the school lawn, brimming
the sea breeze blows them in closer
contestants shiver
under the glow of a 20-watt bulb
hung precariously
above the open-air stage:
Moon casts me a spell
mires me in a silver puddle—
so starts the spelling bee
© 2022 selmamartin.com
Written for dVerse where Sanaa, aka adashofsunny is hosting. She says, “A Quadrille. This feisty little poem is an invention of our own design: precisely 44 words (not counting the title) including the word that we provide.
“Today, I’d like you to ponder upon the word “Spell.” “
Thanks for reading my quadrille. The town school I went to was near the sea, and
our spelling bees usually took place outdoors to accommodate a worthy audience.
I usually took part but, to the dismay of my parents, never won a spelling bee.
I could have, I know, but my timidity– the fear of being the last one standing on
such a stage, in front of all those people was more than my little heart could
handle. I stayed on for as long as I could endure, and then I misspelled. Off the
stage, I went: in my mind, a win.
Wonder girl image by productionpollockco from Pixabay
Decorative Image by kmicican from Pixabay
Thank You.
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What a lovely poem Selma
Oh sweet, Sadje. You read. Thanks so much. Glad you liked it. Xoxo
You’re most welcome! BTW, I’ve linked my one liner to your espresso moment 💗
Sadje, dearest. I saw your comment yesterday. Of late, I’ve been getting tons of spam that my spam-blocker diligently sends to the spam folder. Several times, they’ve misinterpreted things and I scoop good comments out of spam. I went there to see if your pingback was there– it wasn’t! Last thing I did before sleep is complained to Jetpack that has never stirred me wrong. They say it must be an Akismet thing. What to do? I do not know. To my knowledge, this is the second time this month this has happened. Both times with you. I am so sorry as I have no way of knowing. The pingback should work; it’s set right on my end. Please continue giving me the heads-up when you pingback to me. Please, my sweet. I don’t want to miss you, or any legitimate soul engaging with mw out there. (spammers could rot in the muddy waters of River Styx for all I care. Thanks, Sadje. xo
There is a s a problem with genuine comments landing in spam these days. Worry not, I’ll leave a comment in your post. Thanks a lot
Thank you so much Selma, I’ll do that.
Very nicely done, Selma.
I so appreciate you say that. Thank you. XoXo
You are most welcome!
A lovely poem, Selma. I can relate to the small child you were at school. I was just as timid and would rather be anywhere other than on the stage. And how lovely to have lived by the sea, too. I’m wondering whether you still live near the sea now? I’m in the middle of a big city, a fair way from the nearest coast. Thank you for sharing your quadrille. Xx 💖
Ellie, you read. Thanks my sweet.
The sea— the Caribbean Sea was a given for me. I got caressed everyday with the breeze it generated for me. That was my childhood: Belize!
Now you ask? Yup, still close. A brisk 40 minute walk lands me at the beach. But not the Caribbean Sea. It’s the Pacific Ocean on the east side of Japan. So blessed.
Hope you can procure a visit to the coast before your fam moves in. It might bring the clarity you hope for. I recommend it my sweet. Do. Thanks for reading my Quadrille. Xo
Love how you included both definitions of spell here! Sounds like a lovely memory, although I can understand the nerves, I was the same!
Same same you and I, then. How lovely. So glad you enjoyed it. Blessings on your new day.
This is stunning “spell” poetry, Selma. I love the two definitions blended together. <3
Colleen thanks so much for reading and commenting. I appreciate you. Blessings.
Great poem, L-O-V-E-L-Y
Aww. Made me happy. Thanks.
This is absolutely splendid! I so love how you tied together spell and spelling here, adding more dimension to the poem. Thank you so much for writing to the prompt ❤️❤️
Thanks for the lovely prompt, Sanaa. You rock! XoXo
What an amazing setting for a spelling bee! So perfectly conjured.
I’m thrilled you liked the setting. The crowds were large. Indoors wouldn’t do. Not when the breeze and the moon were free commodities. Thanks for the comment, Kate. Blessings.
Selma, for a shy child, being in the limelight can be torture. A painful memory shared here today for you. Did you ever tell your parents?
I did. Yes. But they wanted me to overcome my shyness by exposing me to it. And I couldn’t fight that. I wanted to overcome too. But… thanks for reading and commenting. Blessing. XoXo
You’re most welcome, Selma.
That can be a terrifying time. Kudos to all the kids who participate and win these contests.
I agree. Kudos to those kids. Thanks for the comment, sweet Grace. Bless you. XoXo
I never liked the spotlight either. There’s plenty of room in the chorus I think. (K)
Yes in the choir. 😉 thanks, K. I bless you. XoXo
Wonderful poem, Selma😄✨
Thanks, Deeksha dear. I appreciate the read and comment. XoXo
Loved the two facets of Spell coming together in a seamless blend of poetry. Great work Selma 💖
And I am thrilled you read, Radhika. Thanks so dearly. Xoxo
Wow, that was fantastic, really enjoyed it
Deb. Thanks my sweet. Blessings.
Spell has many meanings… Bee or not 😉
I think you are/ were a very smart child.
I have gotten better at spelling words, but more…I spell words into sentences for poems and stories 😀
adorable fun Poem that put a smile on my face Selma! 💖
Aww. Thanks. And congratulations on the book launch. Tremendous. 👏
Oh Selma, I can understand how you must have felt. Being shy one does shun the limelight. Thanks for sharing this. ❤️
Thanks for sharing the clarity of this memory! I know what you mean about timidity. Sometimes I watch Jeopardy on TV and think, I could do okay on that show, but it’s much easier from my living room.
Much better from your living room. I hear you. Be well my sweet. Blessings.