When Adelaide Crapsey first devised the cinquain, she wrote down no rules for the form. Over the years, others noticed that a majority of her fewer than thirty cinquains followed the pattern of 2/4/6/8/2 though several did not. From this observation somebody decided the 2/4/6/8/2 pattern should be a rule. (I suppose because people like things that are easily quantifiable) However, I believe, like Crapsey, that not all poetry works out each time to fit a rigidly set pattern. I have chosen to have my final lines in this poem read 7/3 instead of 8/2. It is a conscious choice, not an oversight in syllable counting. Below is just one of Crapsey's cinquains that break her own pattern - google her if you want to read all 28 of her cinquains to see others that break the pattern.
Fate Defied
As it
were tissue of silver
I'll wear, O fate, thy grey,
and go mistily radiant, clad
like the moon.

You need to login or register to write reviews. It's quick! We only ask four questions to new members.