Dear Readers and Poets,
It's Day Thirty of #Na/GloPoWriMo 2023. The last (optional) challenge of this year asks the poet to write a palinode – a poem in which you retract a view or sentiment expressed in an earlier poem. For example, you might pick a poem you drafted earlier in the month and write a poem that contradicts or troubles it. This could be an interesting way to start working on a series of related poems.
Alternatively, you could play around with the idea of a palinode by writing a poem in which the speaker says something like “I take it back” or otherwise abandons a prior position within the single poem.
I've opted for the alternative option of abandoning a prior position within this poem. It's called
how to palinode
how to palinode
in haiku kept us awake
our restless silence
broken by bird song when dawned
a tanka -- upon spring moon
a tanka -- upon spring moon
gliding in between many
possibilities--
pause. still. lines emerge to show
how to palinode
*****************
I'm tempted to say more about the poem but I'll keep quiet for now. I look forward to your comments and views.
I missed out on a few days' worth of challenges this year. But with all the fabulous resources and prompts shared by Maureen Thorson throughout April, I'm sure May will be blooming with new poems too.
Thank you Maureen and all the poets who shared their beautiful poetry. A very special thanks to all of you who visited this space and read my poems. And an extra special thank you to the lovely ones who left comments:)
Wishing you all a beautiful Sunday.
