Hello. It’s me—emmett.

In my first commentary I promised to explain why I do not capitalize the first letter in my first and last name. I do it as a way to remind myself I need to get better. While I have enjoyed much success, once I achieve “sufficient noteworthiness” as a poet, I’ll capitalize both letters. What does “sufficient noteworthiness” look like? Trust me, you’ll let me know.

Now—regarding craft. I came across a great word today. It’s the word “Conflation.” It’s an unusual word, a word I don’t imagine many of us use in our day to day conversations. I know I don’t. Here is its definition as defined by my favorite and frequently used online dictionary site. It means “To bring together: meld or fuse; to combine (two variant texts, for example) into one whole. I kid you not, boy did this thought intrigue me, and so I wrote and titled my current poem “Conflation”—something that’s quite personal, but liberating having written about both.

At times we as poets can be too linear in our writing. The symmetry leads in a direct line to a specific destination, often predictable even when abstract or metaphoric. Conflation is a great way to break out of that rut.

Listen, as a writing prompt here is what I’m asking you to do.

• Write a poem that is constructed using conflation. This means the poem must possess at least two different, wholly unrelated themes package together.
• To challenge you further, the two or more thematic aspects of the poem must be revealing about yourself.
• Also, for this writing prompt you are not permitted to use end-rhymes. I find to many times poets used contrived end-rhymes. By this I mean, just tagging at the end of the line a word that rhymes, and is one used so often I want to hurl.

I plan to write about “Enjambment” for my next commentary, so this request is a precursor to where I want to go next with my dVerse commentary about craft.

I look forward to reading as many of your works as I can. Happy writing!

here’s how it works…

• Write your poem
• Post it on your blog
• Click the Mr. Linky button below, and in the new window that opens up input your name and direct url of the poem.
• Visit others who have taken the challenge.
• Have fun..!