Poetic Form- the Trilinea

Jack Huber
Research on the Trilinea form has left me scratching my head. I have found a few websites where poets have posted some verses in that genre, but no sites that describe them or their history. It is not a classical form, from what I can gather, so it was invented by a contemporary writer, but whom that was is a mystery to be unraveled.

I do know the format, however, and it is short and sweet. Similar to haiku, the trilinea is three unrhymed lines, leading me to believe that haiku was its basis. Its syllable count is slightly different at 4-8-4, for a total of sixteen. One large caveat: the word "rose" must be placed within the poem.

Other than that, I can find no other requirements, so theme and title are at the poet's discretion; though including "rose" may dictate the subject somewhat. I have seen the word used as a color, a flower, an action and even a name, as well as the plural form, so evidently one can be creative with this rule.

Here's my examples:

Exuberance

Free from scissors
and indoor vase, wild roses bare
exuberance!

Optimism

My rose-colored
mind prevents me from seeing you
as bad for me.

Published by Jack Huber

Jack's background includes several years of business development and over 25 years in the computer industry. He is currently a Systems Analyst at Wichita's Mid-Continent Airport. Jack is a published poet...  View profile

1 Comments

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  • Teresa Mahieu2/18/2011

    I like this form. It would be a challenge to try to write as many as possible in one sitting. i loved your takes on the style.

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