In the Hood

Scrub jay
knows this 'hood well.
Flicker drills his tat-tat
rat-a-tat, mimicking rapid
gunfire

birdsoundcinquain

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Andrea Dietrich

August 25, 2026 at 11:23 PM

Great job here. Love your end line! 😊

Moon Harp

August 26, 2026 at 12:29 AM

The actually urban gunfire I've ever heard is more like a popping sound. But I thought rat-a-tat sounded more poetic. Thanks, Andrea, for appreciating my Cinquain. Moon Harp

Alison A Smith

August 25, 2026 at 5:33 AM

This is a brilliant take on the cinquain form! Your syllable count is absolutely spot-on (2-4-6-8-2), and the clever double meaning of "hood" perfectly anchors the setting. I love how the onomatopoeia of the flicker's "tat-tat / rat-a-tat" builds a rhythmic tension in the longer lines, culminating in that sharp, surprising final image of "gunfire." It is a wonderfully executed juxtaposition of backyard nature and an edgy urban landscape.

Moon Harp

August 26, 2026 at 12:27 AM

Thank you, Alison, for appreciating my use of the Cinquain form. I find it to be a maleable form, and this was especially fun to write. Moon Harp

In the Hood

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