This poem is a new form to me, a Gogyoshi. It is a modern Japanese form, with a title and exactly five free-verse lines. No rhyme schemes, line-length requirements, or syllable counts. The gogyoshi requires a title to frame the meaning.
The worst seems over. Left arm not really hurting at all, sacrum feels weird--I can sense the steroids moving up and down, some pressure, but not really pain.
Me, too! Now hoping to write another one. Short poems for a while, until I get my weeks ahead so I have time to edit, edit, edit, edit before they go live, and I have time for just this kind of nasty surprise. Pain seems much less. Forgot to take noon pain meds. Hoorah! Love to you both, Amrita
I really like how this form lets the ordinary details carry the whole poem. The rush of errands, the phone calls, and then that beautiful turn toward simply breathing in summer sunlight. “Still, still spread love” gives the piece such quiet strength. Thank you for introducing me to gogyoshi, Didi. ❤️
I, too, was just introduced to the form, and rather love it. It fits my deeply spare style. Thank you for noting the "that beautiful turn." I hope you, too, make use of gogyoshi.
Didi, then I will certainly try it. ❤️ I love the idea of a form that says so much without needing to say much. Perhaps you have given me another little door to open. Thank you, Didi. And yes, I will be looking at gogyoshi differently now.
I like it. And yes reading a few times - the thought came to mind that we have a choice, now, on all. I'm working on et that last line take up most of my time.
Amrita's Witness
To spread love is her calling, not
to defy or deny or rise above her burdens,
but to love, still love, from within and through, the cages of age
and breathe and shine as witness — for us
her tried and burnished love.
(Thank you for the introduction to this form. New to me, but its 'free form' appeals.)
Love it, Stephen! Hooray! I need to catch up on poems, so a form like this makes it easier....
And now you've written one on the spot! Bravo.
Yup! And going to write another—post-epidural, still riding the Versed. My love to you and Lou.
Prayers & love as you endure this pain somehow.
The worst seems over. Left arm not really hurting at all, sacrum feels weird--I can sense the steroids moving up and down, some pressure, but not really pain.
I like that Stephen's comment was one too!
Me, too! Now hoping to write another one. Short poems for a while, until I get my weeks ahead so I have time to edit, edit, edit, edit before they go live, and I have time for just this kind of nasty surprise. Pain seems much less. Forgot to take noon pain meds. Hoorah! Love to you both, Amrita
You're doing great!
I really like how this form lets the ordinary details carry the whole poem. The rush of errands, the phone calls, and then that beautiful turn toward simply breathing in summer sunlight. “Still, still spread love” gives the piece such quiet strength. Thank you for introducing me to gogyoshi, Didi. ❤️
My Choti,
I, too, was just introduced to the form, and rather love it. It fits my deeply spare style. Thank you for noting the "that beautiful turn." I hope you, too, make use of gogyoshi.
your Didi,
Amrita
Didi, then I will certainly try it. ❤️ I love the idea of a form that says so much without needing to say much. Perhaps you have given me another little door to open. Thank you, Didi. And yes, I will be looking at gogyoshi differently now.
I'm too tired to respond with more than a heart tonight. I apologize.
No apology, Didi. ❤️ The heart is more than enough. Rest well. Your Choti Bhai is here.
Another Little Door
another little door—
I thought I had finished learning
then Didi showed me five lines
and the ordinary became enough
perhaps I will enter quietly
Love this form! ❤️
True, true, dat
I really do love this poem! It sure does seem to fit with your powerful, spare writing. I also loved the turn. Well done’
Still, still spread love resonated with me. And you're great at that.
I like it. And yes reading a few times - the thought came to mind that we have a choice, now, on all. I'm working on et that last line take up most of my time.