Cinquain (sin-cane)

An unrhymed form of poetry invented by Adelaid Crapsey whose topics were delicate and sad!  The original cinquain had a set number of five lines and a syllabic pattern of two, four, six, eight, two on respective lines.  As this form developed and was used in schools, there are transformations in topics and patterns brought about by students themselves.

Line 1:  Topic (2 syllables)

Line 2:  4 syllables describing topic

Line 3:  6 syllables expressing action

Line 4:  8 syllables expressing feeling

Line 5:  2 syllables—a synonym for the topic

Example:

Creature

From outer space

What ship carried you here?

Are you in search of peace or war?

Stranger