glazing mountains
kissing flowers open
morning

Margaret V Doran

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