A SONNET FOR MALEFICENT
Tenderly Tippy toe thru the tulips
Utter psalms to sunflowers, heart entire
But be watchful of spinning wheel spindles
They'll churn out forests of thorns to transpire
Thin is the line between good and evil
Thorny the vitriol sparks that unroll
Swift your kind eyes turn gruesome: a gamble
Thenceforth there's no restoring you back whole
Harbor love, benevolence, harmony
The in-between magical realm holds thew
Loom larger than such who're tainted with greed
Abandon them lest your wings cut off be
Good folks will sometimes chase after dark paths
Brought by vortexes past their counter-swirl
Forgive quick, in the grace of kinship bathe
Squirms happen to all in a troubled world
Don't go blind with rage: dark, evil magic
Leave behind the allure for things tragic
*
© 2022 selmamartin.com
Day Twenty-Nine
on APRIL 29, 2022
“Happy Friday all, and happy penultimate day of Na/GloPoWriMo 2022!”
Maureen Thorson, Admin of NaPoWriMo,
Author of Share the Wealth
In certain versions of the classic fairytale Sleeping Beauty, various fairies or witches
are invited to a princess’s christening, and bring her gifts. One fairy/witch, however,
is not invited, and in revenge for the insult, lays a curse on the princess. Today, I’d like
to challenge you to write a poem in which you muse on the gifts you received at birth
— whether they are actual presents, like a teddy bear, or talents – like a good singing
voice – or circumstances – like a kind older brother, as well as a “curse” you’ve lived
with (your grandmother’s insistence on giving you a new and completely creepy
porcelain doll for every birthday, a bad singing voice, etc.).
I hope you find this to be an inspiring avenue for poetic and self-exploration.
Happy writing!
What a blast this has been. I’m beyond happy I arrived on this 29th day of the
month. Honestly, I didn’t think I would, and on the penultimate day of National Poetry Writing Month, I offer you a Shakespearean sonnet.
(I worked with 18 lines taking them for 14… shish, I must be tired).
AN UPDATE: Shakespearean Sonnet (scratch that) >> It's a Heroic Sonnet, I am told... Heroic Sonnet: An 18-line poem that is like the English Sonnet with the addition of a fourth quatrain (after the third) in alternating rhyme. ... The elements of the Heroic Sonnet are: - metric, iambic pentameter. - a poem in 18 lines made up of 4 alternate rhymed quatrains and ending with a rhymed heroic couplet.(phew!) - rhymed, rhyme scheme abab/cdcd/efef/ghgh ii - composed without designated arrival of the pivot, but the poem is summarized and concluded by the ending couplet.
I vacillated with stanzas 1 & 2 and switched them back and forth. (perhaps
I dilly-dallied too long here). Which order do you think works best?
Please let me know as I value your input. (at least the heroic sonnet can
rescue that extra stanza– all’s good that ends well).
Banner & Button, Maureen Thorson [heartfelt appreciation]
And to all of you, my lovelies, thanks for reading.
An Aside:
Japan is on an extended holiday break. We know it as Golden Week. Starts today,
Friday, April 29th, ends Thursday, May 5th. These past couple of years of world restoration due to the global pandemic, all has been quiet, but this is usually a
hectic travel time for everyone. And lovely leisure events. (canceled, resuming)
Our wedding anniversary falls on the 5th — 32 glorious years and counting.
Our son’s wedding celebration is on the 14th — he and his special lady married last
year but postponed celebrations for this year. It’s happening, and I’m beyond excited.
After that, I have a dreaded passport issue to settle; it involves an overseas trip (the
dreaded part). Not excited about this.
This brings me to this: I will be absent from blogging. I will resume my Espressos (scheduled) and read as often as I can. I will return in earnest as soon as my nerves settle. In the meantime, carry on without me. I will miss you.
Enjoy your spring.
- This Happened To Me: Thank You, Susi, The Short Of It - November 8, 2024
- Clasp The Hands and Know: A Poem by John Masefield - November 7, 2024
- Wordless Wednesday - November 6, 2024
Selma, what a joy it was to do this with you. If not participating tomorrow, enjoy your Golden Week and we will catch up in other online spots. Blessings be!
A joy, you say? Gosh, Gloria, my feelings exactly. But every day zoomed by so fast that I couldn’t find the grounding I needed to read more than my human ability allowed. And that Disqus was so long every day. Gosh. That is half the fun, but I felt like a squirrel there– skipping from one tree to the next on and on. Goodness, when I grow into this I want to do it like the big girls do it. I swear. But the crux of it all is that I still had a blast!!!!!!! what fun that was. Thanks for ALL the support you gave me. I’m overjoyed. Thanks so very much. xoxo I bless you, dear one. xoxo
Selmaaa! The postcard has arrived, today! 🙂 I’m still in Tuscany but my sister scanned it for me. Thank you so so much. It is so cute and full of love. <3
I wish you a wonderful Golden Week. What a great name for a holiday. You can only be golden during it. Have a marvellous celebration of all the love around you.
At a quick glance it seems a little long, this sonnet. Yes, one stanza extra. But that is you! With so much extra love! Be well!
Joyful, Joyful. Yay!!!!! That postcard has traveled far. Gosh. So glad to know.
About my Sonnet– You know, I just didn’t notice that until you mentioned it. hahahahah I must have been tired– hehe. four lines more and I just did not notice. I rectified it by labeling it a Heroic Sonnet; not Shakespearean. Yay! Thanks, my sweet. You bless me. I bless you back. stay sweet.
I love this, Selma. Very imaginative response to today’s prompt! 💕🙂
Thanks, Harmony. Your words make me giddy. xoxo
A busy schedule indeed and a heartfelt poem. Safe travels and fun celebrations! Blessed Be 🙏🏻
Thanks, Ruth. Your encouragement and daily cheering was/is priceless. I so appreciate you. I tried to return every favor but fell short. Good gracious, whirlwinded! Blessings. xoxo
Loved your take on the prompt Selma. Best wishes on your family celebrations. Safe travels and stay blessed my friend ❤️
Aww Radhika. A blessing is what you are. Thanks so much, sweet one. Stay as you are. Congratulations to you too for your A-Z phenomenal posts every day. Adored them. So cool you. Stay sweet. I wish you miracles.
What a lovely sonnet Selma with a beautiful message. Wish you a happy holiday season. Thank you for all the poetry in April.
Likewise, lady Sonia. You and your words were such an inspiration to me. Thank YOU. Stay sweet. I will be seeing you around. I will take a long break but I will certainly look you up upon my return. Stay as you are. I bless you and wish you miracles.
Thank you Selma💐
this one made me think, I like when poems do that… thank you for your wisdom 💙😊
Krissy, you’re a gem. Thank YOU. We will be seeing more of each other, I promise, sista. xoxo
absolutely! sista yes! 💙😊
This was in spam. Sorry ’bout that… Thanks for comment, dear Krissy. I bless you.
no worries!
Awesome, Selma. I am so inspired by your talent and ability to lean into all of these prompts. Congratulations on a stupendous month of poetry!
Kathryn, dearest. Thanks so much. I had too much on my plate, reallly. Thanks for your steady support, I’m just so overwhelmed with all I needed to accomplish to get here. Knowing you were reading kept me honest in this lovely space. Again, thanks. Let’s talk soon. xoxoxoxoxo
Impressive sonnet, Selma…I think your stanzas flow well as is. CONGRATS on doing NaPoWriMo!! Enjoy your celebrations.
Aww, Lynn. Your support for my efforts was/is swelling my heart with gratitude. Thanks for all your lovely comments. I need to do some catching up now. I bless you.
Happy weekend selma. ❤️ have a safe travel and enjoy.
Thank you sweetie, Rhamhona. I appreciate your loveliness and kindness. Stay as you are. i WISH YOU MIRACLES.
Thank you my dear Selma.. ❤️💕😘
Enjoy Selma.
thanks, K. Thanks too for the consistent support. Adore you. I bless you. I wish you miracles.
Have fun 😊
Thanks so sincerely, Deb. I bless you and wish you miracles. xoxo
A lovely sonnet, Selma. I like this, and your use of words is so interesting. I particularly liked the verse that is second from last, ‘Good folks will sometimes chase after dark paths …’ I hope you have a wonderful break away. Please have a safe journey, and I look forward to catching up with again on your return. Ellie 🙂
I value your words, Ellie and I too will be here to support you Give me time. I bless you and wish you miracles. xoxo
A very beautiful message for all, Selma. ❤️
Thanks for reading, sweet Daphny. I bless you. xoxo
Beautifully done! Your use of slant rhyme keeps the piece melodic and not sing-songy at all. My fav line: “Brought by vortexes past their counter-swirl.” <3
I am moved by this poem, which I needed to read twice for the richness of it. The later stanzas are my favorites. The words make me think about how some are sucked in in by negative news, crime shows on TV, and other scary stuff – the allure for things tragic is understandable, but risky. We need to harbor, to nurture, love, benevolence and harmony. Great job, Selma!