I saw it pass before my eyes
translucent visions taunted I
A smile broke through and then I knew
The kid was onto something new
And so I waited for the cue
from ere my falling from the rye
Drew in long breath, from cares sashayed
Climbed on its shoulders sans delay
O’er pampas fields and far away
Nostalgic trip, kept flying high
The wind that came to me today
Brought back that lass from yesterday
Freedom ‘n racing with the day
Of running wild and moving spry
***
© 2021 selmamartin.com
This fun Zéjel is written for #dVerse Poetry Pub that challenges me with lovely prompts.
The elements of the simplest and most common form of the Zéjel are:
1. syllabic, most often written in 8 syllable lines.
2. stanzaic, opening with a mono-rhymed triplet followed by any number of quatrains.
3. rhymed, the rhyme of the opening mudanza establishes a linking rhyme with the end line of the succeeding quatrains. Rhyme scheme, aaa bbba ccca etc.
Writing challenge: a poem written in Zéjel poetry form as described above. There are 2 rhyme scheme variations which you can choose from, and the theme is your choice.
I’m always lagging a few days behind but wish to participate anyway. Thanks. In my first Zéjel I went for the second variation on the opening mudanza that gives me a “aa bbba ccca ddda” rhyme scheme and which, if I’m understanding the explanation correctly is called the Zahal in Arabic.
Thanks, Grace, for this lovely intro to this Spanish form with its lovely history: Arabic influence related to the Qasida and adopted by the Spanish troubadours of 15th century.
An aside: this entire post was written on my handy ‘smart’ phone. Wow. The things this thing can do! Only part I couldn’t figure out is how to copy the link for the Pixabay photographer to give it the right credits. Anyone knows, please instruct me. Thanks. Photo: Image by Prawny/Pixabay
Thanks for reading, everyone. I wish you miracles.
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Nice! The picture looks like an Arthur Ransome illustration.
Selma,
Loved being swept away by the wistfully inviting imagery, and the invitation accepted, the last stanza just soars! I recognize this “wind” and its nostalgic allure. Beautifully written zéjel.
pax,
dora
This is so whimsical, Selma!
Hehe. I tried. Glad you saw that. XO
This was an imaginative one and I like how it brought this one: Nostalgic trip, kept flying high. Thanks for joining in. Have a good weekend.
This was so much fun to read Selma 😊❣️
I love this dazzling flight of fancy, Selma!
Aww, thanks. I appreciate the read and comment. Happy Sunday to you.
p.s. my copy of your lovely book is due to arrive on Tuesday. I cannot wait to smell and touch it. I’ll review after that. Promise.
I’ll try to post one of those pictures of self with the book. Maybe. 😉
Thanks for all you do.
Oh Selma, that would be lovely! Thank you so much ❤️
Thanks, Ingrid. Why this went to spam is beyond me. I just plucked it out of there. Thanks for doing this, dear friend. You’re amazing. If there’s anything I can do for you do drop me a line. I will. thanks. and IWYM
The lovely metaphor of the wind seems almost mythological— so great.
So glad you read. Thanks for the comment.
I don’t have a smart phone…yet. They are amazing tools. Hubby was hunting for a telephone ringtone this morning – couldn’t find a telephone ring! Lovely image.
I like what you did with the illustration and form. I’m not one for rhyming forms – I don’t write them much. But I do appreciate when someone like yourself does them with finesse and ease 😀
You are kind. I would readily dismiss syllabic poetry that needed rhyming. But I enjoy the challenge now. Perhaps I’m growing ¿? 😂
Thanks for commenting.
I’ll take up the challenge now and then for rhyming… but repeated lines and rhyming along with dreaded meter of any kind are not my go to forms 🙂
We write what we enjoy and that is what keeps us growing and our grey matter twirling.