Written for dVerse Poets Quadrille Monday
where we are asked to write a 44 word poem in
the format of our choice incorporating the word
‘promise’. Here is my promise quadrille.

Shortly after my mother’s
diagnosis,
I began to feel
not so much
in
love
with James
as
I
thought
I was.
Sweeping away
the detritus
of
my
negativity,
a date
was set
for
the
wedding.
How could
I
break
a promise
to my
mother?
NAR©2024
44 Words
This is “Broken Promises” by Survivor
All text, graphics and videos are copyright for Nancy (The Sicilian Storyteller), The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.
Something that I have seen is a couple going through the theatre of the ceremony without actually signing any documents. Would or could satisfy both promises.👍
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Interesting point, T. And I can see how that would qualify. Thanks for the comment.
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Nancy, the raw honesty here hits so deeply—it’s like you’ve put words to that painful mix of love, duty, and inner conflict in such a powerful, understated way.
~David
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Thank you so much, caro mio. I’m thrilled to know you enjoyed my quad. ♡
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Oh for the trials and tribulations we face. Not envious. My daughter called her wedding off 3 months before the wedding.. hard at the time but so brave and courageous. I still miss the guy but then again; I wasn’t marrying him.. 💗😉
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Great comment! This decision has to be one of the hardest ones to make; it takes great introspection and courage to ignore what everyone else thinks or wants you to do and and follow your strongest instincts. Anyone who finds themself in this position didn’t just wake up one morning and say ‘I’m calling off the wedding’. It’s a grueling decision, one I’m glad I never had to make!
Thanks Cindy ♡
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Oh, this is a heavy dilemma. Powerful short story, Nancy. 👍🏻
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It is not a predicament I’d like to find myself in, Michele. Life deals us some interesting hands and they all need to be played out. I believe promises are sacred and should be treated with the greatest respect. Thank you for your excellent comments, Michele. 🫶🏼
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You’re welcome and thank you for your thoughtful reply that highlights your solid character and personal conviction. 🙏🏻🫶🏼
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You are most kind. 😊🥰
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🙏🏻😊🦋
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Oh dear…..promises made on deathbeds, in moments of anxiety and fear….somehow, in my opinion, I do believe these carry less weight than promises made after a stretch of time, during happiness and mental acuteness. I believe promises carry different depths, different constrictions, different leeways, different roads that shoot off from them. Circumstances must always be apprised…in my opinion. A beautiful image to go with your write.
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Thank you, Dear Lillian, for some very thought-provoking comments! You are absolutely correct. Promises are made in all different circumstances … some with the most sincere of intentions and others just out of hand as we believe it’s what the other person wants to hear. Promises should never be taken lightly and should be treated with respect.
Thank you for this quadrille prompt today in dVerse Poets, Lillian.
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Sometimes a promise will one up, while doubt riffles through the cards dealt. 💔
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*will hold one up*
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Excellent comment, Liz. A promise can be a lifeline for a person adrift at sea and their only sign of hope. Vows are not to be dealt with lightly nor tossed out without a second thought.
Thank you, my friend. ♡
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Some promises should not be made. However, I think her mother wants her happy more than anything. (Though there are those parents….)
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Every situation is different. You’re right, though … some promises shouldn’t be made but I believe if someone asked a promise of me from their deathbed, I would agree, even if I knew I was not able to fulfill it. What good would it do turning down a dying person? That’s just cruel and insensitive. Make the promise and deal with the fallout later, if necessary.
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Absolutely. You can definitely agree to a request on a deathbed. Just word it as : I promise I will do my best.
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Beautifully written!
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Thank you BD! I am happy you enjoyed my promise quad.
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A sad little story, beautifully told.
The video wasn’t available here so I sought one out, due to curiosity about what Survivor might sound like on a song other than the only one of theirs I know. Answer: exactly the same! Here’s the one I found:
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Thanks for your lovely comment, Clive. Sorry for the delayed reply; I just found you in spam.
Yes, Survivor has a distinct sound that doesn’t change, regardless of the song. I like this one, though; it fits my write and I appreciate you searching out the vid when the original one wouldn’t open for you. 😊
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This really grabbed my attention Nancy. It’s beautifully written and very compelling. Is this a true story? ☺️💕
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Thanks so much, Christine! I guess we all promise things at times just to make other people happy. It’s probably happened to someone but it’s not my true story. ❤︎
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Well that’s good. I’d hate to see you torn in half trying to keep promises and doubting yourself ☺️
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A difficult place to be in.
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Any time we make a promise just to please someone else, we put ourselves in a difficult position. Thank you for your comment, dear Sadje.
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Very true Nancy. A promise should never be made or taken lightly
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This does not bode well. If only her Mother had known.
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It does not bode well at all; a promise made in haste.
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Marry a guy for a promise to your mother sounds strange to me…. would she still like it if she had been alive.
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I think we all promise things once in a while just to make someone happy. For whatever reason, the mother wanted this marriage to happen and her daughter promised it would. Now she’s having second thoughts.
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Very interesting my friend!
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Thanks, D! Having a little cryptic fun today
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