Poem and Palinode
I have been writing some short stories lately, and though I am late for National Poetry Month, have been in the mood over the past few days to experiment with different poetry forms. I am always in the middle of a longer creative writing project, so it has been nice to write some shorter pieces and put out a piece of creative writing more often.
I came across this challenge by DVerse to write a palinode. As described on their page, “A palinode or palinody is an ode or song that retracts or recants a view or sentiment to what the poet wrote in a previous poem.” It’s possible to do the poem and its recanting in a two-part poem which is what I chose to do.
A Doggo and His Ball
1.
Franco is a funny boy,
Doggo with a favorite toy.
Balls are this doggo’s delight,
Which he dreams of day and night.
His fixation is annoying,
For the while he is enjoying,
the ball it bounces, skips and places
self into inconvenient spaces.
Only a hooman on her knees,
Face, hands or belly can retrieve
beloved bally from its snares
Under sofas, seats, beds or chairs.
2.
Did I say my darling was a pest,
Just because he gives me little rest?
Maybe I did, but only in jest.
© 2021 Susan Joy Clark
I’m not sure my form is flawless — poem people, be gentle — but maybe light, comic verse gives me more leeway?
This silly ditty below, by Gelett Burgess in 1895, was shared on DVerse’s page as an example of a poem with palinode, and I liked it so much I’ll share it here.
“I never saw a purple cow.
I never hope to see one.
But I can tell you anyhow
I’d rather see than be one.”
Later in life, Burgess wrote —
“Ah yes, I wrote the purple cow!
I’m sorry now I wrote it!
But I can tell you anyhow,
I’ll kill you if you quote it!”
This is beautifully, beautifully done! 💝💝
Thank you so much for that encouragement. As you can read, I was not that confident. I’ve had more practice with prose than poetry. 🙂
Love it, and very cute Doggo. 🙂
Thank you, Kate. 🙂
I love it… I can understand that a playful dog can be a little bit exhausting… though i think calling him pest is something you only do for very short time.
Yes, he is very lovable and loving. It is very rewarding taking care of him in spite of some “pestiness.” 🙂
He is a sweet funny boy. Is he like pest? I smiled in the end. Thanks for joining in.
It is sometimes annoying to get the ball repeatedly, because it gets under the furniture so often, (sometimes immediately after rescuing it) and he is so unhappy to lose his ball. He is also a delight, very sweet and affectionate. Thanks for reading and commenting. 🙂
Very nicely done! I too wondered why it could not be done all in the same poem. You did it very well!
Ah, thank you very much. 🙂
You are welcome!
Your dog is absolutely gorgeous 🙂 And what a fitting tribute: they are exasperating, but we love ’em anyway…
True. 🙂 He is a handsome dog, but he isn’t mine. I take care of him several days a week and have cared for him since he was a small puppy. I think Franco feels I’m part of his extended family, maybe an “aunt.” Thank you for your nice comment. 🙂
Oh then you get all the good stuff and also get to give him back at the end of the day!
Ha ha. Yes. 🙂