Hello. Frank Hubeny here. The topic today is reverse poetry. I just heard about it a week ago, but I figure it is time to try something new or at least become familiar with something new.
A reverse poem is one that presents a message, story or a viewpoint for a few lines and then stops and rewinds all of it playing the message back, line by line, but in reverse order to present a very different story or viewpoint perhaps even the opposite of the first view. It can be quite powerful especially if the first direction is depressing and the reverse of that is uplifting.
Here is an example. It was the first thing I clicked on when searching for “reverse poetry” on YouTube. (Posted by flyty116.)
When I first heard this idea I thought it might be impossible to write something like that and then I thought perhaps it is not so hard. I would need a strong, perhaps controversial position, a transitional middle section and then a line by line reversal of that controversial position trying to resolve in some way that original view. It might take some tinkering with the phrases to get this to work, but the hardest part may be coming up with that initial viewpoint that I want to reverse.
Not all of the poem need be a reversal of some other part of the poem. Even the lines that are reversed need not be exactly the same. There is some flexibility here. The reader just needs to sense some kind of reversal.
Besides the reversed lines, you may need a transition line or section between the forward and reversed parts. There may also be a part at the beginning or end that is not part of the reversing lines of the poem. For example, here is a poem by Marina McCready, “the civilized man”, that Mary Grace Guevara brought to my attention: https://poetrysociety.org.uk/poems/the-civilised-man/
Note the beginning section describes a man reading a newspaper. Then a page of the newspaper is presented. That is one direction of the poem. The middle section is a line about him turning the page. Then he reads what he read on the previous page, but in reverse order. The poem ends with him turning the page again leaving him with a final question.
Now it’s your turn. Write a reverse poem, post it on your blog, copy the link to your blog post and paste it in the Mister Linky below. Read what others have posted and leave a comment on their blogs—it is how we get to know each other better. Leave me a comment below if you like. Come back tomorrow and check out the new links. You may link more than one post if this becomes addictive. The Mister Linky will be open for two days.
dVerse 
Welcome! The bar is open!
That video was so good!!! The tone and emotional content made a difference.
I found it surprising well done. I wish I had written it.
Thanks for hosting Frank! The form is very intriguing and I look forward to reading the responses. Happy Thursday!!!
It is a very interesting form. Thank you for recommending it and for the example poem by McCready. I am still trying to make sense of it, but as I read what other people have done the possibilities will emerge. That kind of repetition can be very powerful.
She questions the choice. The “damn it”.
It is good to question.
Ok, this was downright hard:)
I found it hard also. One thing that makes it easier is the reversed direction does not have to be exactly the same as the forward direction, just close enough so one realizes that a reversal is taking place.
Thanks for hosting, Frank! I enjoyed the video and the spoken word poem, and the prompt. I will have to post and run this evening as I’ve been out all day and have a lot to catch up on. By the way, the music in the video sounds like Caspian, one of my favourite bands.
I am not familiar with Caspian, but it may be. It was the first time I heard anything from that group. I liked their positive attitude.
I’m trying this one out, Frank, and finding it very hard not to get two poems that mean the same thing. I’d like to get a poem that changes its meaning when it’s read the other way, but it’s not coming to me. Maybe later
I have the same problem. I would like a real reversal in mine, meaning something almost opposite on reading it backward. So far I have not succeeded, but who knows? Maybe it will in the future.
Logically a string of images about the same subject can be read in any order, but to get the opposite meaning you need to add something extra. It’s that extra something I’m not getting.
I’m not either, but that means the challenge is harder than I originally realized.
Well, I got something in the end. Not quite opposite, but there’s a difference. Subtle. You have to search for it 🙂
I liked it!
🙂
Statements, aI believe is it. 🙂
They are statements and getting them in reversed order–that can be difficult.
Probably. But you know what I mean 🙂
Cool prompt, Frank! Mine wasn’t a controversial reversal, just more of a confirmation 🙂 Enjoying my chai tea while i write…
I liked how you handled this form with that bold center line. So far I haven’t been able to think of any controversial theme to do a reversal on either, but just a description as you have done is another good use for this form. The repetition is like a refrain in a song.
A love song, in this case…thanks, Frank!
It was very nice, Lynn!
This is a challenging form to do and certainly stretched me out of my comfort zone. I still have to do one that is a complete opposite of emotions or perspective.
I haven’t done one of these either that go in a complete opposite direction like that video. I might try another if I get an idea.
That was challenging. Ai am tired, now, it is 01:22 AM, and aI am afraid aI don’t see every way my poem might be read. Ai believe, though, it is fine, God given. In fact, aI believe it is the greatest poem in the world ever written, not to mention it.
It is fine, Vaccinius. There are many ways to read and understand the words we use. Each time somewhat differently.
I agree with the previous notes: this is a hard challenge, but a good one. I think I fulfilled it, but my brain has become mushy, so I’ll have to check it later to see if it makes sense.
You did. You portrayed that man walking into the bar in two very different ways. The challenge is harder than I thought it would be. When I read what I write in reverse it doesn’t make sense assuming it made sense going forward.
What a challenge, Frank. I have been watching you play with form and find it intriguing. I’ll see what I can come up with.
I like form. It lets me know when a poem is finished. These reverse poems, however, might be better written in a freer style. I liked how you approached loneliness especially with the realization in the middle: “not alone”.
I agree, form stretches us. Thanks again, Frank. I am so enjoying this group.
I especially like your second example. I’m working through changing some internal scripts, so I’m excited to see what comes out of me through this prompt.
That second example was the first reverse poem I read, thanks to Grace’s showing it to me. It made me realize that the lines don’t have to be exact. One just has to sense that things are reversing or repeating in an unusual way.
This is an interesting concept. I’m not sure I got it right but it was fun trying.
The more I try this, the more difficult this appears, but the more interesting the results. I think your two haiga (haiku with image) work as a reversal and add more variety to what is possible with this form.
Thanks Frank. I had fun with the prompt. It’s an interesting idea.
Good Morning Frank- I will be posting shortly. I’m not sure if I completely achieved the desired effect, but I gave it a try. This was a real challenge- thank you!
You achieved it. Your poem also made me suspect that the real power of the reversal is not right in the middle when the lines start repeating but midway in both parts, both forward and backward.
That’s a great point. Thanks Frank!
Afternoon, poets! Thanks, Frank, for the challenging prompt. Took some time to wrap my mind around it, but I finally got it! So how about that burgundy? 🙂
Coming right up, Frank!
Yes! 😆
For some reason my alert comes late?
This is my poem:
Life Is a Veil
Life a veil
A world without flaws
Garden chimes sound
Comforts me
You hold out your hands to me
I hold out my hands to you
Comforts you
Garden chimes sound
A world without flaws
Life a veil
August 20, 2018
Whoa, Frank, I was just about to start playing with this form since I saw your poem. Not having to match exactly feels like it might not be so bad though. We’ll see how it goes.😊 Thanks for hosting Frank
Pat
It sounds like a variation on a palindrome. I wasn’t able to attempt this last week. Maybe I will have a go this week!