Now — double tetractys

by Belinda Munoz on March 9, 2011

556656621_ba9e8c870f

here
breathing
seizing life
blood pulsating
this ephemeral thrill in which I steep

there is no telling how long it will last
this divine dance
brazen beat
thrumming
now

++++++++++++

This piece was inspired by Ruined, a fantastic Pulitzer prize-winning play by Lynn Nottage about the horrific condition of the lives of the women and men in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  I remain hopeful that you & I & the rest of the world can and will do something to improve the now of the Congolese.  Now…

++++++++++++

This is a double tetractys for One Shot Wednesday.  A tetractys is a poetic form consisting of at least 5 lines of 1, 2, 3, 4, 10 syllables (total of 20).  The second verse in a double tetractys has an inverted syllable count of 5 lines of 10, 4, 3, 2, 1 syllables (total of 20).

++++++++++++

Image by bogenfreund

{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }

1 David Brydon March 9, 2011 at 3:32 am

This worked extremely well, and the simplicity (not undermining complexity of words or structure) of the brevity and word play was brilliant. Wonderful write!

Reply

2 brian March 9, 2011 at 5:36 am

hey you dont know how long so get up and dance while you still can…smiles. and nice call to action on the congo…

Reply

3 rob white March 9, 2011 at 5:48 am

Nice Belinda. For me it captures the exalted energy and freedom of dance… a feeling of freely expressing… I love that.

Reply

4 ayala March 9, 2011 at 5:48 am

A great call to action….I remain hopeful as well that now is the time!

Reply

5 Ben March 9, 2011 at 6:42 am

Carpe Diem. Time to seize that ephemeral thrill. Awesome poem.

Reply

6 Laura Hegfield March 9, 2011 at 8:33 am

I felt the pulse moving through me as I read your words… the rhythm of longing to dance and reach out to all beings everywhere with compassion.

Reply

7 The Exception March 9, 2011 at 9:29 am

Calls to action – Wonderfully written poetry… This post has it all.

Reply

8 dustus March 9, 2011 at 12:54 pm

There is a palpable immediacy to your lines, but what really gets me is the shape the poem takes, which matches the pic, and even kind of looks like spillage. Awesome.

Reply

9 Andy March 9, 2011 at 2:27 pm

Nicely done..and another new form to play with too!
:)

Reply

10 Jannie Funster March 9, 2011 at 3:01 pm

There really IS so much we can do to improve the now of so many people. A beautiful reminder wrapped in such a warm shawl of hope in this poem. Thank you, Dear Belinda.

xoxo

Reply

11 Kavita March 9, 2011 at 11:32 pm

Wooww… loved the pace and rhythm in this one… I could almost hear music in the background… very nice!!
And the structure is fantastic!! I’ve got to try this!! Thanks for the info about the form…

Reply

12 Marlee March 10, 2011 at 5:54 am

Hi Belinda,
This poem and your blog are beautiful. I have a heart for those hurting in the Congo and I appreciate your calling attention to their cry. I like what I see here. I’ll be back! ;)
Best,
Marlee

Reply

13 Mama Zen March 10, 2011 at 6:21 am

This is amazing.

Reply

14 Cathy March 10, 2011 at 3:14 pm

The words cadence are like a single breath – first in, then out. Great structure and the words work well.

Reply

15 Olivia March 12, 2011 at 2:06 am

An awesome take Belinda!

Nice structure with music in it! The imagery played with is well done :)
Smiles xx

Reply

16 Rudri Bhatt Patel @ Being Rudri March 15, 2011 at 1:12 pm

This is awesome. Poetry and awareness in one packed punch. Love the pace, rhythm, and message in your words

Reply

Leave a Comment

Previous post: What Women Want

Next post: Momentum