Poetry (PDF)

Use the following poetry forms and examples to help you write your own river poem.

Rules for Cinquain poetry:

• Line 1: Title in 2 syllables (or words)
• Line 2: Description of the title in 4 syllables (or words)
• Line 3: Description of action in 6 syllables (or words)
• Line 4: Description of a feeling in 8 syllables (or words)
• Line 5: Another word for the title in 2 syllables (or words)

Example:

1. River
2. Water, Wildlife
3. Flowing, Rippling, Flooding
4. With graceful strength it passes by
5. Living

Rules for Diamonte (diamond shaped) poetry:

• Line 1: Noun
• Line 2: Adjective, Adjective
• Line 3: Participle, Participle, Participle
• Line 4: Noun, Noun, Noun, Noun
• Line 5: Participle, Participle, Participle
• Line 6: Adjective, Adjective
• Line 7: Noun

Example:

1. Ecosystem
2. Large, Complex
3. Producing, Consuming, Decomposing
4. Vegetation, Wildlife, Habitat, Niche
5. Competing, Preying, Interacting
6. Connected, Universal
7. Community

Rules for Haiku poetry:

• Line 1: 5 syllables
• Line 2: 7 syllables
• Line 3: 5 syllables

Example:

1. The snake eats the mouse
2. Energy, nutrient flow
3. Will sustain wildlife

Rules for Free Verse poetry:

• There are no rules of form or rhyme in free verse poetry.

Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, 1997.