Cinquain

View from the Lake Ouachita Vista on Hickory Nut Mountain in Mount Ida, Arkansas

Cinquain poems (pronounced sin-cane) are often used to refer to any five-line stanza. It was created by American poet, Adelaide Crapsey, while translating Japanese poetry during the early twentieth century. Although she died at the early age of 36 years old, she wrote many Cinquains that were published posthumously. The Cinquain is great for beginning poets because it is short and there are no rhyming patterns, only a fitted 2-4-6-8-2 syllabic pattern. 

Things to keep in mind when writing a Cinquain poem:

1. Consider the subject matter that you wish to address in your poem.
2. Keep in mind that the Cinquain is a fairly short form. You will have to address your subject in a very limited amount of space.
3. The poem should build to a climax and end strongly.
4. Use more nouns than adjectives.
5. Do not write a complete sentence for each line. Let the lines flow over and continue with more than one line.
6. Revise as needed.

Example:

“November Night”

Listen...

With faint dry sound,

Like steps of passing ghosts,

The leaves, frost-crisp'd, break from the trees

And fall.

by Adelaide Crapsey

Writing Your Own Cinquain Poem

Steps:

• Line one is a one-word title.
• Line two is two words describing the title.
• Line three is three words expressing action related to the title.
• Line four is four words conveying an emotion about the title.
• Line five is a synonym for the title.

Are you ready to try your own Cinquain? Here's a free worksheet.

Example:

Summer...

Happy, warm,

Playing, and swimming.

Loving the sunny freedom-

Vacation.

by Regina Horne Beard