Linda G. Hill has challenged us with another prompt for JusJoJan using the word “captivating”. Here is my submission – a Dectina Refrain. This refrain is written as follows: 1st line – 1 syllable, 2nd line – 2 syllables 3rd line – 3 syllables, and so on for 9 lines; the 10th line is comprised of the first four lines as one stand-alone line.
Eyes of green like the sea captivating and pulling me in with every crashing wave. Those eyes frighten and thrill me. Should I run to them or from them? The heady allure outweighs the fear. Eyes of green like the sea captivating.
Tom has invited us to participate in this Mansionic Pioneer Poem prompt. Happy to do so, Tom! The first words of each line are the rhyming words. Each line must be 5 syllables or less. The last two lines of the poem are the same as the first two lines, only written in reverse. Here’s my poem.
Dectina Refrain: This refrain is written as follows: 1st line – 1 syllable, 2nd line – 2 syllables 3rd line – 3 syllables, and so on for 9 lines; the 10th line is comprised of the first four lines as one stand-alone line.
David ben Alexander, The Skeptic’s Kaddish, has inspired me to take a page from his book and create my first Dectina Refrain Poem
photo art by misky.uk
You looking at us five? We are unique. How we worry you! Why are you so afraid when you don’t even know us? Our five hearts are breaking for you, consumed with hate, so unaccepting. “You looking at us five? We are unique.”
A guest post written by my friend, Paul Griffiths, AKA The Birkenhead Poet 🕊️
My father says he hates the Arab. I know, my father says he hates the Jew. Why can’t they shake hands and be friends just like me and you?
I wonder why they hate each other. Yes, it’s strange indeed and I find it hard to understand. Our father’s hatred for each other started over a silly piece of land.
My father calls this piece of land Israel. My father calls this land Palestine. Why can’t they live together peacefully and then everything would be fine?
My father says he would die for his homeland. Yes, my father says the same. My father tells me the Palestinians are the problem. My father says Israel is to blame.
I think the world of grownups is a crazy place. Yes, I think you’re right about that; I totally agree. Why can’t our fathers see past their hatred and become friends like you and me?
I know, wouldn’t that be great if our fathers could be friends; to live at peace together so that this senseless fighting ends? It would be a dream come true if the fighting was to cease. To live as one together, to finally be at peace.
But my father hates the Arab. Yes, and my father hates the Jew. Who knows – maybe the solution to such a problem stems from us children, kids like me and you.
Yes, wouldn’t that be cool? Peace found in a peaceful way. Such a simple solution to a problem almost sounds like child’s play. If only our fathers could be friends instead of sworn enemies, How things would be different, how better things could be.
Maybe if we both spoke to our fathers maybe they could call a truce; A peaceful solution finally brokered by the innocence of youth.
I’d like to thank Paul for allowing me to share his poem on my page. There are countless songs written about peace in our world; here’s one of my favorites –George Harrison’s “Give Me Love”.
Just who in the hell do you think you are Sitting out there in your flashed up car? Everybody knows that you’re just a fool Strutting ‘round town like you’re oh so cool!
You chased me and wooed me and swept me off my feet With dime store trinkets and whispered lies so sweet. I felt so very special when we were out together. Ignoring all my friends when they said I could do better.
It didn’t take long for your true colors to show. And you turned into someone I didn’t even know. That was just the start of a whirlwind of deceit. Thinking you could use me and then kick me to the street.
My father always told me you were nothing but scum But I just wouldn’t listen, I acted deaf and dumb. You think you’re perfect like Jesus walking on water But tell me, what kind of man leaves his wife and daughter?
What happened to your soul, your spirit, your heart? Did you ever once wonder why it all just fell apart? Of course you didn’t; your conscience is clean Of every misdeed you claim to have never seen.
So do us all a favor and get the hell out of here. Don’t come close to me or the ones I hold so dear. Take your heart of rotten wood and don’t bother to return. You’re going straight to hell and I’ll be laughing while you burn!
How can this be Cow got sold Hen lays no eggs The pig ran away My goat up and died The horse has no hay Sheep lost her wool Bull has the flu Well has run dry Flies swarm around Farm’s overgrown Barn is in tatters Plow rusted over Truck engine’s dead Bills piled high And money is gone Wife left me cold I’m here on my own Cow got sold How can this be
Here is a corrected version. I didn’t realize the first words of each line had to rhyme!
How can this be Cow got sold Hen lays no eggs Pen has no pigs Goat up and died Boat has a hole Sheep lost her wool Sleep now evades me Well has run dry Spell of no rain Farm’s overgrown Barn’s in tatters Truck engine’s dead Stuck in the mud Bills piled high Pills by my side Wife left me cold Strife is my friend Cow got sold How can this be
The Elephant's Trunk 