Imaginary Garden With Real Toads gave us a form to work on, the Cinquain, sort of like haiku, but with a different syllabic structure (five lines; 2 – 4 – 6 – 8 – 2). Its inventor was the American poet Adelaide Crapsey. I wrote three: one funny, one environmental, and one about our praise service at church. Enjoy. If I didn’t make the deadline (often the case!), it will be shared on Real Toads’ Open Link Monday! Process notes below.
CINQUAINS FOR “REAL TOADS”
What’s In A Name?
Only
myself tonight
wondering how someone
who made this lovely form was named
Crapsey
Skeeter Davis Said It First*
Human
obsolescence
has been hastened by our
wanton disrespect for this gift,
our Earth.
Sing Hallelujah!
My church
Prayers are souldeep
Singing is loudrowdy
When the band starts in to jam, we
“pray twice”**
© 2013 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
NOTES: Cinquains ideally have a nature theme, similar to haiku; however, Americans generally disregard this, as is our nature. There are other suggested rules, and I didn’t bother with those either. See, I’m more of a “free-verse” kind of woman, and after years of songwriting, being constrained to any form makes me all twitchy. But for Real Toads, I did my best! Also on the right scrolling column of my poetic haven, Poets United.
* Skeeter Davis’ biggest hit was, “(Don’t They Know) It’s the End of the World?”
** Old saying: When you sing in church, you pray twice. Once with words and again with the joyful noise of rhythm and voices!
Feb 04, 2013 @ 22:11:02
ha. i really need to visit your church sometime…just saying…the first is funny. and made me smile…love the second one as it carries the message i come to expect from you….nicely done ma’am…
Feb 04, 2013 @ 22:34:39
Brian, thanks. And yeah, come to Madison. Our service rocks! Just like you, sir. How do you manage all your comments? You are Superman! Peace, Amy
Feb 04, 2013 @ 22:37:42
Love it…a jammin’ church sounds great! All of the cinquain were great!
Feb 04, 2013 @ 22:51:22
I especially like “sing hallelujah,” but all are good use of the form.
Feb 05, 2013 @ 05:06:31
The first one made me laugh, which I needed this morning, so I declare it my favourite for today. Lovely work, Amy.
Feb 05, 2013 @ 05:32:57
All three good, but the Skeeter one is a strong message for all of us.
Feb 05, 2013 @ 06:42:04
Each is powerful, Amy. I just love your words.
Feb 05, 2013 @ 07:17:07
I love ‘loudrowdy’ – such an excellent descriptive word!
Feb 05, 2013 @ 11:59:13
I love your church cinquain, probably because I want to be there, hearing, feeling, loving it all!
http://www.kimnelsonwrites.com/2013/01/31/shadow-eater/
Feb 05, 2013 @ 12:31:52
Very charming. k.
Feb 05, 2013 @ 14:11:07
Amy, I’m with you–free the verse! Also I love that saying that singing is praying twice–Amen! Wonderful set of poems
Feb 05, 2013 @ 14:28:35
‘don’t they know it’s the end of the world’ ….. I love that song! Your cinquain verses are beautifully composed … praying twice? ~ cool.
Feb 05, 2013 @ 14:31:48
very nice! *applause* (of the souldeep, loudrowdy variety)
Feb 05, 2013 @ 19:28:44
like the singing one, but I was thinking the 1st one myself
Feb 05, 2013 @ 20:36:35
I don’t believe I had heard of this one but I am all for free verse as you well know. I am leaving you a link to my recent post. Will always love what you do!
http://reneejustturtleflight.com/2013/02/06/
Feb 05, 2013 @ 23:54:49
Ditto to what Roger Green said
So glad to see you and your awesome poems are still around after my WordPress hiatus!
Feb 06, 2013 @ 21:31:31
wonderful encounter!
Feb 07, 2013 @ 11:33:49
nice..your church sounds like a cool place..never heard that expression about praying twice when you sing..but so true..i like
Feb 07, 2013 @ 18:57:37
Crapsey would be proud!
The restriction really does make you work to find the right words and phrases.
Feb 20, 2013 @ 08:01:31
I like them all but “What’s In A Name?” is my favourite <3 Made me smileee