Lanterne

The Lanterne poetry form is a concise and elegant quintain that originated in Japan. It consists of a single line followed by a descending number of syllables in each subsequent line. The structure typically follows a 1-2-3-4-1 pattern, with the first line containing one syllable, the second line two syllables, the third line three syllables, the fourth line four syllables, and the final line returning to one syllable. This unique structure creates a visually striking shape resembling a lantern, which is where the form gets its name.

Rules of Lanterne

1. It is a poem of 5 lines
2. Each line has a set number of syllables 
3. The first line is 1 syllable, second is 2, third is 3, fourth is 4, and fifth is 1.
4. There is no rhyme scheme

Example Lanterne: 

Crack!
Lightning
Stikes a tree—
God has swung his
Axe

Read more examples here.