Stay Calm

Posted on May 17, 2021 by purplepeninportland 
Written for:  dVerse Poets Pub - Quadrille

What's In a Word?  (posted by Lillian)

"SO WHAT IS THE EXACT WORD REQUIRED FOR TODAY’S QUADRILLE?
It’s WOUND. How did you just pronounce the word in your head when you read it? It can be pronounced in two different ways, each with its own meaning. It is indeed a homograph!"

"Want to make today’s prompt a bit tougher?  Instead of just using one pronunciation/meaning of WOUND as one of the 44 words, include the word WOUND twice – as two of the 44 words – using both of its meanings/pronunciations and thus including the homographic pair. Whether you use the word “wound” once or twice in the body of the poem, the poem must be exactly 44 words in length- not including the title."


I am wounded, bleeding.
Please call for an
ambulance, but take no
chances.  Wrap my leg
up first.  Don’t curse,
Do you want me
to lose my leg?  Yes,
you can.  Do not get 
all wound up; use your 
shirt, and tie it tightly.

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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23 Responses to Stay Calm

  1. revivedwriter says:
    May 18, 2021 at 12:30 am

    The part about ambulances and taking no chances was my favorite.

    Like

  2. Helen L Dehner says:
    May 18, 2021 at 1:35 am

    Nothing calm about this! I can hear the shrieking from Bend!! Nice.

    Like

  3. rothpoetry says:
    May 18, 2021 at 1:52 am

    Great use of both meanings Sara! Well Done!

    Like

  4. msjadeli says:
    May 18, 2021 at 2:44 am

    i like your “in vivo” take on the word. i’m glad one of them knows what they are doing. you’ll probably keep your leg 🙂

    Like

  5. K.Hartless says:
    May 18, 2021 at 7:20 am

    What composure. Not so good with blood, so hope someone like this speaker is around to attend to my wounds.

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  6. lillian says:
    May 18, 2021 at 1:21 pm

    The short line length and pacing add to the emergency aspect of this! Well done!

    Like

  7. Ingrid says:
    May 18, 2021 at 3:37 pm

    These sounds like the words of a sensible person who can stay calm and level-headed in any crisis, including the threat of losing a leg!

    Like

  8. sanaarizvi says:
    May 18, 2021 at 8:46 pm

    This is absolutely stellar writing Sara- I could visualize the urgency.. the dressing of wounds.. it’s so important to stay calm at a time like this when life is hanging in the balance. 💝💝

    Like

  9. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) says:
    May 19, 2021 at 7:56 pm

    Sounds like you are on your way to be healed.
    Or maybe it’s like this from Out Out-

    He saw all spoiled. ‘Don’t let him cut my hand off—
    The doctor, when he comes. Don’t let him, sister!’
    So. But the hand was gone already.

    Like

  10. Grace says:
    May 20, 2021 at 9:26 pm

    Good presence of mind and emergency handling. Hope all is well.

    Like

Comments are closed.