Playing with a Pantoum

A newly shaped poem is composed Of themes both rare and common. The poet’s thoughts, it is supposed Will flow to paper without caution. Of themes both rare and common- Candid expressions, as pebbles upon the water hurled, Will flow to paper without caution. Unstructured elements mingled together in a whirl. Candid expressions, like pebbles on the water hurled, First ideas spill forth uncurbed. Unstructured elements mingled together in a whirl Wildly unreasonable, ludicrous, even absurd. First ideas spill forth uncurbed A tumult of hysteria, an outburst of facts and fantasy Wildly unreasonable, ludicrous, even absurd, Until (like magic) the figment’s purpose becomes reality. A tumult of hysteria, an outburst of facts and fantasy, The dreamer slows her crazed word play, Until (like magic) the figment’s purpose becomes reality And the poet’s whimsies an elemental form displays. The dreamer slows her crazed word play. The hard work now begins. And the poet’s whimsies an elemental form displays, Time to focus on imagery, sound, and rhythm. The hard work now begins. From the jumble, selected words must “pack a punch.” Focus on imagery, sound, and rhythm, Tone, diction, and structure -must consider much. From the jumble, selected words must “pack a punch.” A newly shaped poem is composed. Tone, diction, and structure -must consider much. Intentional placements- lines and phrases transposed. It’s been an entertaining afternoon Playing with a Pantoum Michelle Waters Nov. 27, 2023