* Cinquain: This is a traditional five-line poem with a specific syllable count: 2, 4, 6, 8, 2.
* Tanka: A Japanese form, it has 5 lines with a syllable count of 5, 7, 5, 7, 7. It often focuses on nature or a single moment.
* Free Verse: No set rules. Five lines can be any length, any rhythm, any rhyme scheme.
* Haiku: While technically three lines, a five-line haiku variation exists, typically adding a line at the end for a twist or reflection.
Here's a five-line example of each:
Cinquain:
> Rain falls softly
> Gentle drops on window pane
> World hushed and dreaming
> A moment of peace, a pause
> Rain.
Tanka:
> Wind whispers through leaves
> Sunbeams dance on golden wheat
> Harvest time is near
> A gentle breeze carries scent
> Of ripe, sweet, golden grain.
Free Verse:
> The city sleeps, a concrete jungle
> Luminous windows, like distant stars
> A lone taxi hums through the night
> Dreams rise and fall, like smoke in the wind
> A quiet symphony of the unseen.
Haiku variation:
> Wind chimes sing softly
> A summer breeze, cool and light
> But wait... there's a chill
> Autumn leaves begin to fall
> Winter's coming soon.
Ultimately, five-line poetry is a canvas for your creativity! You can experiment with form, rhyme, and content to create your own unique piece.