BUTTERFLY CINQUAIN

The butterfly cinquain is a 9-line poem which takes the shape of a butterfly when the lines are centered.  The syllable count per line is 2-4-6-8-2-8-6-4-2.   Take care not to confuse this form with the butterfly (not a cinquain form).  They are two separate structures.

Here is an example of butterfly cinquain from the internet.  Note it has been given a title.

One in a Million

My love,
You are my all,
My heart, it beats your name,
All I can think about is you,
You are
My one in a million, you …
There is no one like you!
You complete me,
My 'One'.

I don't really like this example because line 6 is faulty. A contest judge would have to throw it out.  Contest judges are looking for correct STANDARD format -- not innovations in format. In contest poetry, if you want to be original, do it in your choice of subject matter or your approach, never your format. 

Here's another example, this one by C. Richard Miles.  Unfortunately, it also contains a faulty line, line 3. Frankly, I don't find the internet the best source for examples of poetry format.   This one was not titled. I'll so  some more digging to discover what is considered correct in the matter of  providing or not providing a title for butterfly cinquain. 

Fly by
Blue Butterflies
As you dimly remember
Distant days of drizzle-drenched spring
When you
Were half-drowned, ground-bound, round children,
Green-cast, grass-fast massed lines:
Caterpillars
On leaves.  

Here's another one.  This poet signs herself "Rainwalker" on the internet. Note the centering.  Note that in all the examples, each line opens with a capital letter.  I do like to see some effort made at consistency within any given format.  Otherwise the creative waters get pretty muddied up, don't you agree?

This one seems more "correct" than the others.  It was not given a title. 

Fragile
lace-winged beauty.
Inspired by brightest hues
rainbow bold on each side; mirrored.
Graceful.
A symbol of transformation.
Break from your chrysalis
and breathe clear air.
New life.

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