Hmmmmmmm, actually, Michael, I like cinquian. Even more strangely, perhaps, I like some of yours.
It's just another form of "short poetry" to me. Like an epigram, perhaps. Concise and to the point, whatever that point might be. Of course, it's better if you actually
make a point while you're at it. < g >
If nothing else, it serves as an exercise in restraint, which a lot of poets could definately use. Wouldnt it be fun if we could take all the long winded terrible poetry we've all read and say to the author, "That's a great idea you've hidden in that overly-descriptive, modifier-heavy, adjective-enhanced 40 line poem you've written....now reduce it to a cinquain.and try not to lose a thing." The attempt alone would be a valuable learning tool for many.
I've done that a few times myself and been so pleased with the result that I tossed the original "too much information" first attempt away and held onto the shorter-and-therefore-sweeter cinquain instead.
Innominate
Behold
the changeling child.
The indolent daughter
of the night. She is the sun's bitch.
She shines.
Self-portrait, of course. < g >
Lo