Written for The Skeptic’s Kaddish writing challenge posted on May 22, 2024
where the PoM is Suzanne. (thanks for the lovely prompt, Suzanne).
Okie dokie ~ Let’s do this thing!
I. The prompt poem:
‘Where is hope?’, a poem by Suzanne Brace
II. Suzanne’s prompt guidelines
- Compose a poem that conveys ‘Movement’, using repetition to move your
ideas and imagery forward.- You may use repetition in many different ways – repeating sounds,
syllables, words, phrases, lines, etc.
- You may use repetition in many different ways – repeating sounds,
WHAT-IS-THIS? WHAT'S THIS! WHAT NOW...
Eh! What's this? What's this?
The air has gotten warm.
What's this? There's movement everywhere
What's this? I can't trust what my eyes spy
--I must be drunk or dreaming!
Wake up, wake up, or on your shoestrings
you will trip. What's this?
Wait, what? What's this?
I'm sensing something changed.
What's this? Festivity in the air
with folks sincerely happy.
What's t h i s?
The grass is lemon-green,
critters all around and
flying birds that twitter.
Seems I've landed in an earthen spring
where colors are exploding.
I've never seen suchlike as this.
There are children singing songs
and grownups cheering on;
no one's grumpy, no one's sore
and, absolutely, no one's cross.
Oh! I can't believe my eyes,
no one warned me what I'd find.
Now, at my core, I'm cozy,
warm tears welling in my eyeballs...
Oh look, a marching mob arrives
passing presents to old and young--
they hug and kiss
why, that is so unique, and tender.
They linger long for conversation
and hug and kiss again.
Ah! A fruit truck comes along
and people group 'round to drink and talk.
What's this, what's this?
They seem to know each other yet
behave as if it's been a while--
how queer!
And why?
There's a good feeling all around
not one nightmare could be found
among the cozy things
no screams or complaints,
only sweet music in the air
and the pleasant smell of pastries
everywhere. Everywhere I look.
*And there's a smile on everyone
So, now, correct me if I'm wrong
This looks like fun
This looks like fun
Oh, could it be I got my wish?
What's this?
*The sights, the sounds
They're everywhere and all around
I've never felt so good before
This empty place inside of me is filling up
I simply cannot get enough
*I want it, oh, I want it
Oh, I want it for my own
I've got to know
I've got to know
What is this place that I have found?
What is this?
It's an ordinary town on earth,
indeed, indeed!
Oh my, what now?
What now...well, hope!
© selma
* lyrics by American composer Danny Elfman.
animated musical film The Nightmare Before Christmas.
The soundtrack composed by Danny Elfman.
You know the one I mean…
this one…
Thanks for reading… I hope you felt the movement in this post.
I’m a simple woman who dares to see the beauty in ordinary. I’d love to connect with you and like pen pals, I want something beautiful to blossom between us. Will you join me? Selma is my middle name. Its meaning—peaceful, complete, are euphoric affirmations I like to think of myself as having. They compliment the joy I feel when I write. I sincerely hope you decide to join me on my writing journey. I Wish You Miracles.
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Wow! Selma, this is wonderful! I love the breathless questioning, the repetition which propels the reader forwards, wondering what is happening. The sense of joy building, the expectation of happiness so real. A superb ending and yes, hope that our ordinary towns and villages can be just so! 😀❤️
Doubly Oh frabjous day! Callooh, Callay…
Thanks for noting this is possible still. Bless you. Xo
Uhm I am a *huge* Nightmare Before Christmas fan. I recognized the lyrics immediately. So, thank you for that fun.🤩
I enjoyed going along for your very animated poem. I think these lines were my favorite:
“There’s a good feeling all around
not one nightmare could be found
among the cozy things”
Oh frabjous day! Callooh, Callay…
That was an enchanting stroll through your hope-filled world! 🕊️
Hope filled world it is. Imagine though. I know you can. Thanks so much lovely Michele Lee. Bless you.
Yes, I can. 🕊️ Thank you, sweet Selma.
May it come to be.
A wonderful piece of poetry my friend. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Thanks so very much dear Sadje. Blessings sent your way. XO
Thanks 🙏🏼
So beautiful poetry . So funny Nightmare video clip.
Hehe. Thanks so very much, Raj. So happy you liked the video clip. 😜
I have a lovely big smile on my face reading this, thank you Selma! What’s this? It’s pure happiness in a poem, the movement throughout in the repetition, and oh if we could move out the bad and have good feeling everywhere – what a wonderful world. I enjoyed watching the video too
💞Suzanne
I’m so happy you smiled. Mission accomplished dear Suzanne. Blessings. Thanks did the prompt.
How.
Okay, I mean… First of all, just – delightful and makes me SMILE. But also – merging it with those existing lyrics… that is just perfect, Selma. You did it perfectly. I love it.
~David
Made you 😊 smile. Yay. Happy to know, David. Have a nice Sunday. Good night from me. Xo
😴
What an enchanting poem, Selma! Beautifully done.
Oh thanks. 🙏 glad you liked it
I’m puffed after reading your poem, Selma! What a great take on the prompt! What’s this (I love Nightmare before Christmas) 👏💖
Puffed?! Like a blowfish’ 🐡? Thats such a funny thing to say. Made me laugh. 🤣 happy you liked it.
I also enjoyed your post. Very informative. History. Wow.
😂No. Not like a blowfish. I meant I was puffed, breathless with the pace of your poem. It’s a compliment ( I hope).
🤣 you’re funny. Now I cannot get rid of you as a blowfish. 🐡 but I’ll sit my silly mind down for a talk. You are not a blowfish.
Be well my sweet history buff. Bless you.
😂 🐡🤣 I don’t mind being a blowfish 😂🐡
You too, Selma 💖 xxx
Thanks, Selma. I love history.
Hi, Selma! 👋🏻
Just wanna let you know that this week’s W3, hosted by the amazing Mich Navajas, is now live:
https://skepticskaddish.com/2024/05/29/w3-prompt-109-weave-written-weekly/
Enjoy 💖
Much love,
David