I wrote this yesterday for Napo 3, to Mz Quickly’s prompt and using a few of Elizabeth’s words:
Cinqku
Language
as a means
by which we find
common ground with others ~
magic
Language
turned around
into weapon
insult, cruelty, harm ~
a crime
language
so arranged
to make beauty,
written or said aloud ~
poem
For Day 4, Mz Q suggests we look at some of our recent poems and re-write them in a different style from our habitual one. I have failed. I think.
Yesterday’s cinqku, a poem of extreme form –
bigger than a haiku, smaller than sonnet –
contained a word or two from a list
and a little quasi-wisdom from me.
Mz Quickly’s advice is re-write it,
going against the grain;
but the grain is too entrenched in me
to be able to change.
Clever metaphor,
deep-dug emotion
these are the stumbling blocks
on the way to a different poem.
I would love to change my style, my poetic voice –
I would if I could but I can’t.
I’ve managed to mess up the rhythm,
avoid using rhyme, eschew poetic form,
vary the lineation – maybe that’s the most I can do.
Vivinfrance's Blog 
I like the three part triptych poem into the different facets of language, Viv.
I think that even delving into the process of thought around habits makes it a worth while time spent…there’s so much that goes on in us as writers that just happens so easily…sometimes it’s good to stick a pin in a insect wing and see what the gossamer parts are made of. 🙂
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I agree, Hannah. I think this is why I like the challenge of form poetry – to make me think outside the instinctive line and groom the rhythm.
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Yes, it absolutely is good for that and also makes a puzzle out of words…a game for wordsmiths! So fun!
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I hear you! I took one look at the prompt and thought, ‘Nah!’
Love the first poem.
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Interesting. Language can be used for good purposes or negative….very sad when words are used as weapons rather than connections!
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I take your point! But I do like your use of Elizabeth’s words. 🙂
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when we can find that common ground, it is magic….we cant get there without communicating though, that is for sure…language though can be a weapon….all in how the user intends it…
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There is something extremely human and appealing about the second poem especially, but really about both. But your voice is very distinctive, even if you don’t always like it, and it’s quite a cool voice– direct, thoughtful, cutting through dross–though often funny and self-deprecating. I think it all works pretty well. k.
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Those are each wonderful, although the first might pip to favourite.
>
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Ee, lass, but wha’ they want ya ta do is ta write summat good an’ then mook it oop praper! 🙂
*stung* Hey, I’ve just reblogged something, AND even taken credit for some of the writing! 🙂 😀
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😀
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