Diamante poem

Description

A diamante poem is a poem that makes the shape of a diamond. The poem can be used in two ways, either comparing and contrasting two different subjects, or naming synonyms at the beginning of the poem and then antonyms for the second half for a subject.

In the poems, the subject is named in one word in the first line. The second line consists of two adjectives describing the subject, and the third line contains three verbs ending in the suffix ing which are related to the subject. A fourth line then has four nouns relating to the subject. The fifth returns to three verbs, the sixth two adjectives, and the final line a synonym of the subject.

If written to contrast two subjects, the fourth line consists of two nouns about the first subject, followed by two nouns about the second. The fifth, sixth and seventh lines then refer to the second subject. The fourth line may also be two short phrases about the two subjects.

Example

An example of a diamante poem contrasting two subjects – trees and rivers:

tree

tall, green

growing, reaching, shading

leaves, branches, water, pebbles

flowing, splashing, curving

deep, blue

river}}

References

References

1. Tebo, Cindy. "Kalliope Poetry Form Exercise: Diamante". Kalliope Poetics.
2. (1969). "A New Poetry Form: The Diamante". Education Resources Information Center.
3. "Diamante Poems | Read Write Think".