Very nice. I tried to come up with something along the lines of Gertrude Stein’s “there is no there, there,” but didn’t get very far. You’ve done me one better and written an entire poem. I’d forgotten all about cummings.
Always late to the party, I'm catching up after some time travelling. I've written a response to the 'Bittersweet /Anadiplosis' prompt with what I'll just call a 'glimmer' based on a real experience a few years ago. I mined it from an old journal entry and have thought about it often. Here goes:
--
A woman passes me in the park, causing me to turn and follow her with my eyes. This woman's scent is not just of a rare and particular perfume. Her scent is a blend of tobacco mingled with that particular perfume. They are the scent of my long-dead mother, ever the smoker. Momentarily, in my mind's eye, Mum is smiling, waving her cigarette as she speaks. And as always, wearing red lipstick and that particular perfume.
Speaking of "always late..." I missed this! I'm so sorry. I'm returning here to create a link for the "re-cap" section of the Nov 1 newsletter...and this is just a pleasure to find.
These pieces all have a sestina quality to them, with the echoes and repetition.
Bittersweet indeed. I'm seeing and smelling--rich images and evocation. The red lipstick in the close takes a good turn.
You captured to the gift it is, those odd moments when we see a long-gone beloved in another. Yes.
I chose to work in the style of that master of anadiplosis, e. e. cummings:
the way we knew we knew it was
.
.
the way we knew we knew it was
the time to dance and dance we saw
the too stars dim but shine they grew
and sing they must and watch we saw
.
the day so grew while work we did
which day night by this in out time
wash then fold then kiss then rise
never don’t glow if glow can be
.
glow stars they watch we slow step dance
four now but two still us might be
if wish but grew then up pass near
watch wait love old grows young go we
Erin--this is lovely! A must read--sing even--aloud. It's moving. The one word of two syllables stands out. And the closing line lingers.
Thank you Alison!
Very nice. I tried to come up with something along the lines of Gertrude Stein’s “there is no there, there,” but didn’t get very far. You’ve done me one better and written an entire poem. I’d forgotten all about cummings.
Thanks Frank! He’s always worth revisiting :)
Always late to the party, I'm catching up after some time travelling. I've written a response to the 'Bittersweet /Anadiplosis' prompt with what I'll just call a 'glimmer' based on a real experience a few years ago. I mined it from an old journal entry and have thought about it often. Here goes:
--
A woman passes me in the park, causing me to turn and follow her with my eyes. This woman's scent is not just of a rare and particular perfume. Her scent is a blend of tobacco mingled with that particular perfume. They are the scent of my long-dead mother, ever the smoker. Momentarily, in my mind's eye, Mum is smiling, waving her cigarette as she speaks. And as always, wearing red lipstick and that particular perfume.
Speaking of "always late..." I missed this! I'm so sorry. I'm returning here to create a link for the "re-cap" section of the Nov 1 newsletter...and this is just a pleasure to find.
These pieces all have a sestina quality to them, with the echoes and repetition.
Bittersweet indeed. I'm seeing and smelling--rich images and evocation. The red lipstick in the close takes a good turn.
You captured to the gift it is, those odd moments when we see a long-gone beloved in another. Yes.
Thank you, Alison. I loved writing it and it came easily. This is not always the case.
I so look forward to these writing prompts. MLT
Oh! It's so good to know you look forward to these--makes my day.
And what a feeling--when writing comes easily! That feels to be a gift, surely.