The Triquain, created by Shelley A. Cephas, is a poem with several creative variences and can be a rhyming or non-rhyming verse. The simpliest form is a poem made up of 7 lines with 3, 6, 9, 12, 9, 6, and 3 syllables in this order.

Triquain Chain: a string of 2 to 4 Triquains, a space between each triquain.
2 stanzas - 3, 6, 9, 12, 9, 6, 3 3, 6, 9, 12, 9, 6, 3
3 stanzas - 3, 6, 9, 12, 9, 6, 3 3, 6, 9, 12, 9, 6, 3 3, 6, 9, 12, 9, 6, 3
4 stanzas - 3, 6, 9, 12, 9, 6, 3 3, 6, 9, 12, 9, 6, 3 3, 6, 9, 12, 9, 6, 3 3, 6, 9, 12, 9, 6, 3

Triquain Crown: a string of 5 Triquains, a space between each triquain.
3, 6, 9, 12, 9, 6, 3 3, 6, 9, 12, 9, 6, 3 3, 6, 9, 12, 9, 6, 3 3, 6, 9, 12, 9, 6, 3 3, 6, 9, 12, 9, 6, 3

Triquain Swirl: a repetition of the Triquain string that is connected by a 3 syllable line as follows:
3, 6, 9, 12, 9, 6, 3, 6, 9, 12, 9, 6, 3... and so on.

Also, to be more creative, you may add a hidden thought in your swirl by taking 3 or 4 syllables in line 6 of your first triquain in the swirl and link it to the following 3 syllable lines throughout your poem to make a thought summing up what you have written in your poem.

Triquain and Triquain Swirls are always centered.

Example #1:

night watch (Triquain Swirl)

a tangy
sweetness fills the sea air
as a zephyr gently caresses
clouds moving across the sky much like an aura
of a painted luminous rainbow
that will pierce your senses
as you dream,
a bouquet like perfume
will bring peaceful rest through the evening
as the moon and stars in the heavens watch over
earth in silence of serenity
ending darkness to bring
in God’s light.

(hidden thought: pierce your senses as you dream in God's light)

Copyright © 2007 Shelley A. Cephas

Example #2:

Evermore (Triquain Chain)

Hear the bells
chime every Sunday morn,
beauty of the Lord’s day is reborn
as sunshine showers blessings from heaven above
a gift from God of His gracious love
shines brightly in our hearts
evermore.

His blessings
delivered by angels
in constant communion with our Lord
as grace is poured out on those who believe in Him.
He shall never leave you comfortless
for He will be with you
evermore.

Copyright © 2007 Shelley A. Cephas