Poetry FormsThere are no limits to the forms of

poetry. Here are some that you might like to try.

HAIKU

CINQUAIN

CLARIHEW

LIMERICK

DIAMONTE

RHYME SCHEMES

EXIT

HAIKU

There are many rules about haiku writing. It is a Japanese form, and more involved than we tend to think. But, for

beginners, this rule will be enough:

A Haiku is a poem composed of three lines of 5, 7 and 5 syllables.

I am first with fiveThen seven in the middle --

Five again to end.

Green and speckled legs,Hop on logs and lily pads

Splash in cool water.

He is somewhat large

Glasses, ties, and checkered shirts

He is not quiet

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The Cinquain

A Cinquain has five lines:

Line 1 = 2 syllables, Line 2 = 4 syllables Line 3 = 6 syllables, Line 4 = 8 syllables

Line 5 = 2 syllables

A Cinquain doesn't rhyme.

The poem should build to a climax and have strong words on the end line.

Apple

Red, delicious

Healthy and natural

Crispy, cold, and really crunchy

Yummy!

My dress:

It’s new and now.

I’m looking fabulous,

Just like a magazine model!

Knock Out!

HomelessCold, painful, hard.

Life is always struggle.A place without mercy or hope.

Unkind

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Clerihews have just a few simple rules:

Four lines. Lines 1 & 2 rhyme with each otherand Lines 3 & 4 rhyme with each other:

AABB

The first line names a person (usually a famous person), and the rest of the lines are about that person.

A clerihew should be funny.

You don't have to count syllables or words, and rhythm is not a problem.

The Clarihew

E. C. BentleyMused while he ought to have studied intently;It was this museThat inspired clerihews.

Barak H. ObamaMade proud his mamaShe has nothing to repentHer boy’s the president

Paul Revere!Light one or two lamps for he whom we cheer.Through the April night he carried the word,And around the world---a shot was heard.

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A limerick is a verse of five lines.

The first, second, and fifth lines rhyme with each other, and generally have about nine

syllables.

The shorter third and fourth lines rhyme with each other, and generally have about six

syllables.

Limericks should be humorous.

The Limerick

How to Write a Limerick

A limerick ought to be funnyLike the sun in the sky should be sunny.It needn't be X-rated,Just cleverly stated,Or even a little bit punny.

May the Force Be with You

There once was a class of fifth gradersThat was meaner than thirty Darth Vaders.But though his voice got real hoarse,Mr. O had the force,And the space goons said, "We'll check ya

later!"

The Wearin’ o’ the Green

On Saint Patrick’s Day we wear green

Or we’d be afraid to be seen.If you don’t want to flinchBecause of a pinch,You have to dress up like a string

bean!

!

Romeo and Juliet

There once were two star-crossed loversWho disobeyed their fathers and mothers.They wanted to wed,But ended up dead;Would have been better if they had been brothers.

---Room 17 (whole group)

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The Diamante

NounAdjective-Adjective

Verb - Verb - VerbNoun - Noun/Noun - Noun

Verb - Verb - VerbAdjective-Adjective

Noun

The diamante is a shape poem in a rhombic (diamond) form consisting of

seven lines, each line made up of one of the Parts of Speech, as in the

pattern below:

The Diamante generally presents opposites. If the first word (line 1) is “Above” the final word (line 7) would probably be “Under.” If the first word is “love,” then the last word would probably be “hate.”

MountainHigh, rocky

Flying, looking, killingEagle, power, fear, rabbitLiving, moving, singing

Deep, beautifulValley

Sun

Hot, bright

Burning, warming, illuminating

Nuclear fission, celestial satellite

Glowing, reflecting, freezing

Lifeless, empty

Moon

WinterFrosty, Bright

Skiing, Snow Boarding, SleddingIcicles, Snowflakes, Vacation, FamilySwimming, Sun Tanning, Sweltering

Hot, SunnySummer

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Rhyme Schemes

Poets are purposeful in the design of their poems. Rhyme is not as dominant in poetry as it once was, but an appreciation of the subtlety of the rhyming art is essential to the study of poetry.

It is harder than it looks.

Couplets

Couplets are just simple rhymes, two lines of generally equal length that

rhyme (AA).

There was an old lady who lived in a shoeHad so many children, didn’t know what to do.

But the poet can string the couplets together (AABBCC):

Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mindAnd therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.Nor hath Love's mind of any judgment taste;Wings, and no eyes, figure unheedy haste:And therefore is Love said to be a child,Because in choice he is so oft beguiled.

---Shakespeare

TripletsTriplets are three line stanzas.

The poet can rhyme the three lines.There can be multiple stanzas in a poem.

ABCor

AAAor

AAA BBB CCC …

Beautiful is the light to one no longer blind.Marvelous is the light as mast'ry sparks our mind.

Golden is mercy's Light when God's good grace we find.

The Griot

The village children gather ‘roundand make a circle on the ground

listening to his every sound

The hunt, the chase, the catch, the killthe battles on a distant hill

night time terrors, a ghostly chill

The trickster and the lion kingthe egrets rising on the wing

with your heart you hear one sing 

The Quatrain

The word “quatrain” simply means a four line stanza.

There are many possible rhyme schemes.

ABCB

Roses are redViolets are blueSugar is sweetAnd so are you

ABAB

Roses are redViolets are blueYou never saidBut I always knew

AAAB

It sticks in my headThat it has been saidThat roses are redWhile violets are blue

ABBA

Everyone knows that roses are redAnd that violets are said to be blueBoth of those points I admit to be trueI never have otherwise said

Whose woods these are I think I knowHis house is in the village thoughHe will not see me stopping hereTo watch his woods fill up with snow

---Robert Frost

AABA

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