The box presents its mystery—
We open hoping we may see
What’s hidden, true or otherwise,
Disguised by sides of secrecy.
And so
Disguised by sides of secrecy.
What’s hidden, true or otherwise,
We open hoping we may see—
The box presents its mystery.
Text: Linked to dVerse Quadrille hosted by De Jackson (WhimsyGizmo) with the prompt word “Box”. The poem is a kind of “reverse” poem. Some of its lines, but not necessarily all of them, are repeated in reverse order. I will be featuring this form on Thursday at dVerse.
Photos: “Skyscape”, above, “White Blossoms White Clouds”, below. Think of them as boxed in by the cloudy sky.
Oh, my, Frank. This is that voodoo that you do…crafting a piece of exactly 44 words, and somehow ninja-boxing all kinds of other tricks in there, too. Rhyme. Rhythm. Form. Goodness. Well done, Sir.
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Thank you, De!
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Nice one, Frank. It’s like walking backwards. Very clever and satisfying.
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I think the form is supposed to remind you of walking backwards, retracing a path and perhaps starting again. Thank you, Jane!
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That’s certainly how it reads 🙂
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The mystery of a box – cats and children know about these things!
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They are fascinated by boxes. Thank you, Kim!
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I bow to a master Frank. Not only is this very good, and clever, and perfect in execution, but the photos are also magnificent. Thank you for making my day better!
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I am glad you liked them. Thank you, Peter!
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Very clever Frank. I like how this unfolds – feels just like opening a mysterious box.
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Thank you, V.J.!
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Yes, the accolades pile up celebrating your cleverness and creativity. Your form resembles several classic ones; bravo.
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Thank you, Glenn!
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I love the form, photos and theme of mysterious box. I so look forward to Thursday’s session.
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Thank you for the idea, Grace!
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Clever – very well done!
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Thank you, Jo!
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I love your photo. Your poem is most excellent. A wonder of a form!
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Thank you, Toni!
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Nice Frank. An interesting form of poetry! I love the subtle meanings in your poem.
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I am glad you liked it. Thank you, Dwight!
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This made me think of opening a box of secrets and closing it quickly because we didn’t like what we saw…better left a mystery. Wonderful, Frank.
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Some things are best left a mystery. Thank you, Mish!
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I love that your second half of the poem reflects the first half. I’m always impressed that you can make your quadrilles have a consistent meter and rhyme.
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I try to keep the meter regular. I figure if the poem doesn’t make much sense there may be benefit in the sound. Thank you!
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This is so clever! Like a mirrored response of one to the other.
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Thank you, Mary!
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How interesting and great reading this. You are very creative Frank.
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Thank you, Hélène!
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1 on the clever; not palindromic but witty. Look forward to Thursday’s prompt.
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A palindrome would be very difficult. Each of the lines just have to be reversed as they are. Thank you, Peter!
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I don,t like to be in a box. I free myself.
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Me, too. Thank you, Shalilah!
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Whoaa this is freaking brilliant! ❤ I love how this unfurls like opening of a box.
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Thank you, Sanaa!
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Great! Is there a name for this format?
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It is called a “reverse poem” because the lines are repeated but in reverse. I just heard about them a week ago. Thank you, Reena!
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Thanks. I learnt a new format.
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A clever form carrying a deep message! Salute!
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Thank you!
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I agree with Jane Dougherty. Very clever and satisfying.
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Thank you, Terre!
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I like this one. A mystery indeed 🙂
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Thank you, Suzanne!
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A great reverse poem…it makes sense read either way. My fav bit ‘Disguised by sides of secrecy’
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I am glad you liked that line. Thank you, Vivian!
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😊
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This is one quite quadrille. I couldn’t 44 words could look so cute. Luv the message
much love…
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Thank you, Gillena!
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you poem is like an open box with lid that fits exactly
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Thank you, Laura!
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A poem in reverse…….quite a feat and you’ve done it well, and used it for the quadrille. Kudos!
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Thank you, Lillian!
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How fun this box!!
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Thank you, Annell!
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Very melodic. Melodies like this also carry mysteries. Nice!
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Thank you!
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Very clever, Frank. Thursday’s prompt should be interesting.
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I am still struggling with these reverse poems. They are harder than I realized. Thank you, Merril!
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Beautiful, Frank and a lovely form.
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Thank you, Jay!
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Poem opens and closes like mirror box…box mirror closes and opens poem!
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It is like a mirror box. Thank you, Lynn!
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My hat is off to you, Frank! Mirror poems are difficult, and with a limited word count, you did a splendid job of it.
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I find them difficult. Thank you, Sara!
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Very nice quadrille.
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Thank you, Maria!
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The backward walk presents a different view with the same words. I like how first the poet just wants to see what is in the box, but later wants to see the concept that boxes hold a mystery. Really enjoyed this.
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Thank you, Lona! I am still trying to get a sense of how to make these reverse poems work.
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start at the top, put the gear in neutral, glide to the bottom and up the next side, and see where it settles. 😉 but then I am not much of a physicist, so I don’t know if my advice will get you back to where you started as elegantly as you did in your poem. 😉 Be well Frank.
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Whoa! What is that called, a flip?That worked out so wel! Nice work Frank😊
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It is kind of a flip. I plan to try a few more of these. Thank you!
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Did you make that up, or is that a thing?
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I didn’t make up the reverse poem. People write these things and call them “reverse poems”. However, I didn’t know they existed until last week when Grace pointed them out to me.
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Aw! Ok. They sure do look like fun. Thanks for the info. Have a good weekend.
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Country Roads oPen WHoLE
Tree Side Leaves
Paths
unTouched
BRanches out
Land Scapes
Still so
Far
Beyond
Screams of Screens..:)
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I like the phrase “Screams of Screens”. Trying to make sense out of it, but that may not be necessary. Just dance on. Thank you, Fred!
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Dance Clears mY
Mind Up ForMe..:)
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