BLAST OFF, with the Countup & Countdown!

Count ups and count downs are fairly short forms, consisting of ten lines only. You may choose to use meter or not. You have the option of rhyming or not. It’s quite flexible, however, you ARE limited to 55 syllables.

In the count up the first line has one syllable, the second line has two syllables and so on until you reach the last (tenth) line, which has ten syllables. Like this:

1 syllable
2 syllables
3 syllables
4 syllables
5 syllables
6 syllables
7 syllables
8 syllables
9 syllables
10 syllables

The count down is the exact opposite, beginning with ten syllables on down to the last line having one syllable. Like this:

10 syllables
9 syllables
8 syllables
7 syllables
6 syllables
5 syllables
4 syllables
3 syllables
2 syllables
1 syllable

When I create either a count up or count down, I start with a single syllable subject and then create a ten syllable descriptive phrase. Now you’ve got two of your ten lines and all you need to do is fill it in. Don’t be afraid to play around with it, nothing is written in stone. You might start with the subject of “hug” and end up with “boo”!

***Now if THAT isn’t a great Halloween prompt I don’t know WHAT is! LOL


Here is a Writing.Com count up and count down example:

Autumn  [ASR] #521031 Countdown poem about autumn (Count Down) by ElaineElaine

Coolness slithers in and passes out nips
to awaken colors that explode
in bits of yellow, red ,and orange.
Energy infuses all,
while nature serves her feast.
Dance on leaf-strewn earth,
sing clear night skies,
hide from harm,
yawn and
sleep.



NOW grab your fingers and toes and start counting up… AND down!


Other count up/down links:

http://pages.prodigy.net/sol.magazine/pl01form.htm#countup


For more poetical type info click here: "A Poet's Tool Box"