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Rated: E · Bulletin · How-To/Advice · #866936
Learn the tetractys poetry form!
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Writers' Circle Newsletter

Issue #135: July 12th, 2004



(To read back issues of the Writers’ Circle Newsletter, see "WC Newsletter Back IssuesOpen in new Window..)



TETRACTYS: The number of the universe or a new poetry form?



Well, it’s a little of both! In fact, the tetractys is found in religion, numerology, the occult, music and more.

By him (Pythagoras) who revealed the Tetractys, Fountain of Eternal Nature, I speak the truth. –Pythagorean Oath.


SAY WHAT?


Teh track tiss (rhymes with practice)


BRIEF HISTORY - All is number


In 1999, a retired London lecturer and poet, Ray Stebbing, invented the form after searching through the Oxford English Dictionary. He said that Euclid - 300 BC - named the number series (1, 2, 3, 4) a tetractys, but upon further research I found that Pythagoras – 575 BC – 495 BC - (and perhaps even earlier in Babylonia) felt numbers explained the ways of the universe. For the Pythagoreans, the number ten represented the universe and was named, tetractys.

.

.          .

.          .          .

.          .          .          .


A Tetractys




MUST HAVES


*Five lines (or multiples of five lines) with a syllabic count of:

1
2
3
4
10

Subsequent stanzas invert the count before it. (Example of a double: 1, 2, 3, 4, 10. 10, 4, 3, 2, 1. Example of a triple: 1, 2, 3, 4, 10. 10, 4, 3, 2, 1. 1, 2, 3, 4, 10, etc.)

*Using a word that has an important effect to the overall piece in the single syllable line(s).

*Line breaks that don’t break the flow of the poem.


COULD HAVES or What's The Poet's Choice In All This?!


Everything else! Rhyme, alliterate, create a metaphor or choose none of the above.

Think haiku/senryu when you try this form. Say something significant in a small amount of words. Remember, there are only twenty syllables if you do a single tetractys.


Final thoughts: Based on the source of this form (Pythagorean), I suggest we take this even further.

The number one represented: reason or unity.

Number two symbolized: opinion or diversity.

The number three stood for: harmony.

Number four symbolized: justice and retribution.

The number ten represented: the universe.

Lets take the Tetractys to the next level:
I suggest taking reason, unity, harmony, justice or retribution as theme’s for your poem and using line ten to sum up or showing how the rest fits in or affects the universe.

MY EXAMPLE:

 Smile – A Tetractys Open in new Window. [E]
My first stab at the Tetractys form.
by Red Writing Hood <3 Author Icon



Red Writing Hood <3 Author Icon


Next week’s newsletter will be brought to you by the letter J, several people, born under the sign of Leo, cheering and the wonderfully witty Nikola~Thankful Library Lady Author Icon.



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Featured Poetry From Members:



 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 The Pretty Pebble Open in new Window. [E]
Poetry for children
by Vivian Author Icon

A place for just about everything Open in new Window. [E]
Written for Final Round 1 of Feb. 2004 SLAM. Twisted proverbs. (prose poem)
by ElaineElaine Author Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor



** Image ID #645128 Unavailable **


Featured Tetractyses From Non-Members:



"Invalid EntryOpen in new Window.
"Invalid EntryOpen in new Window.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 Thirsty Leaves Open in new Window. [E]
Poetry Week... Write a tetractys poetry form of unfolding leaves.
by Cubby Author Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


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Writing Prompt:



Try the tetractys or, if you've tried one already, try my version mentioned above.

Please feel free to submit your results to this prompt here: "Invalid ItemOpen in new Window.


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Featured Quote



"Poetry is a mirror which makes beautiful that which is distorted." -Source Unknown - submitted by Leona

SOURCE: "Invalid ItemOpen in new Window.


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Recommended Reading, Groups and Forums:



 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


A Poet's Tool Box Open in new Window. [E]
Tools for the trade.
by Red Writing Hood <3 Author Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor



AND check this out!


"Invalid Post"  Open in new Window.


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You are invited to submit suggestions to the Writers' Circle editors. To submit an item for consideration in the WC newsletter:


 WC Newsletter Feedback and Submissions Open in new Window. [E]
WC newsletter submission, a cheer or jeer, or just want to join the group? Find it here!
by Red Writing Hood <3 Author Icon



All comments about this and any WC newsletter are welcome!

Tell your friends about our newsletter! They can sign up through the link above. Feel free to forward this newsletter, in it's entirety, to your friends.



Issue #135
7/12/2004
Edited by: Red Writing Hood <3 Author Icon

© Copyright 2004 Red Writing Hood <3 (redridinghoo at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates have been granted non-exclusive rights to display this work.
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