What is a Tetractys?
Tetractys is a form of poetry that consists of at least 5 lines of 1, 2, 3, 4, 10 syllables for a total of 20 syllables. You can write Tetractys with more than one stanza but the next one must be inverted to the first one and if you go for a third stanza then the third must be inverted to the second and you can do as many stanzas as you wish...just keep inverting them. Tetractys can also be reversed and written 10, 4, 3, 2, 1.
There is a catch for the single syllable line…It MUST consist of a meaningful word. The single syllable line cannot be words such as “a”, “the”, “or” etc.
Structure of the poem…
Single Tetractys consist of 5 lines with the following syllable count…1, 2, 3, 4, 10.
First line – 1 syllable
Second line – 2 syllables
Third line – 3 syllables
Fourth line – 4 syllables
Fifth line – 10 syllables
Double Tetractys consist of 10 lines with the following syllable count…1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 10, 4, 3, 2, 1
Triple Tetractys consist of 15 lines with the following syllable count…1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 10, 4, 3, 2, 1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 10.
And you can keep going if you want.
Note…
When the reader reads this form of poetry they should be able to come away from it with your complete thought. The thought can be a profound thought or something funny or whatever just so long as it is a complete thought.
A little history…
This poetry form is credited to Euclid a classical mathematician (and poet) of Alexandria who lived between 325-265BC.
Now my poem...(It you wish to look at it centered then copy and past it to word and center it)
Armageddon
I
Stand here
Waiting for
Armageddon
The day the world will face oblivion
Will this be the end of humanity
It is to come
To us all
It draws
Near
(Edit #1 added type of poem to the subject line)
(Edit #2 corrected spelling thank you anima)
(Edit #3 tried to get the poem centered but umm did not work)
(Edit #4 tried a new method of centering without dots but did not work)
Last edited by Eiregirl on Wed Jan 23, 2008 6:31 am; edited 4 times in total
Tue Feb 21, 2006 2:26 am
animaanna
Joined: 22 Aug 2005
Posts: 323
Location: Portland, OR
Helllloooo Evee
Sorry I have been away so long. I like what you are doing here. I dont think this form is something I'd enjoy using much, but you wrote it very well.
I like the topic.
Thanks chica -
Much love,
the Goddess
PS - think you meant to say "stand" . _________________ "Poetry is the silent voice that is heard everywhere inside of us..."
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum