April 24th

[Luce]

NaPoWriMo Prompt for April 24th: Write a ekphrasis — that is, a poem inspired by a work of art. But I’d also like to challenge you to base your poem on a very particular kind of art – the marginalia of medieval manuscripts. Details click http://www.napowrimo.net/

Alternative Prompts::

1. Write about a place you have never been to but would like to visit one day.

2. Write about a stranger you saw on the bus, street, etc. Imagine his/her life.

3. Take a favorite song and base your poem on that song.

Luce

[JJWilliamson]

Theft of the Logarithmic Spiral (ekphrastic poem)

I see you goblin,
hiding in the old snail’s shell,
before the slime and smell
of the sluggard within
had dissipated.

We anticipated
your impish crooked plan,
you odious little man,
and so we baited
his helical home

with syrup and foam.
Now drop your wicked haul
you narrow-minded troll
and leave his house alone.

But if you choose to linger
with your sticky thieving fingers,
we’ll fill your stolen jar
with carrion, muck and tar.

[Crayon]

Theft of the Logarithmic Spiral (ekphrastic poem)

We see you goblin,
hiding in the old snail’s shell,
before the signs and smell
of the sluggard within
had dissipated.

We anticipated
your impish crooked plan,
you odious little man,
and so we baited
his helical home

with syrup and foam.
Now drop your wicked haul
you narrow-minded troll
and leave his house alone.

But if you choose to linger
with your sticky thieving fingers,
we’ll fill your stolen car
with carrion, muck and tar.

JJ, I like it; especially "syrup and foam".

Maybe: 'slime and smell'?

I know "car" has older meanings than combustion-engined vehicles, but it still jarred a bit. Hey, how about 'stolen jar'?

I'm puzzled by the narrating plural "we". Why not 'I'; as in a scribe as the creator; the one quilled godhead?

Considering the mathsy title, I expected maybe mention of the golden ratio or Fibonacci sequence.

You seem to have stepped out of the manuscript but, considering the prompt, no mention of margins, borders or verges?

[JJWilliamson]

Thanks, Crayon

JJ, I like it; especially "syrup and foam".

Maybe: 'slime and smell'? ...I have a loose rhyme scheme running but it's a possibility. What!! I hear you say. It's ok, I've got you now. Duly changed.

I know "car" has older meanings than combustion-engined vehicles, but it still jarred a bit. Hey, how about 'stolen jar'? ...That would be more in keeping with the period. Thanks.

I'm puzzled by the narrating plural "we". Why not 'I'; as in a scribe as the creator; the one quilled godhead? ...Had 'I' originally. Why did I change it? Can't remember.

Considering the mathsy title, I expected maybe mention of the golden ratio or Fibonacci sequence. ...It simply references the snail's shell and the increasing size of the spiral compartment as it grows. The Archimedean spiral stays constant all the way through. That's as far as I'm prepared to go. The golden ratio is often present in the old masters (art). Leonardo's last supper is a madhouse of ratios.

You seem to have stepped out of the manuscript but, considering the prompt, no mention of margins, borders or verges? ...Here's a link to my goblin.


https://huntingforsnails.wordpress.com/ ... ry/page/2/

Taken a liberty or two.

Best

JJ

[Luce]

Prompt: Stranger on the Bus

Connections

Your parcels were nestled at your feet
like small brown puppies fast asleep.
You gazed at the scenery as the bus
whizzed through the streets. The gusts
of wind, we all saw, blew caps and hats
away. I spotted your smile, the one that lasted
until your stop came, when you collected
your bags, said goodbye, your last connection.

Luce

[Luce]

Nice one JJ.

Luce

[JJWilliamson]

Really liked your poem, Luce

The possibilities are great.

JJ

[bodkin]

"a place I've never been"

http://www.ianbadcoe.uk/2017/04/napowri ... ssini.html

[JJWilliamson]

Ian! you're producing some good stuff and this one's no exception.
Nice one.

JJ

[bodkin]

Thanks JJ, I wondered if you'd appreciate my 25th one also...