Lanturne

The Lanturne (spelled as: Lanturne or Lanterne) is a five-line Oriental form of poetry. It must follow the below rules:

• Must be written in five lines
• It must follow the below pattern:
  - First line: one syllable
  - Second line: two syllable
  - Third line: three syllable
  - Fourth line: four syllable
  - Fifth line: one syllable

When centered, the poem usually takes the shape of a Japanese lantern. This type of poem generally does not have a title and each line can usually stand on its own. Each line in a Lanturne should make sense when read alone but goes together well with the rest of the lines, creating a bigger picture. The first line of a Lanturne is usually a noun, a feeling or abstract idea. Each proceeding line should either contrast or describe the first line. The final line should be a synonym, or, reinterpretation of the first line. It can even be an antonym,

If a title is used, it often serves as an integral part of the poem, as a 'sixth line'.

Example:

   leaves

      flutter

 winds abound

 butterflies float  

         Fall

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