The Ethree (or Etheree, never sure of the spelling) style poem is another one of the simpler forms of poetry. It does not require meter, or even rhyme.
An Ethree is ten lines long. The main requirement is that the first line is either one word (or one syllable) and that the next lines continue as follows:
Two words (or syllables)
Three words (or syllables)
Four words (or syllables)
…all the way to ten.
If one chooses to count words from one to ten, then in each line it must focus on the count of words. The same token with syllables. Below I have two examples of Ethree style poems, the first counts words from one to ten and the second counts syllables.
~*~
(#1: Words)
God
Must be
So truly wonderful;
For who else would
Send His only begotten Son
To die for the sins of
A race of people that He created
And that turned their backs on Him, even
Though all He showed to them was the love
Of a father like no other that is on Earth.
©Stacey Uffelman 9-24-15
Here is the poem written counting syllables in each line. I tried to make it in the same vein as the first poem so that one can see the control one must use when counted syllables.
God
Must be
So truly
Wonderful! For
Who else would send
His one and only
Son to die for the sins
Of those who He created
When they turned their backs upon Him
And all He ever showed them was more
Love than any father could on Earth.
© Stacey Uffelman 9-24-15
With syllables, the poet must concentrate on what words they are using and where. It’s a good challenge for the brain. One of course has to think when counting words, too, of course, but I always felt that counting syllables and getting the poem to end “correctly” was a bit more of a challenge. 🙂 The poet could choose either way to write the Ethree depending on their mood. 🙂