Today’s challenge was to write a poem of simultaneity – in which multiple things are happening at once. A nice example might be Emily Dickinson’s “I heard a Fly buzz – when I died”, or this powerful poem by Sarah Green.
All I had to do for today’s prompt was take a page of my life when my mind and my mobile are at their active best. Multiple things happen at once. Wrote a prose poem for this prompt initially. And then revised it the next morning. Have retained both the original and the revision.
This is the revised version of the poem. Below it is the original prose-poem.
6:00 a.m. The alarm rings
Shut my eyes and close my ears
But there are umpteen things,
That got to be done, so I better get out or end up in tears
Turn on the water heater, Iron the uniform,
Better get the pasta cooking, avoid a panic storm
Beep! says my phone. It’ll only take a minute. Let me check.
It’s Meghan and Harry planning their wedding deck
Scroll, scroll, this here is her hair stylist and that’s her best friend
They do look stunning… there’s work I must tend
Add some pine seeds and the green pesto sauce
Lunch boxes ready; what’s this on Zumba? I’m at a loss
Time’s ticking, another beep
Kim Kardashian’s family pic- “first ever”, so it says
And there’s Zuckerberg telling us ways
to protect our data. Better rush or the kids will be late
Lindo wing‘s getting ready to take in Kate
Oh set it aside I must. Bread, jam, milk on the table
Can’t have the “Careless Mom” label
“Where’s my scarf?” can hear them screech
Hunt, hunt for that which was never lost. In the wardrobe, within their reach
Beep again. It’s about the Queen- a pretty picture in a yellow floral dress
Shove the phone aside. Time’s ticking. Its adding to my stress.
Goodbye, goodbye, cheeks kissed
Is it late in California? Call now or face the wrath of a sister pissed
Comments, Messages, Posts and Beeps
Seconds, minutes, hours roll by, its giving me the creeps
News on deaths tragic!
Royal news pops up again, its got to be a trick
They’re influencing my brain, taking away my time
Kate and Meghan, the comparison -what’s that to me, not worth a dime
Cambridge Analytica, it must definitely be
Messing up my head, monitoring what I see!
Original Prose Poem
Meghan and Harry look bewitching. She is absolutely stunning. Look at her hair and her smile. The wedding’s on May 19th.Kate’s due to deliver now…They are betting on the name of the baby to be born. For God’s sake, aren’t there better things to do? Here’s another :
Kate prettier or Meghan? Seriously, don’t people have a life. What’s this? Kim Kardashian’s first family photo of five. Really? First picture!That’s surprising. Isn’t she the one who posts a selfie on Instagram every single day. This one’s bad: a documentary on plastic pollution in our oceans. That’s disturbing. And it’s terribly sad. All our garbage dumped in the water! Now what’s Zuckerberg saying about the data leak?
Nothing much apparently-just ways to change users’ privacy settings. An invention that turned into a monster. But nobody really cares They’re still posting pictures of themselves and their kids and telling people what they are eating and where they’re going. Now they’ve moved to Instagram instead.
Hey, this is Paul walker’s daughter: Oh, she’s so pretty! Feel sorry for the way he died. So good looking. 5 years already. Ironic I say. Fast and furious actor, dies in a car crash. Death’s tragic. Destiny. I wonder how Ank’s daughter is doing. Can’t seem to forget her. Full of life, she came and went like a breath of fresh air. God, please let her soul rest in peace. Wonder what time it is in California. Too late to call now. I hope they’re fine. What’s that smell?
Shucks! The rice is burnt. How fast does this new grain cook? Stupid me! I must remember to take care next time. Better open the window a bit. The smoke’s choking. Gosh, its warm and its barely 10.00 a.m. Summer’s here. Winter went in the blink of an eye. No more excuses. I have to put on my walking shoes again. What was that post on 8 fitness goals for 2018, that I had read?
Run a marathon, Use kettle bells, Climb to a high altitude, touch your toes, do a plank, do push-ups, do a pull-up and try Zumba! That’s new. If dad could do it, I’m sure I can too. O.k. he didn’t actually do it. He watched the youngsters at the camp do it but at his age, that counts too, doesn’t it?
The WordPress icon is showing. Its Pranitha, Preethi, Moushmi, Vandana and Robbie. They never let me down. I must reply. Here is Katie’s, Shan’s and Dahlia’s comment as well!
Need to find the recipe on the cutlets and trifle. Was it BBC Good foods or All Recipes that I had tried? One was bad and the other was a hit. Oh dear! I can’t seem to remember which was which.
A message on messenger from a friend and another one on what’s app from Binny– an invitation to coffee! Sounds good. Tomorrow should be nice.
But first I must call the grocery. Need to order some fruits and milk…Hey, Facebook’s showing some new notifications. Oh, it’s dear Kalps, Merriline and Madhuban.
What’s the Queen saying of Trump and Obama? She does look charming in a yellow dress. The flowers matching those in the garden. Pretty, pretty. Why is there no news from family in India? Busy with the wedding or a problem with the net. Gosh! it’s 11 a.m. How long have I been staring at this silly screen? It’s ruining my eyes and messing my head.
One second though. Why is Meghan always in trousers and Kate in dresses? And Salman Khan is on bail for the black buck case. It’s 12 p.m. already. Damn!
Wait. There’s one more message on the phone. Its from dear Fy. I have to respond. Smile, wink, ha ha…while reality waits: food to be cooked, beds to be made, laundry waiting and dishes in the sink!
Why are my nails chipping off and these red spots on the skin? Don’t panic. Check Google. It’ll only take a minute. Oh My God! What’s this? Oh forget it. Focus, focus, “breathe in, breathe out. Live in the present. Smile.”
Is it the 10th today or the 9th? Facebook is reminding me to send birthday wishes. There- Type- Send- Done. What’s this now on Vitamin D? Wait a minute. Why is Megan and Harry back on my screen and Kate too? It must be Cambridge Analytica . Praise the Lord! It’s 1.00 p.m!
P.C. From the net
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