Scars are souvenirs you never lose,
the past is never far.
– GooGoo Dolls
Hey, gang. De (WhimsyGizmo) here, and it’s time again for the Quadrille, when we write a poem of exactly 44 words, including a specific word provided. Today, I’d like you to play with the word scar.
“I have walked a stair of swords,
I have worn a coat of scars.
I have vowed with hollow words,
I have lied my way to the stars.
-Songs of Sapphique” ― Catherine Fisher, Incarceron
No scars to your beautiful,
we’re stars and we’re beautiful
– Alessia Cara
Use it as a verb, noun, or adjective (scarred). Go deep and dark with it, or lighten it up with a little word play or a hyphen:
scar-let becomes a color
scar-city becomes something else entirely
Play with parentheses:
scar(f)
scar(e)
to give it a double meaning.
Use any tense or variation you like: scar, scarred, scarring, scars
Maybe the crescent moon is scarring the sky. Maybe you wrap yourself in your most familiar scar(f) before heading out into the cold. Maybe your scars are so vast and deep, they have become distant stars.
Play around with it, and have some fun. Just make sure to include some variation of the word scar, and write a poem that is exactly 44 words long (not including the title.)
New to the Q? Here’s how to play:
– Write a poem of exactly 44 words, including the word scar (or some variation therein).
– Put your poem on your blog and link back to this post.
– Link it up to our Mr. Linky.
– Visit other blogs. Enjoy some amazing poets. Comment. Come back later this week and write another one, and visit some more. Comment some more. The Quadrille is open all week!
dVerse 
I never used mascara… but that could work as well… love the choice of word… Trying to write a second with all the words.
Mine with all the words is written…will post later, after others have had the chance to post.
I like the possibilities of “mascara.” Clever.
(I see mask.scar.ah.)
mask scars
mascara
scare
Hey, gang! I’m so happy you’re here!
I love this quote about scars by our very own Toni, and wanted to share it with you:
“Actually, scar can be light in nature…lije the scar that proclaims me a cancer survivor or the scars on trees that used to act as trailblazers leading early settlers through the forest.”
Whatever you write about today (Harry Potter and his lighting bolt, the crescent moon a childhood bully left you with), whether you take it dark and deep, or keep it light, I hope it brings you healing, and joy.
For those of you who want an added challenge (and to do a second Quadrille), we are up to 22 words now, HALF the words required for the whole poem. Your challenge is to use all 22 words so far {dance, lull, bubble, grin, melt, shimmer, twist, skip, green, breeze, spill, rose, journey, jar, leaves, open, shadow, cloud, spark, cue, breath(e), scar} in a poem that still makes sense, adding only 22 words of your own. 😉
Happy Poeming, my amazing friends.
I think scars can be something that we can wear with pride,…. but they can be heavy to carry too.
YES. Marks of survival…reminders of pain.
Oh my….will try this later tonight! A sudoku challenge in 44 words 🙂
🙂 Can’t wait, Lill! You sure are on fire, for somebody who just got home from a long trip! Love it!
okay….somehow I forgot how to make the heart emoji….so just pretend there’s a heart here in reply! 🙂
This: <
plus this: 3
🙂
❤
Hey, scar-let is my other favorite word ~
Another challenging quadrille De ~ Thanks for hosting ~
My pleasure, Grace. 🙂 I do hope someone runs with “scar-let” – such a rich color, full of inspiration.
Thanks for hosting, De, and for this thought-provoking prompt! I’ve read some amazing responses already and will be back to read more!
Welcome, Crystal! So good to see you here!
A terrific prompt, De–a fitting foray back into poetics post road trip; like Lillian, I’ve been traveling across the Southwest, outrunning ice & snow, arriving home just in time before it snowed here.
Love to have you here Glenn… so great to find you rejuvenated.
Awesome, Glenn! Were you in my neck of the woods at all? (Southern Nevada, near Las Vegas?) It’s been CHILLY here!
So you’re an outrunner? 🙂
Hello everyone!!!! I am back and thrilled to be back after our amazing 40 day journey which included Singapore, Bali, Australia and New Zealand. Missed all of you! So — my poem addresses some of what I learned in Australia and New Zealand about those two country’s history — and the history of the US as well. As usuall, I’ll be back in the AM with a nice cup of hot coffee to do my reading….although, I might get to some tonight. I’m afraid jet lag is taking its toll — just got home night of December 2nd….alhough we left Sydney the morning of December 2nd for a 14+ hour flight, long layover in San Francisco and then a 5 hour flight from San Fran to Boston. So, it’s tomorrow in Sydney right now and my body doesn’t have any idea what present tense means anymore 🙂 BUT — I am thrilled to be back to the dVerse community!
Jetlagged… does that mean very early mornings for you now?
Well — last night I hit the sack at 11 PM — was up from 2 to 5 AM and then slept till 10. Who knows? I’m hoping to be back to “normal” tomorrow which would mean coffee and reading at about 6 AM our time. I’m going to try! Still in midst of laundry and sorting mail!
Welcome home, Lillian! ❤
Home sweet home…..dVerse sweet dVerse!
Welcome back Lillian. 🙂
By the way, I am pouring Scarface cocktails (who knew that was a thing?) and scarlet lemonade with cherries today. And if it’s cold in your neck of the woods, tiramisu hot cocoa with a hint of mascarpone. 🙂
Cheers!
Scary…
Scaramanga’s car
Scarcely scares mr bond
Four times in six words. 38 more to go… 🙂
Impressive— not scarce with scars
Oh, erbiage. I see a gauntlet being thrown down. 😉 Love it.
Soon bedtime here… So I posted my second using all the words up till now…
Goodnight, Sir. We shall see you on the morrow.
No sorrow in the morrow.
Can I borrow a Z or two? 😉
Zzzzzz…
Zorro comes tomorrow.
Zorro indeed! Hey De, methinks your second links points not where you intend.
Thank you! I actually didn’t post my second poem/link yet. That one was a mistake from early posting this morning (which I had thought didn’t take). Removed now. Thank you!
Late landing for me…busy times…I have written and will endeavor to comment this eve before much needed sleep.
Glad you’re here, Paul!
Thank you for hosting tonight De and for a challenging prompt! Pearl wanted to do the talking this time and I will swing by later and tomorrow to catch up and read :o)
Welcome! Good to see you here!
:o)
Added challenge: I was thinking that this is getting too difficult, but after reading born and then de’s superb attempts, thought I would try it too.
Try it? You ROCKED it. I am De-lighted. 🙂
Aww, shucks.
Hi everyone! I can see you’re all having a lot of fun with this one – a great word, De! I’m not long back from choir – we recorded a song this evening! I’ve posted a poem and will try to read as many as I can and then I will have to hit the hay – I’m exhausted from the trip to visit Mum yesterday – she is deteriorating very quickly – and then had a difficult day ending with choir, so I’ll be back in the morning to read some more. It’s lovely to see so many of you posting and to see Lillian back at the pub!
Kim, I am so very sorry to hear about your Mom. Praying for you both.
Thank you, De. I think she wants an end it now but she can’t even communicate that. She held my hands so tightly but kept dropping away into another place. She was kind of singing but I couldn’t work out what it was. I was trying so hard not to cry that I didn’t realise both our hands were wet with tears – and they were mine. The ride back was grim and I haven’t stopped thinking about her all day. Choir helped a bit but they were all having a great time with Christmas songs and I just wanted to come home. Sorry – I just had to share that.
Love to you and your mother, Kim. She’ll always be with you.
Thank you, that’s so kind.
Oh, my friend. I am lifting you up in so much prayer right now. I can only imagine.
Thank you De.
Oh Kim….I am so very sorry for the pain you are feeling. Holding on to a mom’s hand as she slips in an out on her final journey is so very difficult. We always bear the “mark” of our mom. It may sound silly….or like too much information…but you know, the navel is the physical contact point we actually carry on our body. The sign of the nurturing and love our mom provided while she cared for us, even before we entered this world. I was privileged to be with my mom as she left this world and, I like to think, entered the next. But it it so very painful. Hold on Kim. Prayers for you and your mom as you face this together.
Thank you Lillian. You are all so kind.
So sorry to read this Kim ~ Prayers for your mom and family ~
Thank you so much Grace – that means a lot.
Thanks for the prompt De. I’ll post my contribution later.
Glad you’re here, Brian. Pouring you something fabulous.
Hey there! This was fun! How’s it going where you are? Hope this finds everyone doing fine. We had frost on the ground this morning, I have a bad backache, and it’s time to cook our supper. I’ll be back later to read y’all’s entries! 🙂
I’m glad you’re here! 🙂 It’s chilly here in the mornings, too!
Thanks for the prompt. I enjoyed your suggested variations…
Hi, Janice. I’m glad you found some inspiration here! Welcome!
Hello everyone. Read some great poems for this prompt. Finally got mine posted. Have a good evening everyone. 🙂
Welcome, Arcadia! So good to see you! I am heading over now.
This brought back a vivid memory. And there’s another idea brewing too. (Neither the least bit playful!) Back later to read others; have to get to the shops now before the day gets too hot and/or we have a thunderstorm.
Rosemary! I’m so glad you’re here! ❤
After all, I have managed to be a bit playful with the word. And there might be a third one yet!
Keep ’em comin’, gang. I am turning in soon (5am comes EARLY)…but I will be reading again tomorrow, and all week! Feel free to double and triple dip. I LOVE to read your Q’s!
Good one. I’m a bit rusty, but I did give it a try. Thanks, De!
Hi, Mary! Heading over now!
{And pouring you a drink.}
Thanks De! I’ll be around to read in the morning. :o)
Thank you for today’s prompt. I was hankering for a quadrille.
Hi, Crow! SO good to see you here! 🙂
Hey everyone,
Hope you’re having an amazing day so far 🙂 sharing my poem “Moon Child” thank you De for the wonderful opportunity ❤️ this one’s for you!
Lots of love,
Sanaa
Hello, Sanaa! I’m glad you’re here! Heading over soon.
❤️
This was a challenge, but reading the other poems has been more of a challenge still. I’ve posted one, but I think there might be more bubbling under!
Hi, Sarah! Can’t wait to read! Glad you’re here!
Ah….a bit late this morning (jet lag still laggin’!) But I am about to imbibe all these lovely words posted, with hot coffee in hand. I’ve said it before, so good to be back. Onward! ❤
Good morning, Lill. Early here, so pouring you some strong coffee, along with mine. 🙂
It’s been awhile since I’ve been able here at d’Verse, not for lack of wanting to, but my time has been divided by work, and for the better part of the past year and a half, with family illness. And I know the rules that if you share you must be prepared to read and comment, and time hasn’t allowed me to do that. However this subject came too easy for me, for we have learned too much about “scars” since I last visited here. Thanks to my friend Other Mary for sharing her poem and inspiring me to join you today.
Sorry, that would be “able *to visit* here at d’Verse” typing too fast!
Ginny, I’m so glad you’re here! Welcome!
Thanks for helping me understand the Quadrille, De. I am quite fond of formatted poetry of any kind, whether by rhyme, meter, or in this case, word count. I like this format a lot, constraining to 44 words makes for brief yet concise writing! BTW, as you suggested, deleted your “how-to” comments. Appreciate the explanations though, and after reading many of the offerings, realize that these Quadrilles may be written in rhyme, free verse—the only limits the 44 word requirement and our own imaginations! Thanks again!
Hello Ginny, it’s been a while— so glad you can join.. the Quadrille is a wonderful dance.
It is indeed, Bjorn! I have enjoyed learning the “steps!”
Susan Mehr, your link doesn’t work for me. Can you double check it, and post a new direct link? (If you have trouble linking up, you can email me a direct link at:
de@wordplaybyde.com
and I will add it.)
I don’t want folks to miss out on reading your work.
{Saw you fixed it, Susan. Thank you!} 🙂
Hi De. I’m thinking of joining in. Was looking for Mr. Linky and can’t see him. Could you direct me. 🙂
Hi Olga. Welcome to D’verse ~ I see your link is in Mr. Linky now ~
❤
Do you mean the comment box? I feel so silly now.
Never mind my prior comments. I found it and posted.
Posting a bit late, but I will be around tonight and tomorrow to read all your creations.
So glad you’re here, Trudessa! 🙂
Hi: Thank you again for the prompt — I finally came up with one — I started thinking about emotional scars, but ended up with something related but different.
Love it, Janice!
Glad you do 🙂 thanks 🙂
Bringing up the rear, I imagine. Will life ever return to normal? But I couldn’t miss a Quadrille!
So glad you’re here, Victoria! Heading over now.
And I finally managed a third –I think only just before time runs out.
Yay, Rosemary! Heading over now. 🙂