John Watt Poet Rhyme

Notes About The Poem

The Great Outdoors - Constanza

The great outdoors affords the chance
   to stretch my limbs, let down my guard,
   put up a hammock in the yard.

In summertime to leave the manse
   feels good with grass under bare toes.
   Inhale the jasmine and the rose,

and savor sights of happenstance:
   to spot a squirrel, croaking toad,
   or doe and fawn crossing the road.

On mountaintops I do a dance
   of triumph after a hard hike
   and bask in breezes on my bike,

then waltz my bride in summer's trance
   as strains of 'Blue Danube' tiptoe
   through memories of long ago.

The great outdoors affords the chance
  in summertime, to leave the manse
  and savor sights of happenstance.
  On mountaintops I do a dance
  then waltz my bride in summer's trance.


Constanza
Created by Soup's own Connie Marcum Wong, a Constanza consists of 3-line stanzas of 8-syllable lines, where the first lines of each stanza are monorhymed and combined to form the final stanza. The remaining lines of each stanza are rhymed couplets.

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Andrea Dietrich September 6, 2020 at 3:06 PM wow, you did SO well with your second constanza. You have GOT it DOWN, John. BIG congrats here.

Joseph May September 6, 2020 at 10:54 AM Wonderful write John, Congrats on your win..

Connie Marcum Wong September 6, 2020 at 12:15 AM Kudos for your winning placement John. "as strains of 'Blue Danube' tiptoe through memories of long ago." I love these lines my friend. I am so happy this poem is high on the list. It is a beauty! Blessings connie John Watt September 6, 2020 at 11:16 AM This comment means so much to me Connie, because this is your form, and because kind words are like honey — sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. Grace and peace to you today ~ John

Sam Kauffman September 5, 2020 at 9:53 PM Love the hammock in the outfield! Great visual among so many great visual images, my friend. Love the feeling of serendipity! Wonderful constanza! Congrats and kudos on your win! BTW - manse is a great word! John Watt September 6, 2020 at 11:18 AM Thank you so much for your poetic enthusiasm and friendly kindness. Not a week goes by that I don't thank God for your friendship and poetic talents, Sam. God bless you!

Gordon Mcconnell August 4, 2020 at 12:37 PM Lovely penned piece John, with good imagery and insightful thought and lovely rhyme. Trust the family are all well, !keep safe, Blessings always,Gordon John Watt August 4, 2020 at 4:29 PM Thank you my dear friend!

Connie Marcum Wong August 2, 2020 at 8:29 AM I love this beautiful romantic constanza John. It is written to perfection. Blessings xxoo John Watt August 4, 2020 at 4:29 PM Such kind words you grace me with, Connie. I know this isn't the only form you invented, but it is the one I'm most familiar with and love the structure and the opportunities it presents. Your comment means a lot to me.

Andrea Dietrich July 31, 2020 at 1:23 PM Is this your very first one? If so, you did a wonderful job of it, my friend. Connie should be so pleased when she sees the winners' list because hopefully this one will be on it! (by the way, did you hear Connie's husband just passed away recently in his sleep?) Thought I would let you know in case you had not heard. John Watt July 31, 2020 at 3:54 PM This is actually my second, I did one last week for Emile's lipogram contest. Thanks for the uplifting words. And yes, I just read about Connie's husband while reading her POTD comments.

Krish Radhakrishna July 30, 2020 at 1:14 PM Brilliant Constanza!!I did not attempt because I was not sure if I could create something worthwhile! Yours is a superb example of how it should be done!!! All the best in the contest!! John Watt July 30, 2020 at 1:25 PM Thank you Krish. I resisted for a while too, just wasn't feeling it. Think about something you really love doing and the words start to flow, for me anyway! Have a great day!

Vijay Pandit July 30, 2020 at 10:11 AM A wonderful celebration of nature, John--a lovely write. John Watt July 30, 2020 at 10:19 AM Thank you, Vijay. I sure enjoyed your constanza potd today ~ John

Anne-Lise Andresen July 30, 2020 at 9:36 AM - Nature experiences are becoming more and more important in today's society - A beautiful poem, John :) - Best winner wishes to you :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :) John Watt July 30, 2020 at 10:19 AM Thank you for the uplifting words, Anne-Lise. The outdoors provides a good reset button for the turmoil. Hugs ~ John

Alexis Y. July 30, 2020 at 6:24 AM WoW! John, I really enjoy the outdoors! This poems reminds me of why I like the outdoors so much. Great job. I wish you the best of luck in the contest. Have a great day:/) Alexis John Watt July 30, 2020 at 8:34 AM Glad to know we are wired alike, Alexis. I'm happy you came by and blessed me with your words. Nice to see you again ~ John

Tom Cunningham July 30, 2020 at 5:04 AM There is nothing more satisfying than the great outdoors and being at one with nature. Well composed verse John and good luck in the contest. Tom John Watt July 30, 2020 at 8:32 AM Agree fully with you, Tom. There is a medicine that can't be contained in a tablet that comes from exerting and breathing in fresh air and seeing amazing scenery that resets the soul, strengthens the body, and feeds the spirit. Thanks for your kind visit. ~ John

Jan Allison July 30, 2020 at 12:05 AM what a charming constanza i hope you dance yourself into a top spot. we have been so lucky to be able to get out into the countryside around us during the lockdown period, hope all is good with you:-) hugs jan xx John Watt July 30, 2020 at 8:31 AM Thank you very much, my friend! I've been wanting to connect with an email, but my server is down. Glad to know you have been enjoying the great outdoors that we both love so much. Hugs ~ John

Carolyn Devonshire July 29, 2020 at 2:32 PM Look at all the things you can still do during a pandemic, John. I especially love the sensation of grass beneath your toes. So much to be thankful for when we turn our eyes to "The Great Outdoors." Best wishes in the contest with this masterpiece of imagery. Hugs, Carolyn John Watt July 29, 2020 at 2:48 PM Bless you for your generous outlay of kind words today, Caroline. You are right about the many opportunities the pandemic has not deprived us of. The outdoors is good medicine!