MTB– Echoing back. dVerse Poets Pub. Prompt Host is by Laura Bloomsbury
and Mr Linky closes on Saturday, the 9th at 3 p.m. EST.
For today’s Meeting the Bar prompt we are writing a poem that includes
questions, answers and repeat lines (refrains).
Poetry Prompt: Include AT LEAST ONE of these in your poem, from Pablo
Neruda’s ‘Book of Questions’. [suggestion – regard these as rhetorical,
i.e. self-reflective]. I like to use as an opening epigraph with nod to the
author of course.
- Why was I not born mysterious?
- Why did I grow up without companions?
- Do unshed tears wait in little lakes?
- How long do others speak if we have already spoken?
- Why does Spring once again offer its green clothes?
- Isn’t it better never than late?
Poetry Style:
• Write your poem as a Ghazal*
• 5 -15 rhyming couplets
• AA, BA, CA, DA, EA, etc
OR
• As free verse, with each line ending in a separate echoing word,
as in Chappell’s poem above
[suggestion – you could write it as two columns or with caesura]
Poetry Theme:
any of your choosing though you may want to focus on Spring or the
Narcissus/Echo myth or any such love story, since Ghazal’s traditionally
deal with loss and romantic love.
Information Links:
*All about the Ghazal
*Examples of Ghazal poems
The Ghazal is one we have met several times here on dVerse ( just search it)
including a good explanation of origins with examples HERE
Friends, I didn’t think I could participate, but upon reading and commenting
a “think” came to me and I remembered a poem I wrote last year that I could
take out for another spin.
You Learn This Late, But Better Than Never
or, Is It
Better Never Than Late?
All my life, as far back as I remember, I thought rain falls from clouds in torrents from the sky–
with my own eyes, I’ve seen this happen–never in a trice questioning, why not, sky
after the rain, puddles get a whopping celebration from children splashing and laughing, barefoot-style
except for when it’s Sunday and mothers with lower lips, bitterness-swollen, dress kids, as wails the sky,
in church clothes, frilly socks, and glossy shoes and drag them to church late, down long aisles.
Isn’t it better never than late?* Just ask the sky–ask the sky.
But all my life, as far back as I remember, I’ve wondered why the puddle lingers like the Nile:
don’t it know! children dislike leather shoes, itchy clothes, and pouty moms green with bile? Where are you, sky?
and that Sunday rain, only temptation brings? Then one day, home sick with the mumps, wild,
no clouds overhead but for one puddle looking sickly like me under the blue sky
I saw it cower and go dry and directly, buckets of rain came falling from the sky!
Rain comes from the ground, not clouds. All my life, I never will not remember: I promise you, sky.
© selma
* from Pablo Neruda’s ‘Book of Questions’
Sharing: The poem I repurposed first appeared in—In The Shadow of Rainbows:
A Collection of Songs of Presence by Yours Truly (Never Will I Not Remember)
Thanks for reading my attempt at a ghazal.
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Hi Selma, what an interesting idea. A fascinating poem.
Robbie, thanks for using that word about the poem. It was a hard prompt. Not sure I did it well. But that’s all I got.
Thanks for reading. Blessings. Is it fall there now? Be well please.
Wonderful 💖
So inspiring words written in poem.
Thank you, Raj. (I try 😜)
Most welcome,My dear! Iam so glad you try 🤪 it’s!
wonderful genesis of understanding
Eye opener. 👏🏽 thanks, Beth.
Great retake of an old poem, Selma!
I appreciate you saying. Blessings
Wonderful poem, Selma. 💕
Thanks for saying that. Xoxo
My pleasure 💕
I love your poem Selma. Such a fun frolic in Sunday clothes, splashing in puddles as rain falls from the sky!
Glad you liked the poem, D. I thank you for reading and commenting. Rain comes from land… do you see? 😉 bless you.
Yes, the water cycle goes on and on.
Love the lightheartedness in “puddles get a whopping celebration from children splashing and laughing, barefoot-style”
And that ending is great.👏🏻
Happy you could relate to or like the ending, dear friend. Blessings.
I like the way you’ve turned the sky upside-down. Sometimes we need that point of view. (K)
Turned it downside up 😉 . Thanks for reading. And commenting. 🤗
Great retake of an old poem, Selma!
Thanks
I enjoyed this lively, lovely tale, Selma. 🙂
Thanks a ton.
It’s wonderful when that understanding comes! 💙
An awakening. The rain
cycle 🔃 🔃 Thanks for understanding. Xoxo
Happy Women’s Day, Merril. 🤗
Thank you, and you’re welcome, Selma! 😊
I think you’ve done a fine job with the form, and the repetition really works for you here. I also like how you’ve turned the question around and wondered about where rain comes from, how it is, what it means, or could or should mean, from the brooding, bilious mothers trying to herd children off to church, dressed in Sunday’s best, while children just want to enjoy, splish, splash. And isn’t it just equally so, that we can find the spiritual, or God, in the most unlikeliest of ways, spaces and events? What could be more lovely and special, dare I say miraculous, if not in a rain shower or storm? And yes, why do puddles linger …. 😂😉
Aww. It’s bound to be a wonderful day when WildChild shows up like this.
I’ve missed you so much. Your words… your presence.
Hope all is well and that you’ve returned. Please stay.
Thanks for this encouragement my lovely. I bless you for taking the time to shower me with your blessings.
And, Happy Women’s Day, my sweet.
(It is you, right? I think so. Your words tell me so. Thanks) be well. 🤗
😃Yup, it’s me, sort of starting back, at least for a while, and I’m well enough, thank you. It’s good to see you busy with things and keeping up with the writing & poetry. Happy (belated) Women’s Day to you too and I hope you have a great weekend. 🙂
Bless you.
Peace 🙂
This was such an interesting read, really enjoyed it especially the end. Really fun short story.
What Lovely comment. Thanks Pooja. I’m thrilled you enjoyed it.
You’re very welcome ☺️
A fun poem/story that brought back fond memories of my kids playing in the rain on a summer day. Your outside the box (puddle) ending reminds me that puddles are magical.
Puddles are magical. So glad this brought good memories. Thanks for reading and commenting JoAnna. Blessings.
Lovely poem, Selma. 🌹
You’ve been MIA. Welcome back, lady.
Thanks for reading and dropping a comment. Blessings.
Hello, It’s good to see you!
I’m not sure what happen. Jetpack updated and I lost some subscribers etc..
Peace & Blessings ❤️
Sometimes that happens to me too.
Perhaps they deem those as bots.
Glad you landed in my feed after a long time. Blessings.
Thank you!
Blessings & Hugs! 🤗
You’ve rendered this poem perfectly fitting with the prompt line. Bravo Selma
Aww. Thanks for the compliment, dear Sadje. Thanks for the bravo remark. 😘 💕
You’re most welcome 🙏🏼
I really love the way you used the prompt… and asking those questions to the sky… really good.
Aww. So pleased with this comment, Björn. Glad you enjoyed my take on the prompt. Xo
“All you got” …. was more than enough! Cheers.
Aww. So very sweet of you, Helen. Thanks for saying that. Happy new week.