Love (Tetractys)

by Dreamofolwin   Sep 9, 2009


What
Is love
Can you tell?
A deep stirring,
That conquers all... the enemy of hell.

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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

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Latest Comments

  • 14 years ago

    by Em

    Very true and well done on the superb piece, 5/5. Em

  • 15 years ago

    by Cindy

    Olwin
    Another great poem by you. Great job on the definition.
    Love Cindy

  • 15 years ago

    by Lonely Rider

    A deep stirring,
    That conquers all... the enemy of hell.

    ^^ so true and so beautifully and innocently written... such a sweet write :) well done

    keep writing

  • 15 years ago

    by Meena Krish

    This is written very well indeed with a single
    definition of love that is sweet as well as
    bitter. Well done!

  • 15 years ago

    by Starlight

    You sure do love your "Tetractys" You express them ever so simple.

    I enjoy how much emotions and truth you put into them. It excites me, lol well done!