Sotto Poet Poet Other

Pendulum - Ups and Downs

Written: February 24, 2025 For Brian Strand Contest

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A lifetime swings good, bad, and back
Toil shows us what we lack.
Brave lessons learned
hard earned,
grasped by
how high we fly,
determined by the will
to work, whatever sweat we spill.


Note: Pendulum is an invented verse form with graduated line lengths.  Etta J Murphy created it and it first appeared in Calkins' Haiku Highlights (July-August 1970). The  Pendulum is an 8-line poem with a syllable count of 8/6/4/2/2/4/6/8.
         Rhyme scheme: aabbccdd.

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Duke Beaufort March 3, 2025 at 5:44 PM SP, great message with this poem. I think you explain what we all need to know...that we learn by trying and doing and that all our efforts may lead to various results depending on the skill and effort we can exert. I understand after my periodic (6 month) visit with my GP, I have a stable slightly manic condition This results, in part from reading your work. It does make me smile. I only wish more people would take time to fathom much of the work posted here. For example, I could see DT and EM deriving some benefit from your work. LOL!!!

Shadow Hamilton February 25, 2025 at 3:38 PM I like the form Sotto new one to me as usual it is excellent your talent has no bounds hugs Shadow

Terrell Martin February 25, 2025 at 11:16 AM Another interesting form, rhyme scheme & syllable count I wasn't familiar with until now. I really like this form and the imagery, imagination and philosophical thought you've come up with are (to borrow a frequently used British phrase: "Brilliant Old Chap!) Well done, Sir Sotto

Paula Goldsmith February 25, 2025 at 9:41 AM What a creative write you have here. I really enjoyed reading a shorter write from you. "Great Job" A winner for me. "Good Luck" in the contest... Have a blessed day writing away.....................

Arthur Vaso February 24, 2025 at 9:52 PM well written,enjoyed.

Ink Empress February 24, 2025 at 9:11 PM A very powerful poem this is, iv never heard of this form and sounds like a tough one as we need to rhyme too and im not a fan of rhymes, because i have to use my brain for that. However you seem to have done an amazing job with this poem, and it flows so well and it emanates an uplifting message to the readers, to keep striving and thriving amidst the challenges life throws at us, as life isnt always all good or all bad! Pleasure reading your work today: sending you light always