Happy Poetry Friday! Today I share my first completed Tricube poem. Today is also the last day to enter for a chance to win Lisa Sukenic’s debut middle-grade novel in verse, Miles from Motown (Fitzroy Books). You'll find a link to the giveaway at the end of this post.
Last month, I happened to read Yvona Fast's Wonder of Words post about tricube poems. Since I've been focused on math-based poetry forms lately, I was immediately intrigued. Yvona credits poet and children’s author Matt Forrest Essenwine for introducing her to tricubes. Here's Matt's description of the form from his blog:
"The tricube is fairly simple in structure, as it is based on mathematics: there are 3 syllables per line, 3 lines per stanza, and 3 stanzas per poem. (multiply a number by itself three times = cubed!) Unlike math, however, a tricube is greater than the sum of its parts, as word economy is paramount, much like haiku, senryu, and tanka."
While the rules for this haiku-inspired form seem simple enough, actually writing one was more challenging than I expected. Inspired by observations on a recent walk, I wrote the following:
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| Photo credit: Elizabeth Prata on Visualhunt.com |
After sharing his first tricube in an earlier post, Matt said, "... although I like this little poem of mine, I’m still not sure it’s the best version of itself." I could say the same of mine. But I'd love to know what you all think of it.
And when you're done here, don't forget to read Esther's interview with Lisa Sukenic, and enter to win a copy of her new verse novel, Miles from Motown. Also, be sure to check out this week's Poetry Friday roundup by Elisabeth Norton at Unexpected Intersections.
Happy writing!
Carmela
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16 comments:
Thanks for this post, Carmela! I'd never heard of the tricube poetry form. I do like your little poem -- so captures the Midwest this time of year.
Yet another new challenge form for my critique group! Thanks for this, Carmela—and for the lovely poem!
I need to create a page in my notebook for all the forms I learn about on Poetry Friday. I saw this one on Matt's blog, but seeing it again here is a good reminder to try one.
Tricube poems are fun...but yes, deceptively simple, I think. I do like that your poem has sunflowers, hummingbirds and summer sun. Lovely. I like Margaret's idea of a special notebook for Poetry Friday!
I think you've covered this ending very well, Carmela, especially the "sunflowers/bow beneath/scorching sun". I am ready for cooler temps! Well done with the tricube!
Carmela, your post reminds me yet again about Tricube poems. I must revisit this form as it possesses a structure that is quite accessible. I enjoyed your poem and its capturing of elements present in your August.
I can almost feel the heat of a hot August afternoon as I read your poem. Our sunflowers have bowed heads too - I can't believe September is almost here! Wonderful job with this tricube form - I find it a fun form to play with too.
I still need to give the tricube form a go. The bowed heads of the sunflowers are nodding off around my neighborhood as well. :)
Carmela, I do like the tricube form. After Matt posted his, I tried it out. I should go back to writing some more but for your poem, I do like it and wonder if you would like to share it on my Nurturing Our Summer Souls Gallery collection that I am trying to piece the artistic expressions together. All I need is your consent and I will add it to the collection to be shared online at some point after the season ends.
Thanks for stopping by, Leanne.
Carol Grannick, do let me know if you try a tricube.
Margaret, I had given myself a to-do after reading the tricube post, or I would never have remembered to try it.
Glad you liked my poem, Linda Mitchell. Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks, Linda B. I'm ready for cooler temps, too. Glad to be having them today.
Glad you enjoyed the poem, Alan!
Thanks, Elisabeth. I'm late in replying and now September is here!
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