Take Care

Posted on June 4, 2021 by purplepeninportland 
Written for:  dVerse Poets Pub
Meeting The Bar:  To turn again, about turn again
(posted by Laura Bloomsbury)

“It is often remarked that if you are to read or repeat a word continually in a short period of time it seems odd or loses its meaning or sense altogether.” (Leo Cookman) 1

"Thus, one use of repetition in poetry is to dislodge the reader from preconceived ideas and meanings in order to hear the words, as if for the first time. Other poets seek to add a touch of musicality, especially with reiterative sound devices such as assonance and alliteration. Whilst word repetition is a way of being emphatic, dramatic even, to let the reader really hear and consider what is being said. Or perhaps to restate a theme as with the use of a Chorus or merely to round up the poem."

"Epiphora, from the Greek ‘to turn about/upon’, is used:-

To drive home a point
To make the words “catchy” or memorable
To express a deeply held belief
To convey strong emotion
To create a regular rhyme scheme
   So today we shall write our poem using any style or meter as long as it contains:

1a. Epiphora (aka Epistrophe or Antistrophe). The end line repeats should for the most part be consecutive, although allowances are made for alternates as well as the use of the repeat word with variance. Employ repetitions with the maxim ‘ too often is too heavy’!


Walking down the street he takes care
by looking right and left and carefully
listening for sudden footsteps approaching.
Danger lurks 'round every corner.  He cares
about the world and its people, so care-worn
from battling senseless violence.
Why the proliferation of guns?  Don't people care
that death is all around them? That it could
be their daughter, son, mother, father, care-giver,
next? Why do guns remain on the street, easy to
purchase by felons, and the mentally ill not under care.
Too many memorials, and vigils–not enough caring.

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.
This entry was posted in Purple's Home. Bookmark the permalink.

15 Responses to Take Care

  1. lynn__ says:
    June 4, 2021 at 2:02 am

    Gun ownership is not just a right but a serious responsibility…you make your point well, Sara!

    Like

  2. areadingwriter says:
    June 4, 2021 at 7:31 am

    gah!! the soft “c” sound of care created a clarion call here. specially that last line.

    Like

  3. Laura Bloomsbury says:
    June 4, 2021 at 10:35 am

    a carefully constructed poem! with very good use of the epiphora – and the twists and turns on the word ‘care’ makes the repetitions easy on the tongue

    Like

  4. merrildsmith says:
    June 4, 2021 at 12:39 pm

    Very effective use of care and caring–and so true. Don’t people care?

    Like

  5. Ingrid says:
    June 4, 2021 at 3:27 pm

    I like the way you used different forms of the word ‘care’ to drive home your point. How many more deaths before people start to care?

    Like

  6. Helen Dehner says:
    June 4, 2021 at 8:41 pm

    Your poem reflects the reality of the growing number of gun violence incidents. So sad and overwhelming. A compelling poem, Sara.

    Like

  7. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) says:
    June 6, 2021 at 2:46 pm

    Any Freedom without caring for others is likely not proper freedom at all… a

    Like

Comments are closed.