Today’s challenge is to write a poem that plays with voice. For example, you might try writing a stanza that recounts something in the first-person, followed by a stanza recounting the same incident in the second-person, followed by a stanza that treats the incident from a third-person point of view. Or you might try a poem in the form of a dialogue, which necessarily has two “I” speakers, addressing two “you”s. Another way to go is to take an existing poem of yours or someone else’s, and try rewriting it in a different voice. The point is just to play with who is speaking to who and how.
I’m not sure how close I am to succeeding on this prompt but I enjoyed writing this poem and I hope you’ll enjoy reading it too.
Get your head-phones off, put off the T.V.
Stop talking. Why don’t you study?
I’ve repeated this oft so many,
Can you do your work more carefully?
Can you not see-
A few marks can make the difference between a grade “C” and a “B”?
There are barely-
Less than 30,
Days to the G.C.S.Es!
Mamma please, let me be,
You’re stressing me-
Totally,
Stop reminding me continuously,
Its’ driving me crazy.
Would you rather I cry or go weak in my knee?
It’s I, who must give the G.C.S.E.s
I wish you’d understand, if only…
I’m worried too, can’t you see?
Oh! I wish I did see,
But if you say so, then it makes me truly happy,
I said, as she looked at me unflinching… incredulously.
You care and therefore you worry,
I explained, matter-of-factly.
“Do you believe in me?” eyes wide, she looked beseechingly.
“I do,” I said my voice steady, reassuringly,
Covering shadows of doubt I had, if any,
And her smile reached her eyes, Bold and Ready!
For hadn’t they said,
“Behind every child who believes
Is a Parent who believed First”.
And hadn’t they also said,
“The four most powerful words
that one could tell a child,
are, I Believe in YOU.”
Copyright©, 2018. lifeateacher.wordpress.com. All Rights Reserved.
Oh this is simply fabulous and so powerful. Smitha you are just so talented. Your children are so lucky. You are a very good mother. Enjoy
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Wonderful write Smitha! Looks like you are completely bogged down with your kids’ exams 🙂 I am participating in NaPoWriMo too. See you often now!
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Thank you so much Vandana😊. Yes I am…going crazy😀. But writing this poem brought relief and brought things back into perspective. Oh wow! Will check out your site too. NaPoWriMo season is like friends coming home.
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I am sure! Like I always say, “Writing is therapeutic” 🙂 Glad to connect again!
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Me too😘😍
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Beautiful poem Smitha. So relevant to our times today. Your concluding verse is something which every parent must follow, to allow their children to blossom at their own pace!
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Thank you Radhika. Children teach so much. Just the question, ” Do you believe in me?” Shows they trust us and what we answer matters. That’s when all that is required is ” Yes I do”. No proof. Nothing. Love your comment. In these times, we need to be the anchor for them.
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Absolutely my thoughts!
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A very thoughtful post. You brought a great and an interesting topic through a poem.
I adore this. Being a mother is honestly, a fabulous and a remarkable job, the skills of which you don’t know unless you become one.
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Thank you so much Moushmi. Happy to see you here. Missed your comments. Being a mom is a 24×7 role and there’s so much we learn from children as well. And you’re so right only when you become one, you truly understand your mom. Thank you again. Am so happy you liked the poem. Xxx
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+++
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Awwww thank you soooooo much Smitha 🙂 A fab writer like you got inspired by my write….Oh god this means a lot to me, You just made my day 🙂 🙂 I am on cloud 9 right now 🙂 Thank you soooooo much 🙂 A big hug 🙂 Yuupppiieeeee (Jig – Pinching myself again 🙂
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😊 I could see the jig and you on cloud 9 for that’s where I went with your comment. Thanks Preethi for such a delightful comment. You are lovely❤ Hugs to you too😊
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Wooooow, Fab post Smitha 🙂 Awesome topic, beautiful message and you nailed the prompt Smitha 🙂 I soooo admire your write 🙂 Loved it 🙂 ❤
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Honestly Preethi had no clue how to go about it. Read your poem and understood. You were the Guru today:). Thank you so much for your comment. Makes me feel good. XXX
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