Siglem 575

Siglem 575 is a type of minimalist poetry consisting of stanzas composed of three verses of five, seven, and five syllables respectively.
Origin and development
The poetry style was created by Venezuelan-German writer and translator Patricia Schaefer Röder and first published on her blog in 2011, later being published in her book Siglema 575: poesía minimalista. The term "siglem 575" is composed of the Spanish word sigla, which means "acronym," and the English word "poem." The number 575 refers to the number of syllables that compose each verse.
In 2015, Schaefer Röder and her publishing company Scriba NYC created the annual International Siglem 575 Contest, with participants from all over the world sending their entries. Since then, two poetry anthologies of the best contest entries have been published. The siglem 575 style of poetry is now being taught in different schools around the Americas.
Rules
The siglem 575 poem is of minimalist nature. The title must be the subject and the two must hold relevance to each other. There are as many stanzas as there are letters in the title and each stanza must start with its respective letter. Each stanza is composed like a Haiku; it must be made up of three verses, the first of which holds five syllables, the second of which holds seven syllables, and the last of which holds five syllables. Each stanza must encompass a separate thought about the subject.
Example
HOPE
<poem>
Hail all those who pray
who have faith in what may come.
Fortunate, they are.
Only the patient
may receive this luxury.
Waiting takes talent.
People will give up.
It is only expected
that weaklings succumb.
Eager we become
when our wishes are granted
and hope becomes fact.
</poem>

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu