Manicddaily, a/k/a, Karin Gustafson, here to remind you that tomorrow is February 2, celebrated as “Groundhog Day”, in some parts of the world. (Tomorrow is also the celebration of some other event here in the U.S., which my husband tells me is important, but of which I have no personal knowledge.)
I am guessing that many of you have seen the wonderful movie, Ground Hog Day, with Bill Murray and Andie McDowell. In the movie, Murray, a rather self-centered TV weatherman, gets stuck in a time loop in the small town in Pennsylvania that his crew has visited because of its celebrated (i.e. openly visible) ground hog. Murry re-lives his February 2 again and again until after much sturm, drang, Sonny and Cher, and ground hog carnage, he arrives at redemption, release, and, of course, true love.
I had a sense of deja vue vaguely like Bill Murray’s, but without the Sonny and Cher, when I agreed to this date for a prompt. Why? I did the dVerse poetics prompt last Ground Hog’s day! (I am running one of last year’s photos because it was super cute and my poor dog Pearl, posing as ground hog below, is no longer with me.)
Which brings me to today’s prompt: repetition! Doing or saying something again and again. Trying to reinforce it. Trying to get it right. Stuck with it or relishing it, glorying in it or just plain old broken-recording it.
Repetition is an age-old poetic tool. Various poetic forms, such as the villanelle or the sestina, rely on repeated lines or words. However, repetition has great rhetorical force in poetry even outside of a traditional verse form. I think, for example, of Allan Ginsberg’s “Howl”, which opens nearly every line of its Part I with an urgent “who” and many of the lines of its Part II with “Moloch.”
Aside from its value as a rhetorical device, repetition is an interesting poetic theme simply because it is such an important aspect of human endeavor. Humans seem biologically drawn to the familiar–they espouse routines, adore rituals, crave the comfort of favorites.
On the negative side, humans (and animals too for that matter) readily get stuck in grooves; they have a hard time learning emotional lessons first time through; they sometimes opt for familiar pain rather than unfamiliar growth. They can be alternatively strengthened or defeated by habitual patterns.
In thinking of repetition, I recalled a style of yoga I practiced for many many years, called Astanga. In this practice, I did the same series of exercises in the same order for the same number of breaths, six days of every week. The idea was that by focusing on these same exercises, you could reduce distraction–all that fluster about what strange pose to do next—and focus on the basic movement of breath and energy. Through repetition, it was thought, a kind of magic could arise. Of course, so could various stress injuries. Still, it was a tremendously fulfilling practice–when you did the same series of poses every day, you became intensely conscious of the small (and sometimes large) differences each day brings=the “same old/same old” accentuating what was endlessly changing.
So, Poets, your prompt is–
So, Poets your prompt is–
Um—–Repetition–in whatever form form form that may arise. (And hopefully, there will also be some magic.)
Re other inspiration—I am not posting the texts “repetition” poems out of copyright concerns–but here’s one I found especially apt–“Daily Life” by Susan Wood. Also, if you are interested in repetition in poetry as a poetic device, please check out this previous dVerse article “Say it Again, Sam” by Hedgewitch, Joy Ann Jones.)
Finally, do check out the poems of your fellow poets! That’s a way to really make magic arise.
If this is your first time here—this is how it works:
- Write a poem (somehow thinking about repetition) and post it to your webpage
- Click on Mr. Linky below and enter your name and the direct url to your poem.
- Visit other poets that have joined in and comment, letting them know what you liked about their story. Note that this is an integral part of performance–being an appreciative audience.
- Promote yourself on social media. If you use @dversepoets we will find you and be able to promote you as well.
- Have fun.
Finally finally–if you have any time left over, check out my books! 1 Mississippi, Going on Somewhere and Nose Dive! Also, all the drawings and photos posted here are mine–all rights reserved.
Hi All! I am as always a bit behind so haven’t gotten my own poem up but I’m happy to visit yours! Hope all is well for everyone on this grey Saturday–and hope it is blue where you are! k.
happy saturday k.
Hey Claudia!
I love repetition. It makes a poem sound more musical and lyrical. One of the very first poems I posted on my blog was an anaphora poem, which uses a repeating refrain. Wonderful post and thank you for the prompt, Karin! Enjoyed writing a new poem for it. I love the movie, too, so hilarious. I’ve watched it several times, like deja vu all over again. Smiles 🙂
i too love the musicality of repetition…like in a song..
Thanks, Loredana. k.
hey k…
on the road and still about 80 miles from home…been on a day trip with the fam…
i will catch up with those visiting when i get home….
this is fun….repetition is a cool tool when used effectively….groundhog day is a hillarious movie…
grace, sorry i got your msg late, but got you tagged in…
Have a safe trip, Brian. k.
most def….back to the road now…catch up in a bit…
have a safe trip bri
home.
No worries Brian ~ I’m in, smiles ~
smiles..i remember that pic with pearl…love it… and i agree…repetition is an excellent poetic tool…the villanelle was always my fav form poetry form… happy saturday everyone and out on the trail to read…
Nice intro, Karin. I often do tend to use some repetition in my poetry…as sometimes it drives a point home. I enjoyed your article & this prompt today. Thank you.
Thank you, Mary. k.
Hi Karin, repetition is one of my favorite tools.. But today I thought of when not to use repetition. I’m at a dinner with friends so I will get around to the poems later.
have fun at the dinner björn and you made a good point in your poem
A good choice, Bjorn! k.
Repetition often plays a vital role in my works. Thanks Karin for animating this prompt.
You are very welcome, Kelvin. Hope all okay. k.
yes, Karin. i am ok. thanks!
How ironic you had Poetics last year on Groundhog Day, too. I’m glad you reposted the pic of your late dog (sorry about losing him). Thanks for a great prompt, Karin.
Thank you, Laurie–and thanks for fun poem. k.
What interesting drawings.
I like small routines during the day; the way I make coffee or tea, walks through the village. And as a weaver, throwing the shuttle from side to side certainly gets repeated a few hundred thousand times 🙂
It was nice to have a chance to showcase my craft. Thank you.
i so enjoyed both hanna…your poem and the glimpse into your craft… wonderful work
Just lovely, Hanna. k.
Repetition is common and popular as well – but how you talk through is so much fun and lovable. Looking forward to join and read how everyone is dealing with the subject.
Thank you, Abhra.
Oh! Nice to know your name as well – we spoke in blog comments of some of my old writings, I have been a follower of yours since then 🙂
Thank you, Abhra. k.
Can’t resist this one, Karin, being seemingly stuck in a perpetual loop on some things myself. I adore the photos and drawings, especially the elephant of an unknown team. (!) I laughed out loud several times reading this. Also appreciate your share of the Wood poem; it was excellent. Thanks for referencing my old article also. I will have something up for you shortly.
hey you….smiles….made my day seeing your head pop in….
My pleasure, bri–always good to swing by the pub on a cold wintry day (here anyway) for some hot word punch.
Thanks for joining in. I have been very distracted myself with something that came up since prompting but I hope to get mine up soon. Thanks also for checking out the Wood poem. I ran into several but that one seemed to fit so well. And thanks for the link to your wonderful post re Say it Again, Sam. k.
You’re very welcome. I loved yours, k. and loved the prompt as well. Thanks for both.
Finished reading the works of my friends. Now please owe me sometime for i’m about to leave to do some laundry (aww). That’s actually the main reason why i woke up early—to kill a mountain high of dirty clothes. Will be back after. Smiles. Now off to the main goal!
Too early a morning Kelvin ~ Smiles ~
ha. good luck with the laundry kelvin…i will be working on some tomorrow…
I do like the technique of repetition ~ For this prompt though, I went for the imagery ~ Thanks for pictures & prompt K ~ Snowing here non-stop ~ Happy Saturday to all ~
Ha. My husband is jealous. He is a skier -and snow is on our minds nonstop!
k.
they say we will get snow again monday…
could make for a very interesting week…
piles of snow here will make a good playground for the kids tomorrow ~
but its not fun shoveling though ~
Love the movie, love the prompt. It led me to a bit of humor for a change…how repetition fits in? I hope it works.
I’m sure it will – I have one thing to finish up for a family member and then will be back on trail! k.
Thanks, Victoria – a lot of fun. k.
So glad I could swing by dverse tonight….the prompt was right on for the painting/poem I posted last night– repetition and change as a way of understanding ourselves in this world. Thanks for hosting ~peace, Jason
PS…adding a link back right now 🙂
Great – thanks!
Adore the animals doing yoga art ♥ You brought up several things for me at once. Feeling safe to let my weirdness flow.
flow on maggie…smiles….
Ha! The elephants are not strangers to wierdness! Thanks, Maggie. k .
Nice to be back at deverse. I have missed reading poetry as well as writing it. I always liked the use of repetition, the writing really stays with one. Hope everyone enjoys their weekend.
its been a good one….we went on a day trip today ourselves…it was almost 60 for a change…was nice to be out….
Hi Lisa–welcome back! Thanks. k.
Loved the movie and love the prompt too – the prompt a gift for words already written. Have a good weekend Karin.
Anna :o]
Thank you, you too, Anna! Thanks for participating with your fine poem.
So I am up at last ! Sorry for delays! Thanks all for participating. I will probably take a little computer break for a while, but I so appreciate your kind words and participating and visiting of others! k.
glad you made it k….
and i like how you creatively used the repetition in your poem…
enjoy the break…
i will be around
for those that are visiting…
I like your elephant yoga, k…..thanks for the prompt and have a good weekend!
Thanks so much! You too! k.
you got something for us tonight kkkaty?
your drawings bring levity, karin. this is a great great prompt. I will look through for a repost. I enjoyed reading Wood and have coincidentally been thinking about repetition lately.
Thanks so much, Jane. I look forward to a repost – yours are all wonderful–or to something new. Take care, k.
This is a marvelous topic, Karin, and I always love your art–and seeing dear Pearl again. ~sniff~
It took me about a minute of puzzling to figure out what other special day Feb. 2nd is. The Super Bore! Wake me when it’s over. Back to interesting things like your prompt!
Ha! I am laughing, Shay. I have to admit I don’t pay any attention to football myself. But I do understand that a great many chicken wings are probably being cooked right now. (I’m vegetarian too–so a bit out of the mix.) Thanks for your sympathy re little Pearl. I miss her so much though she had gotten so teribly old. Congrats on your new book! k.
Pardon me, k or Bri or C, is there a way to remove/correct my error in posting?..the second one is today’s, the previous Thursday’s…just saying…thanks Katy
will fix it…
Firstly R.I.P Pearl secondly love this idea and prompt. Love this idea and prompt..oh I already said that… Thanks Manic looking forward to it.
Ha! And I look forward to your poem! Thanks Mum! k.
I’ll try to have something for this great prompt by Open Mic, k. I am a bit under the weather today.
Hope you feel better soon, Susan. k.
sorry to hear that susan…i hope you get well soon….
Rest. Sending light.
I re-posted something I wrote last year for dverse. It is a busy weekend but I will see if I can come up with something else.
No worries. Thanks for participating, Ros. K.
I think I have visited everyone, but I’ve missed you, please let me know. K.
It’s been a while & I’m late but here I am with a new poem… Great prompt, K
Thanks, Ruth. I much enjoyed your poem. Thanks for joining in. k.
happy week, everyone! i’ll be back in just a bit to visit.
♥
dani!!!
I may have taken the prompt too literally but liked the process and your intro.
and you nailed it….strong poem.
Yes, very powerful. Hope all well, Mary. k.
Hi Karin…so nice to see you here and your charming illustrations. Sorry that Pearl is no longer with you… she made an adorable stand-in for a groundhog. I just made it in time. Was out of town too and just came up with an idea to write. Hope it is close enough to your prompt.
Missed the Mr. Linky by three hours and it happens often i’m afraid! Here it the link for the poetics repetition: http://bastetandsekhmet.wordpress.com/2014/02/03/questions-dverse-poetics/
you can drop it at OLN…or i am sure if you visit others there are many that will return
Sure there are too….and that is what I’ll be doing later this afternoon! 🙂
cool…i enjoyed your piece….
🙂
Well, here I am again, K. I fell on this day, Saturday, and it’s now Tuesday. Today I reread this (repetition) and realized how funny and intriguing your essay is. What a writer! One of my favorite repetitions is rereading novels and movies and places and poems. And I have visited NONE of the poems this prompt inspired. I have lots of catching up to do. That’s another repetition, falling, falling behind, getting up, catching up. I knew if I came here and wrote I’d develop an idea for a poem. I love the prompt, the pics, all of the words.