It’s Your Choice

Posted on February 24, 2017 by purplepeninportland

Written for:  Imaginary Gardens With Real Toads  (Imagined by Isadora Gruye)
Out of Standard:  Multiple Choice

In the current political climate of my America shaped box, leaders are lifting lines directly from one of my favorite authors – a man whose books are read in every high school in America – George Orwell. Hearing all the Orwellian chatter brought me right back to the classroom. And so it is in that spirit which I present to you today’s challenge.

The Multiple Choice poem
The challenge is simple. Write a poem in the form of a multiple choice test. The whole poem could be a test, or you could insert a multiple choice some where into the normal structure of a poem.

When asked,
what is your favorite
film, you pause;
you want to fit in.
These are intellectuals,
so scratch Fantasia. Mumble
something about documentaries,
then walk off, deeply in thought.

You love Casablanca, because

a.  it unfolds in an exotic place
b.  you are in love with the French National Anthem
c.  you dream of being Bogart/Bergman

You could not get into Moby Dick, because

a.  you get seasick
b.  you detest fish
c.  it is endless
d.  it sucks

Your poetry springs from:

a.  deepest places in your heart
b.  a need of purging pain
c.  you think everything should rhyme
d.  you know big bucks are ahead

http://withrealtoads.blogspot.com/

About purplepeninportland

I am a freelance poet, born and bred in Brooklyn, New York. I live with my husband, John, and two charming rescue dogs–Marion Miller and Murphy. We spent eight lovely years in Portland, OR, but are now back in New York. My goal is to create and share poetry with others who write, or simply enjoy reading poetry. I hope to touch a nerve in you, and feel your sparks as well.
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16 Responses to It’s Your Choice

  1. kim881 says:
    February 24, 2017 at 8:09 am

    I love The Bridges of Madison County because:
    a) Clint Eastwood is a genius
    b) I wish I was Meryll Streep’s character
    c) the scenery is wonderful
    d) All of the above

    I so enjoyed your poem, Sarah!

    Like

  2. Kerry O'Connor says:
    February 24, 2017 at 2:22 pm

    This made me smile.. especially (c) and (d) of the last point.

    Like

  3. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) says:
    February 24, 2017 at 3:27 pm

    Enjoyed a lot… I think when being intellectual you have very little choice though

    Like

  4. Raivenne says:
    February 24, 2017 at 4:45 pm

    Very nicely done. I especially concur with:

    “Your poetry springs from:
    a. deepest places in your heart”

    Like

  5. Isadora Gruye says:
    February 25, 2017 at 3:15 am

    Wow Sara. I love how you used the quiz as a device of internal questioning/introspection. Well done and viva la! Thanks for posting to the out of Standard!

    Like

  6. paul scribbles says:
    February 25, 2017 at 11:23 am

    Clever use of the prompt Sara and please don’t scratch Fantasia.

    Like

  7. georgeplace2013 says:
    February 25, 2017 at 2:32 pm

    Who cares about being an “intellectual” if it means fitting into some box. One of my favorite movies would probably not count as such but I loved “The Purple Rose of Cairo”

    Like

  8. Helen L Dehner says:
    February 25, 2017 at 9:22 pm

    Love this (and believe Fantasia IS for intellectuals!)

    Like

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