30 Poems in 30 Days with 30 Forms
The Skinny
The Skinny is a recent discovery on my part. I had the opportunity to listen to Truth Thomas, the creator of this poetic form, in a webinar earlier this year.
A Skinny has 11 lines.
Line 1 and 11 are any length. Line 11 must use the same words from Line 1 (okay to rearrange).
Lines 2, 6, and 10 are identical and one word in length.
The point is to convey a vivid image with as few words as possible. You can read more about the form here.
My first attempt at a Skinny, “Bits and Pieces” is here. Below is a desert Skinny.
Patricia Franz is a kidlit writer and published poet. She believes children, dogs, and sourdough have a lot to teach us about life, joy, and wonder. She has raised two boys, four dogs, and holds a master’s degree in Theology with a focus on children’s spirituality. Patricia, her husband, her Bernese Mountain dog, Bonny, and her sourdough starter split their time between the Arizona desert and the Sierra Nevada mountains. 