A Tetractys is an extremely short type of poem where each Tetractys stands on its own and has only five lines. It is pretty easy to write if you follow the format below. A poet matches the number of syllables to the appropriate line of the poem.
A single Tetractys consists of at least five lines of 1, 2, 3, 4, 10 syllables (total of 20). Tetractys can be written with more than one verse, but must follow suit with an inverted syllable count; that is, reversed and written 10, 4, 3, 2, 1.
- Double Tetractys:This form combines two Tetractys, resulting in a 40-syllable structure arranged in two triangular patterns. It's syllable count per line may be written as: 1, 2, 3, 4, 10 then 10, 4, 3, 2, 1
- Triple Tetractys: This expands the concept further by incorporating three Tetractys, creating a 60-syllable poem organized into three triangular segments with a syllable count of 1, 2, 3, 4, 10 then 10, 4, 3, 2, 1 then 1, 2, 3, 4, 10
Example
Snowflakes
White
snowflakes
crystal clear
sparkling loftily
daybreaks light shines forth the brilliance
As daybreaks light dusks the hillcrest ledge edge
sunshine melts around
clear glitter
snowflakes
white
Peggy Bertrand
Copyright 02-18-2002