Written for David’s Weave Written Weekly #196
where Svenja asks us to write a Double Tetractys
poem about a spicy or naughty relationship,
keeping it suggestive rather than explicit.
This is my Double Tetractys. Thanks, Svenja!

Heat
rises
when you smile
that teasing grin,
promising trouble we should never start.
Your warm hand finds mine beneath the table.
Hearts are racing,
testing fate.
We’re on
fire.
NAR©2026
#W3
Nancy’s Notes: A Tetractys is a five-line, 20-syllable poem that follows a strict, pyramid-like syllable count of 1/2/3/4/10. It is a concise form designed to express a single, focused idea or image within just 20 syllables. A Double Tetractys poem is made up of two Tetractys poems joined together. The first five lines build up, the next five lines mirror them in reverse. Syllable pattern is 1/2/3/4/10/10/4/3/2/1.
This is “I’m On Fire” by Bruce Springsteen
All text and graphics are copyright for Nancy Richy and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.

A tetractys sounds like a type of dinosaur.
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Yes! And a Double Tetractys means a whole lot of trouble!
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