NaPoWriMo Day 21: Today, I’ll tell myself

And now for our (optional) 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. Here’s an example I came up with after seeing this video of . . . a bucket of owls.

___________________________________________________________

My poem : ‘Today, I’ll tell myself’

Today, I’ll let time slip through my fingers

and lose myself in a swirl of vaporous thoughts

Today, I’ll tether those thoughts with a string of words on a open field

and tell myself I’m feeding my muse

Today I’ll dress my muse in flowy metaphors and alluring alliterations

and tell myself I’m creating poetry

Today I’ll toss my poetry in an engulfing ocean of emotions

and tell myself it’ll serve as a beacon

Today, I’ll use the beacon to light a torch that ignites sensitivity and amazement

and tell myself that it helped make a more appreciative world

Today, I’ll hope that the world immortalizes my words

and tell myself that I am a poet

Today, I’ll dream that the poet in me is remembered long after I’m gone

and tell myself that I hadn’t let time slip through my fingers

Copyright@Smithavishwanathsblog.com. All Rights Reserved.

NaPoWriMo

22 responses to “NaPoWriMo Day 21: Today, I’ll tell myself”

  1. Andrea Stephenson Avatar

    There’s something quite sad about this Smitha, it has a melancholy feeling. But you certainly aren’t letting time slip through your fingers 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Smitha V Avatar

      I suppose it’s just that the lockdown’s weighing on me and at times I wonder if I’m wasting time writing poetry and then the nagging doubt if what I write is poetry. Thank you for Andrea for being so supportive. It’s people like you whose words I hold on to.💛🤗

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Namratha Varadharajan Avatar

    I echo these sentiments, Smitha

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Smitha V Avatar

      Thank you for reading Namratha. I’m glad you feel the same.

      Like

  3. Xan Avatar
    Xan

    I love the way you drew us through your day and your process, back to where you started.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Smitha V Avatar

      Thank you Xan for visiting and I’m so happy you noticed that I went a circle and ended where I started.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Ananda Avatar
    1. Smitha V Avatar

      Thank you so much Ananda for writing back and appreciating the poem🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  5. SelmaMartin Avatar

    Glad you decided to make today into something so wonderful. You and your poem made me smile. Thanks so much for sharing this.
    ((um, noticed you’ve been looking for me and I do not comprehend why WordPress doesn’t send you directly to the right place. In that regard, allow me to send you where you can find me: https://selmamartin.com )) Thank you for being you. I appreciate you and wish you miracles.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Smitha V Avatar

      Thank you so much Selma for your very kind words. I appreciate it.
      I have been trying to reach you blog. Let me check the link you gave me. Hugs.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Feelings and Freedom Avatar

    Wow! Another beautiful one from you! Loved the way you began and ended with the same words.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Smitha V Avatar

      Thank you so much Vandana. I’m so glad you loved what I did with the poem.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Rahul Gaur Avatar

    This was such a lovely read!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Smitha V Avatar

      Thanks so much Rahul. That’s very kind of you!

      Like

  8. Ron. Avatar

    Go ahead; tell yourself you’re a poet. You are.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Smitha V Avatar

      Thank you so much Ron for reading. That’s extremely kind of you.

      Like

  9. Manja Mexi Mexcessive Avatar

    “Today I’ll dress my muse in flowy metaphors and alluring alliterations

    and tell myself I’m creating poetry”

    This I love the most. Comfortable clothes are important. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Smitha V Avatar

      Thanks Manja so much. So glad you loved the line. Comfortable clothes are important…I totally agree 😀

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Rachael Avatar

    Your words do indeed have the power to make the world more appreciative! ✨

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Smitha V Avatar

      Thank you Rachael for your kind words and taking the time to read the poem.

      Like

  11. grahamswords1962 Avatar

    That’s quite delightful, thank you.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Smitha V Avatar

      Thank you graham for reading and appreciating the poem.

      Like

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