Day 21 ... NaPoWriMo / Poem-a-Day

Today marks the end of the third week. One more week, plus two days! Maureen Thorson’s NaPoWriMo prompt: “Have you ever heard or read the nursery rhyme, 'There was a man of double deed'? It’s quite creepy! A lot of its effectiveness can be traced back to how, after the first couplet, the lines all begin with the same two phrases (either 'When the ...' or 'Twas like ...'). The way that these phrases resolve gets more and more bizarre over the course of the poem, giving it a headlong, inevitable feeling. Today, I’d like to challenge you to write a poem that, like this one, uses lines that have a repetitive set-up.” Robert Lee Brewer’s Poem-a-Day prompt: “[T]ake the phrase "(blank) Me," replace the blank with a word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then, write your poem. Possible titles include: 'Tell Me,' 'Forgive Me,' and/or 'You've Got to Believe Me.' Of course, feel free to bend the rules and have a title like 'Home Sweet Ho(me)' or 'Pick a The(me).'” Alan worked from both prompts again. He said, "This poem may only by coincidence resemble anyone living or dead." Overlook Me There was a man who looked the part, so his career was at its start, and when it started, then he’d write of changes he’d make, if he might, and when those plans were authorized, he delegated, deputized, and when his deputies were done, he’d transfer each and every one, and when their transfers all went through, he thought of nothing else to do, and when his plans failed one by one, he dodged the blame for what was done, and once he’d dodged, he got promoted. That’s why administration’s bloated. —Draft by Thomas Alan Holmes    [Do not copy or quote . . . thanks.] From me, both prompts again today. Great opportunity to play with anaphora, repetition at the beginning of successive phrases or passages. I am trying for a quiet echoing here. Writer’s Block Me I am still waiting for bubbles to rise through dark water I am still waiting for new sun to glow peach at the horizon I am still waiting for sky to open for one raindrop I am still waiting for breezes to stir and spiral upward I am still waiting for angels’ wings to waft soundless I am still waiting my lover’s hand soft on my cheek I am still waiting I am still  waiting —Draft by Vince Gotera    [Do not copy or quote . . . thanks.] Florenus, False Sunrise (Wikimedia) This photograph is of a "false sunrise," where an apparent sunrise occurs while the sun is still below the horizon, caused by rare atmospheric optics. I thought it went well with the poem because the speaker, if faced with this view, would still be waiting for the true sunrise. Friends, won’t you comment, please? Love to know what you’re thinking. Thanks! Ingat, everyone.  ヅ

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