What are some tips on writing a good cinquain poem?
There are many formats.
On popular one is as follows:
Line 1: one word (subject or noun)
Line 2: two words (adjectives) that describe line 1
Line 3: three words (action verbs) that relate to line 1 (can be
a phrase)
Line 4: four words (feelings or a complete sentence) that relate
to line 1
Line 5: one word (synonym of line 1 or a word that sums it
up)
Another option:
A Cinquain also has a more specialized meaning. Influenced by
Japanese Poetry, the American poet Adelaide Crapsey developed a
poetic form she also called a "cinquain." Hers is a short, unrhymed
poem of twenty-two syllables, five lines of 2, 4, 6, 8, 2 syllables
respectively.