The Cinquain as a Speculative Poem by Joshua Gage For the past three years, the Speculative poetry community has produced, under Deborah Kolodji's guidance, an anthology of poetry entitled Dwarf Stars. This yearly anthology, now also an award anthology from the Science Fiction Poetry Association and co-edited by Stephen M. Wilson, collects the best published poems of the previous year written with ten lines or less. Included in the second anthology, the 2006 Dwarf Stars, is this cinquain by Ann K. Schwader. Muertos Moon Sugar skull swung between voids…what beloved name etches itself across craters tonight? - Ann K. Schwader World Haiku Review, Summer 2005 Since this publication, the speculative world has seen more and more cinquains published. This article will examine the different genres of speculative cinquains, hopefully introducing non-speculative cinquain writers a glimpse into the speculative poetry world and new, exciting markets for cinquains. Science Fiction This is perhaps the most obvious and famous of all speculative genres. From Jules Verne to the X-files and everything in between, science fiction has been capturing the minds of audiences for over a century. As with all speculative genres, Science Fiction speculates alternate possibilities, specifically in the realms of science and technology. This could be anything from planet exploration, extra terrestrials, alternate histories, prophetic futures: No Gene Kelly on Mars no rain is expected on this waterless world and no one sings in the sonic shower - Deborah P Kolodji The Shantytown Anomaly #2, March 2006 On the Road with Apollo "Dig those gas giants, man- far out--but cold, god, cold Can't this heap go any faster? Where's Earth?" Like, chill It's about the journey--the feel of hot chariot wheels on cool, cosmic blacktop - Karen A. Romanko Amaze: The Cinquain Journal, Spring 2006 Even new applications of current technologies, such as time travel and robots, will fall under the heading of science fiction poetry: Testimony Given on the Firing of The Weapon Just rock - that's what I saw, and fired when they told me. One planet, many million lives, just rock. - Marcie Lynn Tentchoff, On Our Way to Battle: Poetry From the Trenches, Fall 2006 Science fiction poetry can even include non-fictional science elements used as metaphors for something else: Deep Impact I launch myself at you, eager to expose clues - you continue your journey past my world - Deborah P Kolodji Astropoetica, Winter 2006 Clearly, science fiction has a lot to offer the cinquain genre, and cinquains, in turn, have much to offer to science fiction poetry.   Fantasy If Science Fiction is the main genre of speculative literature, then fantasy is the close runner up. Literature historians can argue that this is the first speculative poetic genre, citing ancient epics, such as The Odyssey and Beowulf as proof. Also, the release of films such as The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and J.R.R. Tolkein's Lord of the Rings trilogy has renewed the popular interest in this genre, creating a wider market for fantasy poetry. Indeed, some of the first cinquains ever published were in this genre: THE SOURCE Thou hast Drawn laughter from A well of secret tears And thence so elvish it rings,-mocking And sweet: - Adelaide Crapsey WINTER The cold With steely clutch Grips all the land…alack, The little people in the hills Will die! - Adelaide Crapsey It is a more difficult genre to define than Science Fiction because it uses mythic and folkloric elements from different cultures, and thus crosses over often into mythic poetry, folklore poetry, etc. Some would argue that the language of the work defines it as fantasy, but this convention is constantly challenged by modern writers, to the point that it is almost mute. However, many modern cinquain poets are also working within this genre as well: "Dragons! No, not dragons," the pioneer spat out. "When we first landed, now those were dragons!" - gK Icarus He soared and touched the sun. And yes, it burned his wings. His fall, a meteorite's streak to earth, tragic and terrible. And yet, that lure of sky remains. We gaze above and dream of flight. - J. E. Stanley Amaze: The Cinquain Journal, Summer 2006 Road Tripping: Santa Fe This land of coyote & raven . . . trickster highway twisting through each shifting vein of sunset. - Ann K. Schwader Amaze: The Cinquain Journal, Summer 2007 what if I were to stand earless in Shangri-La, would your soft hands learn to sing me bird songs? - Michael L. Evans Modern English Tanka, Winter 2006 This genre of speculative poetry clearly has much to offer the cinquain writer, in terms of content.   Horror Horror can be seen as the third leg of speculative poetry alongside fantasy and science fiction. That being said, it would behoove poets new to speculative genres to not enter horror with preconceived notions in mind. The genre has advanced beyond vampires, werewolves, and other stereotypical Halloween accoutrements. While those tropes are still used, and still played with, horror has expanded into genres that could include things like thrillers and suspense. Like other speculative genres, horror is no stranger to cinquain writers, either: Final Words Embalmed, he speaks aloud at his own funeral. "Don't I look like myself?" he says, grinning. - Marge Simon Doorways Magazine, Aug. 2007 Indeed, horror isn't necessarily horrific, but at times merely darkly themed, with hints of the horrific beneath the surface. Dancer The girl knows the routine dances upon the altar bone choir singing dark hosannas off key. - G.O. Clark Wicked Hollow, May 2004 In fact, horror can been seen as the dark side of other speculative genres, as in "dark fantasy" or "dark science fiction": Xocoatl drinking ancient wisdom from blood-stained cacao pods- powerful sips of Paradise linger - Deborah P Kolodji Doorways Magazine, Aug. 2007 In face, some horror cinquains simply allude to other horrific novels, using them as a source of inspiration. Whispering Voices At night Cthullu waits Inviting Old Ones to Open dream-doors and resurrect The stars. - Christopher Danaher Doorways Magazine, Aug. 2007 In My World Grendel rises at dusk, stalks his prey by starlight as shadows of dragons eclipse the moon. - J.E. Stanley However, like the other speculative genres, horror clearly has much to offer the cinquain writer, in terms of content and inspiration. As with any poetic genre, the cinquain will seek out niches in which it cannot only survive, but thrive. Because of the strong crossover between speculative poets and cinquain poets, the speculative genres are clearly one breeding ground for very potent cinquains. It is hoped that this tradition continues, and that more cinquain poets find themselves published in speculative magazines, and perhaps even in future Dwarf Stars anthologies.

Return to the front page of this issue:   Amaze   Vol. 5, No. 4   Go to the Poets & Authors page for the poet's biographical sketch and email link. All poems are copyright © 2007 by their respective authors.