For today’s prompt, write a distance poem. As a runner, I automatically think of running when I think distance. But hey, there’s long distance relationships. Or why not get beyond geographic distance and consider distance in terms of time or emotional distance. Or some other interpretation.
This is my first non-kid poem, but I'm thinking I should have written a kid-poem. As much as I like the sentiment of this poem, it's a terrible poem. But I have to work on getting ready to teach class tomorrow night, so maybe I'll edit later if I can.
ReplyDeleteDISTANCE
a villanelle
We measure distance along a line
using inches, don’t try to count between,
where an infinite number of points align.
My parents’ five children, fruit of their loin
flung far and wide to Florida, Eugene,
we measure distance along a line.
Use Google for miles, a route to design.
Find how to get from Sumter to Greene,
where an infinite number of points align.
We scattered like pollen or the toss of a coin,
a long way from each other, we rarely convene,
we measure distance along a line.
Our lives still seem to intertwine,
bring us together. We meet unseen
where an infinite number of points align.
The distance dissolved when we are online,
share talk and arguments by means of a screen.
We measure distance along a line
where an infinite number of points align.
I get the nostalgia feeling once again reading this one. I really miss my brother and sisters. It seems strange that we ended up so far apart...
DeleteI like the idea of sharing with sisters and brothers across the line of distance. Of course I just like the idea of sisters and brothers too. I this a form. I note the repetition and it helps create the distance. Cool poem Victoria!
DeleteI am always in awe of this form of poetry because it is so intricate and so interesting--like a weaving, only with words. Most wonderful.
DeleteI don't thinks this is terrible at all! made me feel set that we are all so scattered to the wind but yet we stay connected via the internet so we are really never far apart. i think this is beautiful!
DeleteDistance-traveling by Linda Rivas Bole
ReplyDeleteI've traveled the distance
I've been on the road
I've been dirty and broken and hungry
but, I traveled the distance
I found my way up
to the top of the pile of rags
Yes, I've traveled the distance
around the U.S.A.
I slept under bridges, beside rivers and in the snow
Oh, I've traveled the distance
can't say it wasn't fun
I'd do it again and again and again
I've traveled that distance
and played in the sun
by the ocean, in the mountains and valleys
I've traveled the distance
backpack on my back
piece of black plastic my home
I've traveled that distance
I've covered it all
I've traveled that distance
down the road
I think this is your best one so far! I am hung up on family poems. LOL. A lot of really good imagery here.
DeleteI felt I was there with you..travelling that distance. very good poem and well written.
DeleteKeeping my Distance or Not
ReplyDeleteAt a distance there is peace,
when up close shows too much
and the heart starts to pound,
creating distance creates perspective.
From a distance I can see
what otherwise may dishearten
in a different light
Then I decide if I'll get closer.
I like this. Kinda reminds me of the song "From a Distance."
DeleteOh boy so true. The push pull of trying to get close enough to really see without getting close enough to be injured. Tricky. This short little poem sums up a lot.
DeleteNice comments. Many thanks for your kind words on my little ditty.
DeleteI agree with Victoria... lovely
DeleteThe distance is very short
ReplyDeletebetween the top and bottom.
Excuses flow as an open hydrant.
You earned and deserved your comfort.
I climb the mountain,
a rock slide,
a wrong breath away from valleys.
The distance between
competent starched shirts authoritative khakis,
and wilted maryjanes with torn plaid skirts
is very small
Awesome imagery again. I love the last "sentence" in particular.
Deletei really like the imagery of this one. very vivid.
DeleteShort. Trying to catch up.
ReplyDeleteFar
Everything is blurry and far away now.
Things recede daily as I run towards them
The universe expands faster and faster
My world seems to contract
like a spasm
or a fist
raised against grief.
Some days I want to face the world with no glasses, preferring everything blurry. Bruce Lee was nearsighted and said he felt it was an advantage to spar with no glasses because it's easier to fight a faceless opponent.
Deleteexcellent! a lot said in so few words.
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ReplyDeleteThis is a reworking of a poem form my scrap heap. It was always, I think, a distance poem.
ReplyDelete11:30 AM
We sit in Harry’s Bagel Shop,
each alone at a table for two.
Nine of us with cups and napkins,
some eat sandwiches, one nibbles a croissant,
two chose bagels with flavored cream cheese.
A young man in red plaid shirt studies
the table top intently, as if it holds
some message only he can read.
A woman gazes into mid-air
while stirring endless circles in her cup
and finally leaves, her coffee unfinished.
A lavender-haired old lady reads a magazine,
a man in a suit works his crossword puzzle with a pen.
Nine people eat lunch together today,
a community of solitaries,
no conversation,
eye contact carefully avoided.
©Priscilla Anne Tennant Herrington
you brought this scene to life and made me feel as if I was there. I could visualize the vignette easily.
DeleteDistance?
ReplyDeleteHe lives in England I live in the States
He is in his 40's while I am in my 60's
we met on a poetry site and enjoyed
each others poems and style.
We began to text each other
and found we enjoy the same music
the same movies and had the same
strange type of humor.
We became friends and have gone
through years of life and hurt
and shared our pain and sorrow
as well as our joys and triumphs.
Some how the distance doesn't seem so far
we have email and text messages to
keep us close. We communicate every day
and time and distance evaporates.