What is a Cinquain?

A cinquain poem is a verse of five lines that do not rhyme. The cinquain poem was created by Adelaide Crapsey.

What is the structure of a cinquain?

A cinquain consists of 5 unrhymed lines.

Each line has a set number of syllables see below:

Line 1 – 2 syllables
Line 2 – 4 Syllables
Line 3 – 6 Syllables
Line 4 – 8 syllables
Line 5 – 2 Syllables

An example of a cinquain poem

Why don't you try writing a cinquain poem and enter it into one of our poetry competitions.

For information on poetry types other than a cinquain visit our poetry glossary – poetry types.