contributed by Cindy Tebo

Diamante (dee-ah-MAHN-tay) is similar to cinquain. It is also referred to as diamond-shaped poetry. The form was developed by Iris M Tiedt. (see also A NEW POETRY FORM: THE DIAMANTE, May 1969 pp. 588-589.)

Diamante Pattern One

1. one word: subject, a noun opposite of the word in the last line.
2. two words: adjectives describing the subject in the first line.
3. three words: gerunds (verbs + ing) about subject in line 1.
4. four words: 2 nouns about subject in the first line 2 nouns about subject in last line.
5. three words: three gerunds about the subject in last line (7)
6. two words: adjectives describing subject in last line
7. one-word subject: noun opposite of the word in first line.

Example of Diamante Pattern One:

                   swamp
               green,  damp
        growing, hanging, lurking
   moss,  gators,  vultures,  snakes
          hunting, hiding, dying
                arid, brown
                   desert

                                              by Cindy Tebo

 

Diamante Pattern Two

1. one word (subject, noun can also be the title)
2. two words (adjectives decribing line 1)
3. three words (verbs--participles ending in ed or ing)
4. four words (nouns)
5. three words (verbs--see line 3)
6. two words (adjectives)
7. two words (related to or synonums for line 1)

Besides the word count in the last line, this 2nd pattern has no line reversal. Everything builds on the 1st word in the 1st line.

Example of Diamante Pattern Two:

                         Valentine
                      fragrant, red
          reading, loving, remembering
       cupids,  arrows,  hearts,  friends
             sending, receiving, saving
                      funny, lonely
                     cards, letters

                                              by Cindy Tebo

 

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