With my word-weaver clasped tightly, fingers sweat with effort to complete the task laid before me. I lasso the thoughts pouring from imagination-central knowing all the while that the hands of the space-marker sweep too fast – there is no leeway, I cannot knee-bend for grace and favour. ‘Tsk! Tsk!’ bony digits admonish, epithet-hurlers curl ready to strike. ‘Axe-wield afore clock-strike!’ Is all they will say.
This week, Bjorn, our host at dVerse Meeting the Bar has introduced us to the concept of kennings. To quote Bjorn, ‘a kenning is a very brief metaphoric phrase or compound word and it means “to know”‘. It comes originally from Icelandic, but also exists in other languages such as Swedish and German. I can also tell you that ‘I ken’ is also used in Scots dialect in the same way! So, in brief, it is a way of using a compound phrase in place of the normal word in use.
I really enjoyed this – although it was quite tough to get my brain into the right gear! I hope my offering has worked – do let me know what you think.
Today, our only limit is the number of words – 55 in total.
All the authors showcased by Samuel tonight were better known for their novels, and yet considered themselves poets first and foremost. I was hooked into tonight by reference to Jude the Obscure, one of my favourite classic novels of all time.
I hope you enjoy my offering… And I will visit as many other 55 word creations as soon as I can.
*****
– The Big Reveal –
Realisation breeds fascination
Wonder at a life of sorrow
For I have finally understood
I can start again tomorrow
Yesterday was not the blueprint It didn’t set my future’s way Unused hours arrayed before me Are mine to appreciate and say –
This week’s dVerse Poetics is asking us to consider calendars – whether it’s our weekly planner, a diary for this year almost gone, a brand new one for next year – and get those words down for all to see.
I think I’ll let the poem speak for itself. Please visit dVerse to read the other thoughts of my fellow poets!
– Glad to see the back of you –
This year I wanted time to stop just before I knew that I needed no more change. But only in hindsight, only after the fact (that I still can’t swallow). A bitter pill stuck in my throat, razor sharp edges that cut, a scab that I pick at just to make sure. That I loved you enough. That I was good enough. That there was time enough to fit in a life’s worth of you. There are too many dates that stick in my mind, numbers have the power to bring me to my knees. 2014 – be better. Please.
