Thesis and Antithesis

 

I learned to write an essay in my seventies –
a skill I should have had when I was young.
Theme and rheme, subject affecting object,
logic through development to conclusion.

Guesstimate, authentic information,
hard facts side by side to make a point
higgledy-wild or straight extrapolation,
all wrapped up or leaving room for doubt.

Decorate the whole with apt quotation,
count the words and type the subtle title;
hand it in and wait with apprehension,
confident you’ve done your feeble best.

 

Meeting the Bar at dVerse tonight throws down the gauntlet to write a poem of contrasts, synonyms and antonyms scattered with gay abandon.   Do go and read other surprising poems.