Palinode

A palinode is a poem in which the poet retracts, revises, or apologizes for something said in an earlier poem. It may withdraw a claim, change an opinion, or correct a harsh judgment, often in a self-conscious way that acknowledges the earlier piece.

Writers use a palinode to show second thoughts, irony, or a change of heart, and sometimes to argue against their own former words.

Example

Yesterday I swore the winter light was cruel,
all silver edges and a thief's cold hand;
today I stand corrected by the sun,
which warms the wall and softens where I stand.

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