Step out the door and back in time
to Grafton when I’m only nine,
beyond the lonely the cul-de-sac
the river ran along the back
of our lot line.
of our lot line.
A magic place to be a child
where wizards, trolls and faeries wild
kept hid amid the river banks,
and exploits worth the scolds and spanks
always beguiled.
always beguiled.
So out that door and back in time
to Grafton when I’m only nine,
beyond the lonely cul-de-sac.
But unable to venture back,
memory’s sublime.
memory’s sublime.
Image by R. Stainforth, River Irwell
This poem was inspired by the image of the River Irwell found at The Mag which looks so very much like the Milwaukee River that went past my childhood home. The form called called Florette comes from IGRT. And if you follow each of these links you will be in for treat. Very briefly though, the form consists of Rhyme scheme: a, a, a, b, b/a; Syllable count: 8, 8, 8,12
(fourth line has an internal rhyme of b on syllable 8, with the final rhyme a. And the poem should consist of two or more stanzas.
xxxxxxxa
xxxxxxxa
xxxxxxxb
xxxxxxxbxxxa
I love how the picture took you back, and this form offered you a way to explore those memories.
ReplyDeleteThank you for participating in a Real Toads challenge.
Thank you Kerry, it's great to be back!
DeleteI too grew up near the river, two infact, and I recreated Huckfinn and davy crockett more times than I can recall. What wondrous memories.
ReplyDeleteOh and thanks for introducing me to Florette.... I'll try my hand.
rel
Ah, what fun! I hope you check out the link to Imaginary Garden with Real Toads (IGRT). It's a very nice site, and gives a more thorough explanation of the form.
DeleteSuch delightful memories...and use of the poetic form
ReplyDeleteThanks Susie. I didn't have a perfect childhood, but I think it was damn close.
DeleteThis is lovely, Mary and so so evocative. There was certainly no river near where I grew up, but I had all those same ideas every time I got near one and your poem was like reading a memory of that.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ben, I'm glad it evoked some good memories.
DeleteA memorable trip
ReplyDeleteAnd your rhymes were hip
The cat did a flip
Like he got into cat nip
I'm sure there was some cat nip growing on the river banks Pat. lol
DeleteI know that river! A beautiful florette...love your nostalgic poem.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteDelicious and exquisite poem.
ReplyDeleteThnak you!
Deletenice...love the magic of childhood you evoke in the middle stanza...where i grew up has some of that same magic as well...and the rhyme scheme is rather enchanting..
ReplyDeleteThanks Brian, glad you shared the magic :o)
Deleteexcellent! there was a river, nah, a "crick" running behind my house growing up, too. this rings so true and the form is very subtle here. nice!
ReplyDeleteThank you Marian, there something so special about the water.
DeleteMy favorite this week.....
ReplyDeleteWho wouldn't want to live with the faeries...?
re: Word of the Day:
YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!
;)
Wow, thanks Mimi! hahaha!!!
DeleteSounds like a wonderful childhood. This is great, Mary.
ReplyDeleteThanks Laurie - I had sooo much good in the hood, I can't complain (but sometimes I still do...like Joe Walsh). lol
DeleteI like the fairy world that you invited. I can I go there with you sometime :)
ReplyDeletehttp://leah-jamielynn.typepad.com/blog/
i like how you captured the magic in this scene
ReplyDeletethe river
Ah, memory. A magical poem. I'd like to be taken back to places myself; this renewed the impulse! Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary Ann :o)
DeleteThat's really an interesting rhyme scheme and lends itself well to your subject matter.
ReplyDeleteQuite lovely!
=)
Thank Sue.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete(typo removed)
DeleteMemories of wonder you seem to have not lost!
ReplyDeletePS. Don't go back. It all looks smaller! :-)
Yes, faulty memory often improves the past ;-)
DeleteSo glad I read yours after I posted mine, or I would have chucked it! This is just perfect. I love it!
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you MM!
DeletePerfect form and words ~ I like the memories of the river ~
ReplyDeleteLove it Mary--I'm about ready to go pull mine down, after reading everyone else's. This one is especially fluid and lovely.
ReplyDeleteThank you Joy.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI love rhyme and with two more it would be a sonnet.
ReplyDeleteI greatly enjoyed this and love rhymes, word play and all the standard tools of the trade that folks ought to use more often but they feel it's not 'in style'.
Thanks Meg.
DeleteThis just lovely. It flows like that river. And I'm really impressed with the rhyme. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThis form, allows expression to flow in and out of text, like ripples in a river. I loved the time travel, the fantasy and reality woven together through your imagery. Your poem is artistically crafted and a joy to read. Thank you for sharing, Mary. =D
ReplyDeleteThanks very much Linda.
Deletewow. three stanzas that all connected. amazing. i had a hard enough time writing just one. i'm jealous!!
ReplyDeletestock market robots
Aww, thank you.
DeleteOh absolutely, because we all do know back then was such a delightful time!
ReplyDeleteEspecially in retrospect ;-)
DeleteThis is a quite lovely poem and very evocative, especially so, because R.D.Stainforth is from the North of England and I think, but not absolutlely sure that his picture is the Irwell which bisected my brthplace, Bury, in the County Palatine of Lancaster!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, Mary.
Ah, thank you Doctor. It's a lovey river, I hope you have wonderful memories of it and your childhood too.
DeleteThis is perfect for both prompts! I love the nostalgic quality.
ReplyDeleteThank you Razz.
DeleteLovely...you took me there...this one is begging to be set to music...
ReplyDeleteThank you Tess - I wish I was more musical (despite my name, I'm not very).
ReplyDeleteLovely poem , Mary! Deep rabbit hole for me.
ReplyDeleteCold Chisel " Flame Trees" song , describing the northern river town of Graftons blazing Jacaranda and Kurrajongs in spring.
The band also recalled Elspeth Huxleys "Flame Trees of Thika" . She was Aldous Huxleys cousin and Thomas Huxleys grandaughter
Thomas Huxley, "Darwins Bulldog" for his fierce support of the theory of evolution .he was assistant surgeon on the HMS Rattlesnake , sent to explore around Australia and New Guinea, wow.
Thanks.
Wow right back atcha! I'm glad this sent you down a rabbit hole, and not after a red herring :o)
DeleteGreat use of rhyme and rhythm.
ReplyDeleteThank you Dave. It's a new form for me, sort of fun.
Deleteexploits worth the scolds and spanks
ReplyDeleteWhat a great picture this paints, Mary! You must have enjoyed your childhood. ♥
Thank you Jinksy. And you're right, I managed to have quite a bit of fun :o)
DeleteOh, yes!!! This is a lovely nostalgic florette!! I love this line:
ReplyDelete"where wizards, trolls and faeries wild
kept hid amid the river banks,"
I love the magical feeling of this part! Smiles!!
beautiful!..
ReplyDeleteJJRod'z
This is a beautiful memory relived in poetry Mary! :-)
ReplyDeleteSeeing this form got me interested... Lovely poem, thanks.
ReplyDeleteThe resilient & mischievious age, that 9.
ReplyDeleteThanks guys <3 - sorry I didn't see your comments sooner!
ReplyDelete