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Explore the Craft of Writing Light Verse The Didactic Cinquain or Recipe Poem is often taught to American school children used as an aid in exploring the poetic mind, or just having fun with words. It uses parts of speech for the set form and in this regard is similar to the Diamante or Diamond Poem. This verse form is not to be confused with Rhyming Recipe or Recipe Poem which sets a culinary recipe to rhyme. The elements of the Didactic Cinquain or Recipe Poem are: a cinquain with lines made up of L1 1 noun, L2 2 adjectives, L3 3 verbs, L4 1 phrase or sentence, L5 1 noun. unmetered, the rhythm of every day speech. unrhymed. meant to instruct. --------Movies, ------- old, new enlighten, entertain, touch ----- Two please, ------- popcorn? ----- ----jvg 4-5-05 The Patina is an invented form very similar to the didactic cinquain, created by Pat Nelson at Writing.com. Rather than meter and rhyme the focus is on words, adjectives and nouns. The elements of the Patina are: stanzaic, written in any number of tercets. measured in words rather than metric feet or syllables. L1 two words an adjective and a noun. L2 two adjectives and a noun expanding the image in L1. These 3 words should be alliterated, begin with same letter. L3 four words that explain the meaning of the image or theme. unrhymed. titled. Balm Gentle waves Cradling, calming caress Comfort for my affliction Fervid sun Penetrating, purifying poultice Balm for my aching Foamy water Splashing, scintillating serenade Therapy to my soul Salty air Infusing, invigorating impetus Elixir for my spirit Sandy beach Spongy, squishy silt Remedy for my cares ~~ Pat Nelson December 29, 2012 Five O'clock ticking clock difficult, draining day time to go home ~~jvg