The following description and example are reposted with permission from Poetry Magnum Opus, with thanks to Judi Van Gorder for years of work on that fine resource.
Tho Sau Chu or Six-Word Verse [Vietnamese] is measured by word count and uses either alternate of envelope rhyme. It can be written in quatrains or octaves. When written in octaves it is called Six-Eight Poetry The elements of the Tho Sau Chu are:
- stanzaic, written in any number of quatrains. It can also be written in any number of octaves.
- measured by word count, 6 words per line.
- rhymed, either alternate, abab cdcd etc. (when written as Six-Eight abababab cdcdcdcd etc.) or envelope, abba cddc etc. (when written in octaves abbaabba cddccddc etc.)
My Example
Form: Tho Sau Chu

Old New Form Takes a Bow
This poetry form comes from Vietnam
which doesn’t rhyme with Uncle Sam
but with either mom or bomb.
Am I certain? Yes I am!
If my lines led you astray,
it’s because I’m a contrary guy.
I feel my misdirection is okay
when a second reading explains why.
I’m writing this Tho Sau Chu
(though English cannot do it proud.)
This form hereby makes its debut
with only one hundred words allowed.
I think none will be uptight
with a new form that’s presented
to shine and share the spotlight;
with ninety-six words I feel contented.
© Lawrencealot – January 31, 2015
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