Well, What Do You Think?

Posted on January 22, 2020 by

Written for:  dVerse Poets Pub – Poetics:  Shhhh! Do you want to know a secret?  (posted by Merrill)

“We dance round in a ring and suppose,

But the Secret sits in the middle and knows.”

–Robert Frost

“Apparently, poets also enjoy writing about secrets. This Interesting Literature post covers “the best poems about secrets.” Well, perhaps until the one you write for this prompt! If you click on the link, you’ll see a range of poems that discuss secrets. You may want to use one of these poems for inspiration.

So, today’s Poetics prompt is simple. Write a poem in any style about secrets, or those who are often told secrets, such as spies, psychologists, priests–or friends. You can also respond to one of the Interesting Literature poems. If you want to be tricky and hide a secret within your poem, that’s OK, too—though I may not notice or find it!”

Psychologist has a married
couple as patients, seen
individually. One seems
naive, one is cheating,
fleeting affairs. Psychologist
cares about this married
couple, but when each speaks
to him of the other, out come
accusations, wonderings,
pleas for advice. Each
patient’s revelations
are confidential. Each
half of the couple asks
questions. What do you
think? What should I do?
How great the temptation
must be to he that hears
all but can tell none.

https://dversepoets.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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15 Responses to Well, What Do You Think?

  1. Frank Hubeny says:
    January 22, 2020 at 2:37 am

    That must be difficult to hear both sides and not be able to share the secrets.

    Like

  2. rothpoetry says:
    January 22, 2020 at 3:06 am

    Oh, how hard that would be to hold those secrets! Well done!

    Like

  3. areadingwriter says:
    January 22, 2020 at 8:50 am

    oh. this is such a burden to bear. how to do. i am not sure.

    Like

  4. kim881 says:
    January 22, 2020 at 8:52 am

    Priests, lawyers and various kinds of doctors have to keep secrets. It is a burden indeed.

    Like

  5. Victoria Stuart says:
    January 22, 2020 at 5:28 pm

    And one chance slip of the tongue could have immense repercussions if he gives in to his temptation. Nicely done.

    Like

  6. merrildsmith says:
    January 22, 2020 at 7:45 pm

    That must be such a difficult position to be in. Well-written, and quite a different take on the prompt!

    Like

  7. msjadeli says:
    January 23, 2020 at 5:52 am

    Relationships are complicated and throwing a counselor into the mix that is seeing them individually and as a couple sounds like it would be even more so!

    Like

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