The etheree is a little-known poetry format, consisting of ten lines with graduated syllables. It was created about twenty years ago by an Arkansas poet named Etheree Taylor Armstrong.
The first line is a monosyllabic word; the second line has two syllables, and so on, until the tenth line with, ultimately, ten syllables. The most important elements of this format are the etheree structure, coherence (pulling ideas together to create a complete thought) and focusing on imagery. We will concentrate on these elements to form beautiful poems with this easy format.
For some, the restricting of syllables will cause confusion and perhaps a little grief, but I will begin with exercises that will smooth the way and give students more confidence in their word choices. Remember: it is not what you express, but how you express it!
There will be "real" experiments with the etheree in this class, such as the reversed, double or "scattered" (broken in stanzas or single lines, as in free verse) forms. Be prepared to become succinct in your expressions and artistic in your presentation.
Taught by thelordreigns.
Start the first assignment "Basic Etheree Structure - Assignment 1" →
