Tetractys
Tetractys, a poetic form invented by Ray Stebbing, consists of at least 5 lines of 1, 2, 3, 4, 10
syllables (total of 20). Tetractys can be written with more than one verse, but must follow suit
with an inverted syllable count. Tetractys can also bereversed and written 10, 4, 3, 2, 1.
Double Tetractys: 1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 10, 4, 3, 2, 1
Triple Tetractys: 1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 10, 4, 3, 2, 1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 10
and so on.
"Euclid, the mathematician of classical times, considered the number series 1, 2, 3, 4 to have mystical
significance because its sum is 10, so he dignified it with a name of its own - Tetractys. The tetractys
could be Britain's answer to the haiku. Its challenge is to express a complete thought, profound or
comic, witty or wise, within the narrow compass of twenty syllables." - Ray Stebbing
Example:
freedom
free
from you
your ego
your blaming me
i am a free spirit who has no past
Copyright © 2001 Terri Anthony
