Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Used




To step into the used book store
and breathe in that bewitching scent
I know my paycheck’s all but spent.

Perhaps I’m just an old book whore
but urgently they call to me
insatiably, I must have more.

Not safe and not expedient,
to step into the used book store.


This is written in the form called Octain, created by Luke Prater. It has a rhyme scheme of
A-b-b a-c/c-a b-A, with the 'A' meaning that line is repeated, and the 'c/c' being a line with internal rhyme. Also each line has 8 syllables, ideally iambic tetrameter. The photo is from Magpie Taleshttp://magpietales.blogspot.com/2011/05/mag-66.html (#66) where Tess Kincade gives a weekly writing prompt. Thank you both.

22 comments:

  1. That's an interesting form hosting a very good poem.

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  2. That's a lovely Octain for sure Mary!
    I just loved your expression here.. :)

    Hugs xox

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  3. In this small city I live in there must be at least ten used bookstores .... they are as you describe them.

    Beautifully composed.

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  4. Yes, it is intersting, for me it was the rhythm. My reaction was similar to that I feel when I read the third (last) line of a haiku. There is a shock of incomplete metre. But in this form, that is all balanced out in the last two line stanza.

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  5. ah yes, there is a used bookstore nearby that will run me broke, but i love it so...

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  6. I guess I am a whore too! LOL I love going to thrift stores for books as well.

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  7. Doctor & Olivia - thank you muchly

    Helen - You are sooo lucky! And thanks.

    Stafford - There is a more complete explanation of the form at One Stop Poetry.

    Brian & Kristen - It sounds like we all have that in common :o)

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  8. I much prefer second hand book shops, I love the musty smell of books. Lovely piece, Mary.

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  9. I, too, love the smell of old books, the magic of stepping into a bookstore, the anticipation of what story will I escape into next. I surely am a "book whore" right along with you! Love this in Octain format, and the descriptiveness of your poem. Nicely done!!

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  10. Ginny - Thanks so much! It really is magic, isn't it?

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  11. Personally I don't like to confine myself to particular forms. But your poem suits admirably.

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  12. I love writing to a set form, and your poem's a corker!

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  13. Lucy - the forms help me when my muse is shy. It's maybe a crutch of sorts. Thanks for the thumbs up.

    Jinksy - heheh, thanks. Care to give the form a try? You can do iambs or just 8 beats per line if that works better for you. If you google 'One Stop Poetry' and 'octain' there is a more complete description.

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  14. Hi Mary~ Having read about the very intricate octain, I admire all the more the prosody of your verse. You've evoked that delicious passion of stepping into a used book store with that familiar smell and that need to buy so many luscious books. Brava!

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  15. Margaret - Thank you so much, and thanks for stopping by!

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  16. beautiful ..

    the first stanza instantly impressive.

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  17. Wonderful read because I can identify and fascinating explanation because I've just learned something new. Thank you.

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  18. That's really good! A clever format indeed. A bit like dance steps...(which I never get the hang of!).

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  19. Bee - Thank you, seems there are a lot of book lovers here.

    Lena - Thanks, I like the dance analogy! Give it a try, it's not so bad :o)

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  20. I must be the only one that followed your facebook prompt...I so fricking love used book stores the smell is why I to this day don't own a digital reader...

    Good poem, and very close to my heart!

    Wander

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