Nonetheless, our optional prompt for today (developed by Rachel McKibbens, who is well-known for her imaginative and inspiring prompts) plays on the idea of stealing. Today, I challenge you to write a non-apology for the things you’ve stolen. Maybe it’s something as small as your sister’s hairbrush (or maybe it was your sister’s boyfriend!) Regardless, I hope this sly prompt generates some provocative verse for you.
Dear sis, I love you so
I want you to know
This is not an apology- let me be clear
How do I say it? It’s a mere-
‘Baring of the heart’
So we can make a fresh start
When you were eight and I was five
You remember Sara, you loved her like she was alive
I took her and broke her right eye
I couldn’t tell you when I saw you cry
I wouldn’t call it stealing, would you?
‘Coz in Sara’s place, you got a ‘Peaches n Pink’ Barbie – all brand new!
When you were thirteen and I was ten
You remember how I struggled with my studies back then
I needed mom’s help, I took all her time
Your share of it too
I wouldn’t call it stealing, would you?
‘Coz it allowed you to get away, doing the things you wanted to
When you were sixteen and I was thirteen
You remember how you dressed up as a queen
We had a celebration and I got all the attention
For making an exception
I wouldn’t call it stealing would you?
Because you were smart and I was not- you knew
Dear Sis, I love you so
So I thought you should know
This is not an apology
There’s no need for one, I’m sure you agree
It’s called ‘baring of the heart’
So we can make a fresh start
Dear sis, I love you so
Let’s hug and makeup; now that you know
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P.C. From the Net
Today, our poetry resource is the archives of The Found Poetry Review. During its five years of operation, this journal specialized in publishing poems that were “found,” rather than written. What does that mean? Well, it means poems collaged from existing language, rather than newly created from scratch. A sort of borrowing from the universe.
There’s a pithy phrase attributed to T.S. Eliot: “Good poets borrow; great poets steal.” (He actually said something a bit different, and phrased it a bit more pompously – after all, this is T.S. Eliot we’re talking about).
Ahhh the typical sisters relationship articulated well in your beautiful verses.
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Beautiful. Made me cry xxxx
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Thank you so much Melanie for stopping over and for your kind words. So glad it touched you. Xxx
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Witty it is, yet a cute poem for your sister. I am sure apology or “forgiveness” is out of question here. Hope this will make your sister smile and “laugh” as well. It did make me chuckle.. 🙂
Thank you Madam for sharing yet another fantastic poem.. 🙂
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Thanks Abirbhav🙂. It’s not really me and my sister. It’s a mix of 3 generations of sisters in my family. So glad you enjoyed reading it. It was fun writing it.
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Wow..!! That’s great Madam..!! ☺️☺️
You are welcome.. It’s a pleasure reading your posts.. ☺️
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So cute! Love the way you’ve articulated these loving thoughts Smitha.
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Thank you so much Balroop ji🙂. I enjoyed writing it. I had been meaning to ask you about the book review on goodreads and Amazon, do I paste just a few lines out of the entire post?
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Just post your opinion. People do post the excerpts they liked but please limit it to one or two.
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