Spirits In Peace Blog

In this lesson, we will focus on the reverse form of the single etheree. Like the original version, it may be centered, left-aligned, or right-aligned, and punctuated or unpunctuated.

One works exactly in reverse order of the single form, starting with a ten syllable line and ending with a one-syllable line. Thus, the format is as follows, and remember each line should be two or three letters shorter than the previous one:

Line 1 - 10 syllables

Line 2 - 9 syllables

Line 3 - 8 syllables

Line 4 - 7 syllables

Line 5 - 6 syllables

Line 6 - 5 syllables

Line 7 - 4 syllables

Line 8 - 3 syllables

Line 9 - 2 syllables

Line 10 - 1 syllable

Here is an example of an unpunctuated single reverse etheree, which was actually part of a pair:

Artistic Dreams

Hear
whispers
in your soul
of dreams telling
of untraveled roads
since your secret vision
is a bright enchanted path
leading to fantasies that may
open artwork’s portals releasing
the joy residing in the human heart

And here is a punctuated one, which was part of a series:

Variations On The Seasons

I love the varied tints of summer’s clime,
the gentle pinks of phlox and the clear
blues of fescue, sage, and catmint.
The mauves of foxgloves and tall
larkspur thrill my soul, while
bright crimson Maltese
cross form piercing
cries of sheer
August
joy.

Now, using the skills taught in the previous lessons, try your own single reverse form.

You now understand the basics of writing a single etheree, whether it be a nature poem one on any other topic or theme. Many variations are possible, and in this lesson I will focus on this concept.

An etheree is commonly centered, but may also quite correctly be left or right aligned. It is interesting to note the difference this makes in appearance. Sometimes glitches in line length that are not apparent in one format will show up quite glaringly in another. I often try mine in different formats to make sure they are satisfactory.

Try the etheree you wrote for lesson one in these different alignments and see how it looks. The best of etherees look fine in any format.

Often etherees are left unpunctuated, and this is the easiest way to start. I also like to leave them without punctuation for the flow of thought that occurs without the pauses. But some etherees almost demand punctuation, and this is a bit of a skill. Here is an example of one that I chose to punctuate:

On The Edge

The
skater,
speeding on
rapid back edge,
reaches far with her
right leg and jabs in that
toe-pick with due precision,
taking care not to change to an
inside edge, perfect timing needed
lest she open in a huge miscued pop.

Note that punctuation can be used at mid-line as necessary.

One tip is to punctuate as you write. Do not write the poem and then attempt to insert the punctuation marks, as they affect line length by two spaces - one for the mark and another for the space that must follow it. Using a capital letter to begin a new sentence will also affect line length.

Here is an unpunctuated etheree, actually part of a pair, which I will later punctuate so you can see what happens:

Love And Knowledge

Know
what you
need to know
but book learning
cannot grant wisdom
so know what you read is
mere knowledge and no equal
to wisdom derived from gleaning
words scripted in the sacred book of
souls where light is written in divine code

Now let’s try inserting the grammatically correct punctuation:

Love And Knowledge

Know
what you
need to know,
but book learning
cannot grant wisdom.
So know what you read is
mere knowledge, and no equal
to wisdom derived from gleaning
words scripted in the sacred book of
souls, where light is written in divine code.

You can see the negative effect on the general configuration. Note that in line 6 the capital letter S occupies more space than did the lower case one in the original. Lines 7 and 8 are too close in length with the comma  and following space added to line 7, and the final line is also too long with the addition of the comma and space.

Never attempt to lengthen a line by hitting the space bar twice. The end result looks horrible, is an obvious cheat, and comes up on any spelling and grammar check.

Some of these fine details may seem trivial or picky, but the etheree is a precise and finely tuned form, and minute adjustments make all the difference between a mediocre piece and one perhaps worthy of publication.