The Cinquain is a poetic form whose history is marked by ambiguity. Invented by Adelaide Crapsey, the Cinquain is a form that draws from Japanese poetry, awards itself with a French name, yet is American in origin. Originally inspired by the Haiku, the Cinquain functions mostly on a descriptive level and is very brief. Requirements:

The Cinquain can only be five lines long.
Each line must adhere to a set number of syllables.
Line one is two syllables long.
Line two is four syllables long.
Line three is six syllables long.
Line four is eight syllables long.
Line five is two syllables long.