In this post I am turning my attention back to the Trinet, a seven-line poetry form based purely on its word count. Trinets are terrific!
Here are the guidelines for writing a Trinet Poem:
7 lines
Lines three and four have 6 words in each line
All the other lines have 2 words per line
The Trinet has no restrictions for rhyme, subject matter, or syllables. The trinet is pretty straight forward as a poetry form.
Here are two examples of Trinet poems-
Cake On A Plate
Shall we?
Should we
Have another slice of orange cake?
It would be shameful to waste
We would
Enjoy it
I'm sure.
Alan j Wright
Fly By Night
The fly
spins constantly
in those buzzing, death throe, circles
A break dance of mortal magnitude
Summertime pest
Never welcomed
Not mourned.
Alan j Wright
It is Poetry Friday and our host this week is Irene Latham. Irene's post is all about community Poetry Project and includes the composing of a progressive poem. Check it out at Irene's blog.
Alan, I've never heard of a trinet! I love thinking about those short vs long lines and how we might use them to express urgency or not in our poems. Thank you for these examples. will give it a try!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, Irene. Those short/long line responses add some spice to the mix, I agree. Have a triffic time with Trinets!
DeleteThank you for introducing me to a new form, Alan. I love the rhythm created by the short and long lines. Your description the fly is spot on.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rose. The fly poem was a 'buzz' to write...
DeleteWhat fun to see this new form, Alan. It gives you just enough time to create one poetic moment for us readers to enjoy. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda. I think you are spot on about the length of these poems. Just right!
DeleteAlan, I'm so glad you revisited this sparse form here. I remember your last post with a trinet about how pigs can't look up at the sky. I said I was going to try this form, like I said I was going to try the (tiny) dansa form too. I haven't yet, but I'm taking notes this time. Your Cake on a Plate poem is my favorite today. Yes, we should!
ReplyDeleteDenise, your recall is most impressive. Taking notes helps. It makes the likelihood of follow up action more likely. Good luck. Enjoy the cake...
DeleteThis form is new to me, and I love it! I like how succinct it is. The poems you created are fascinating and creative examples. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedback Tracey. It was fun to share these.
DeleteA new form to me, too--and I couldn't agree with the sentiment in your first poem more! Hooray for more cake.
ReplyDeleteOh Buffy, the cake is irresistible!
DeleteHi Alan! Thanks for introducing us to this form! I love it! I think students would love it! Hope you are well - I've been posting regarding the anthology release - it will hopefully be in the next week! I'll have to give this form a try when things quiet down a bit for me.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, Carol. I too think students would love this form. I have been eagerly anticipating the anthology release and have noted a few little glitches you have been patiently grappling with . Looking forward to this moment of literary release!
DeleteI like this new to me poem form Alan, very punchy, and two clever poems of yours, thanks for all!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Michelle. Glad you like the Trinet form.
DeleteTerrific, indeed! I do not know this form--but am glad you introduced it. I will now write trinets. How fun. That line, "break dance of mortal magnitude" its right when my cats love to pounce. Poor flies. They get no respect. But, the do get your poem. And, that's as good, I think.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to trinet territory, Linda. In summer brushing away flies is often referred as the Australian salute...
DeleteThanks for sharing this form, Alan. I missed it the first time, so I'm glad you revisited today. I really enjoyed both of your poems, but especially "Fly By Night"--you used the differing line lengths to such good effect there! I'm looking forward to trying a trinet.
ReplyDeleteTrinet time for you Molly! The appeal of this form is certainly connected to the variable line length.
DeleteThanks for sharing a "new to me" form! I love the rhythm of the short and long lines. The line "A break dance of mortal magnitude" is perfection.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedback, Tricia. I suspect young, inexperienced poets will embrace this form with gusto. i look forward to introducing it to them as a poetic possibility.
Delete“A break dance of moral magnitude”—great line! Thanks for sharing this form! —Marcie Flinchum Atkins
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked that line, Marcie. It took a while to settle into the poem, but I'm glad it decided to stick around.
DeleteThis is Janice. I love this form but think you are a little hard on the poor fly. Actually I don't think you are but the break dance image grabbed me and seems so right. I would definitely enjoy the orange cake!
ReplyDeleteJanice, I'm so pleased by your response. I certainly don't want flies on my orange cake!
DeleteYes to orange cake and yes to trinets!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tabatha. I must wholeheartedly agree with your sentiment.
DeleteI have yet to try a tri-cube, and now a trinet to try as well!
ReplyDeleteI shall have to find another TRI form of poetry to create a trifecta, Mary Lee. May you try for a tri...
DeleteI'm already having fun with the form! Thank you, Alan! P.S. You "captured" the fly!
ReplyDeleteGo Patricia! You are 'flying.'
DeleteAlan, I never hear of a trinet poem before. I am always surprised by the forms you share with us. The cake poem is a yummy one.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carol. I very much enjoy sharing new poetry forms with the world. It helps extend poetry's terrain.
DeleteI like the way you've worked with the line breaks, so that the lengths of the lines feel purposeful--not just like a poems that was randomly cut into lines meeting certain word counts. "Never welcomed. / Not mourned." Ha! So true.
ReplyDeleteThe structure of this trinet form supports the poet to be creative with the various line lengths. It would be a shame to waste that opportunity, Laura. Thanks for your response.
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