Written for: dVerse Poets Pub – Meeting The Bar: “Soliloquy”
(Posted by Frank H.)
The challenge today is to use the dramatic literary effect of soliloquy in a poem.
“Characters in a drama engage in soliloquies when they say something to themselves, perhaps rationalizing out-loud what they plan to do that the other actors in the play can’t hear or hear well. The audience, however, hears them and that helps the audience understand better what is going on. It is also called direct address to the audience.
Poems in general might be considered soliloquies to the reader of the poet’s thoughts. For this prompt one may want to add a dramatic context perhaps as a brief paragraph explaining the scene and then let the poem express one character’s perspective on that context, or perhaps even more than one character’s perspective on the context with multiple soliloquies.
Or, write a poem where you talk to yourself weighing different alternatives or where you try to find an explanation for something that doesn’t make sense or where you simply express how you feel about something. You are saying this mainly to yourself like an entry in a journal or diary. It is you whom you have to convince.”
After starting a new life in another place, years pass, life changes, and thoughts crowd her head. Stay or go back to a former life.
It was impulsive,
perhaps foolish
to move here,
particularly when
I was not doing it
for myself. Back east
are my family and close
friends. Some are unable
to fly to the other side
of the country. Why did
I not see this in the larger
scope of things. I find
it difficult here to pursue
new friendships. I have one
friend here, with whom I
worked in those primary
days–phase of one’s
life where strong bonds
are formed. The beauty
around me is lovely,
but an ache persists.
Other issues arise,
that I will not be
able to deal with alone,
nor place on the shoulders
of one. Should I stick
it out, with doubts,
or move back hoping
not to feel that life
is a clock–going counter-
clockwise?
Sounds tough, the weighing.
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It is.
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Interesting questions arise in a choice like this. You have done well.
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Thanks, Dwight!
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There are consequences we don’t see prior to making a decision. I like how you described this in “Why did
I not see this in the larger
scope of things.” And sometimes one can’t go back.
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Thanks, Frank. I sort of feel between worlds.
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The thing about going back is that back hasn’t been static while you’re gone. I’m reminded of the fellow who always felt he’d be happy somewhere else, only to find he wasn’t, until he realized happy was something you carry develop within and take with you wherever you go. .
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Exactly so, Bev. Back doesn’t sit still while you are gone.
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A difficult choice for sure…
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Very much so.
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… excellent internal pondering. The shoulders of one can get might weary –
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Yes. I would not do that to someone I care about.
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Should I stick it out, with doubts,
or move back hoping not to feel that life
Yes, stick it out Sara,and start all over again. It is just an interlude which will resolve itself given a bit of time. But in the process it makes life more interesting
Hank
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I have always found it strange that it is so much harder to find friends as you grow older. I know exactly the feeling you have.
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Many people have said the same thing.
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I think for me you’ve tapped a dilemma as I move regularly.
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Is moving something you want to do, or have to do?
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A bit of both really, but I’ve decided one more and that’s it 🙂
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I am done. They can remove me feet first.
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Yes, I’m looking forward to that one place.
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🌝
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