Tags
Janus, Natasha Trethewey, new year, poems, poetry, Robert Frost, Time, What if
Happy New Year, dVerse Community! It’s Merril, and I’m pleased to be hosting the first Poetics of the year. We have wine, beer, and an assortment of hot and cold beverages behind the bar. I’m new here, and I haven’t had much of a chance to explore yet, but I’m sure I can find something you’ll like.
Now that we have drinks sorted out, let’s move on to poetry and the subject of time and what ifs. Some of you know that I’m a bit obsessed fascinated by time.
I came across this poem by Natasha Trethewey. Check it out. I’ll wait.
So . . .time. Toward the end of December many people begin to look back over the past year. Some people make resolutions for the new year. (I’m not one of them.) You probably know that January was named for the Roman god Janus who has two heads–one looks backwards and the other looks forward. Janus is the doorkeeper of time and space, that is, entrances and exits, beginnings and endings, inside and outside—he can see it all without turning his head. He carries a staff with which to help guide travelers along the right path, and he holds a key to open gates.
And this concept of Janus fits here because many people travel during the holiday season–which made me think of Robert Frost’s well-known poem, “The Road Not Taken.” The poem is often misread, and even Robert Frost said it was “a tricky poem.” Was there even a difference in the roads? Did it matter which road was taken? The final verse indicates the narrator will tell this story sometime in the future.
So, today, I want you to consider time and space and what if? What if you–or someone else—or some THING else–took that less or more-traveled path? Would it make a difference? Will it make a difference? Look backward, forward, inside, and out. Then wonder, what if? Ponder it into a poem and post it for us to enjoy.
If you are new, here’s how to join in:
- Write a poem (in any form) in response to the challenge.
- Enter a link directly to your poem and your name by clicking Mr Linky by clicking Mr Linky below and remember to check the little box to accept the use/privacy policy. You will find links to other poets and more will join, so check back later to read their poem.
- Read and comment on other poets’ work–we all come here to have our poems read.
- Please link back to dVerse from your site/blog.
- Comment and participate in our discussion below, if you like. We are a friendly bunch of poets.
- NOTE: If you do not see Mr. Linky, just press that small icon, and it should work.
merrildsmith said:
Happy New Year, All! The pub is open.
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
Thank you Merril … what a joy to see the pub open again…
merrildsmith said:
It does seem like it has been a long time! Playing with time–and all that–Christmas already seems distant.
Grace said:
Thank you for being part of our dVerse team!!!
merrildsmith said:
I feel honored.
D. Avery @shiftnshake said:
Yes, thank you. I’ve been thirsty for the verse tea.
merrildsmith said:
Enjoy it! It’s a special brew. 😉
lillian said:
So ready to imbibe some poetic beverages again! So nice to see you tending the pub, Merril! A thought provoking prompt!
Happy 2019 to all my dVerse friends!
merrildsmith said:
Thank you, Lillian. I can’t wait to see what you and everyone comes up with.
Grace said:
Thank you Merril for hosting our first dVerse prompt for 2019! Hope everyone had a good holiday. We did a lot of hiking to shake off the over-eating effects of Christmas. Now off to read on the poetry trail.
merrildsmith said:
Thank you, Grace. What a good idea–all that hiking!
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Mish said:
Happy New Year!! Having a glitch on my wordpress…so I hope it posted ok in Mr.Linky. I actually can’t even see my poem on my blog.
Anyways, here’s to another wonderful year of poetry! Cheers!! 🙂
lillian said:
Interesting. I had a glitch with my WP blog also….font on the final stanza kept being smaller than the rest of the poem…no matter what I did. sigh….technology wizard I am not.
Happiest and a healthy new year to you, Mish!
merrildsmith said:
Hi Mish! Oh, hope you get that worked out, but Mr Linky says you’re there, so I’ll be by in a few to see. Cheers back to you!
sarahsouthwest said:
Happy New Year, Merril,and all you other lovely poets. This was a slightly challenging prompt for somebody who had a slightly late night last night, and may have drunk too much fizz. I’m opting for an early night tonight!
Jane Dougherty said:
Feeling very much the same. Happy new year 🙂
sarahsouthwest said:
I don’t usually care for New Year’s Eve, but this year I decided to embrace it rather too enthusiastically…
Jane Dougherty said:
We’ve been embracing it since Christmas Eve. I need a long rest.
merrildsmith said:
🙂
merrildsmith said:
I will be in bed early tonight, as well. I actually did stay up till midnight–WAY late for me–but I was still awake at 5 A.M.
Jane Dougherty said:
Hello Merril! What a great place to meet up 🙂
merrildsmith said:
I know. Weird, right? 🙂
Jane Dougherty said:
I shan’t trouble you for a drink. It’s been flowing in buckets for the last nine days…
merrildsmith said:
Hahaha. I can make you a cup of tea or cocoa.
Jane Dougherty said:
I’d love a cup of tea, but it’s too close to bedtime here, and having to get up in the night for a pee in this house could be fatal. I feel like Captain Oates..I am just going outside and I may be some time…
merrildsmith said:
Oh dear. You need those hand and feet warmer things. I’ll hope to see you tomorrow!
Jane Dougherty said:
We have dressing gowns on the bed so we can grab one before even getting out of it 🙂
merrildsmith said:
🙂
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kim881 said:
Happy New Year everyone! Thank you for hosting, Merril, and for a great first prompt for 2019. I’ve linked up my poem and will be back in half an hour to read and comment. I’m looking forward to it.
merrildsmith said:
Thank you, Kim!
msjadeli said:
After having imbibed way too much this season already, I should decline the offer of refreshment, but please, may I have a nice hot cider with a splash of brandy? Your prompt is challenging but welcomed.
merrildsmith said:
Coming right up. Consider the drink medicinal. 😉
msjadeli said:
thank you very much, Merril
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Frank J. Tassone said:
Happy New Year, Poets! Thanks for hosting, Merril! Great to see you among the pubtenders! I’ll have that spiked egg nog when you get the chance! 🙂
merrildsmith said:
Coming right up, Frank. I had to put some away so my husband wouldn’t drink it all. 🙂
Frank J. Tassone said:
LOL!
merrildsmith said:
🙂
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Gina said:
wonderful prompt Merril on your first outing at dverse! have an amazing time hosting. I am writing something now, its been a busy start to the new year, good and fruitful busy. hope yours was great too!
merrildsmith said:
Thank you, Gina! I will be over soon to read yours. The holiday season was busy with friends and family, and it was great. Now, I have a few deadlines to meet–so I’m going to be very busy. 🙂
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crow said:
Been a while since I’ve been here.
Happy New Year, everyone!
merrildsmith said:
Happy New Year, Mr. Crow!
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rob kistner said:
I am very late to finally post. The poem was nearly finished, but visiting family distracted my final focus. But here it is Merril. This was a great prompt… 🙂
merrildsmith said:
No worries. I think several people posted after I was done for the night. 🙂 I will be over in a bit to read. Thank you, Rob!
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Jane Swanson said:
Thanks for the prompting on time
merrildsmith said:
You’re welcome!
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Charmed Chaos said:
Happy New Year everyone! Merril, thanks for hosting. It’s good to see everyone again. I have been a bit under the weather, but taking my elderberry, so hopefully this will fade. I am joining in today with a pantoum.
merrildsmith said:
Hope you feel better soon!
Charmed Chaos said:
Thank you- I haven’t been ill in over a year. We are having some cold weather here in AZ- 28 last night!
merrildsmith said:
Oh–that’s colder than it is here in NJ! (Though I’m sure we will get some cold weather soon.)
Charmed Chaos said:
Yes, I recall- I lived in Philly 20 years ago. Cold, and rainy winters, and of course snow.
merrildsmith said:
Oh–I didn’t remember that you lived in my area of the world at one point. It’s been very rainy and gloomy here lately.
Charmed Chaos said:
Yes, I moved there for a job promotion with IKEA and ended up meeting my husband! LOL
merrildsmith said:
How cool!
thereluctantpoet said:
So sorry to hear you have been under the weather!!! Be well soon! Happy New Year!!!
xoxoxo
Charmed Chaos said:
Thank you Chuck! Happy New Year.
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Lona Gynt said:
Wonderful prompt Merril. Hugs! I am posting late late late – back to work after vacation, and then a busy day at work. But I could not resist this wonderful prompt, which fit hand in glove, somewhat serendipitously, with some reflections I was having on the morning of New Year’s Eve. Thank you friends all, and Happy New Year. I will be by eventually, but may take a full week to crawl the trail, but know it will be great. So good to be back. I am hoping to get my sister, who is a poet to come play with us here at dVerse. Fingers crossed. I have posted a shadorma, and will just have a little bit of delicious filtered cold river water… in a glass. 🙂
merrildsmith said:
Hi Lona. Happy New Year! I will be by soon to read.
I’ll send someone out to the river now. 🙂
merrildsmith said:
I’ve read your poem–so to clarify, I mean, I’m sending someone to get you a drink!
thereluctantpoet said:
Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet and commented:
So, today, I want you to consider time and space and what if? What if you–or someone else—or some THING else–took that less or more-traveled path? Would it make a difference? Will it make a difference? Look backward, forward, inside, and out. Then wonder, what if? Ponder it into a poem and post it for us to enjoy. – d’versepoets – January 2, 2019
thereluctantpoet said:
Thank you so much, Merrill for posting a writing prompt on my most favorite poem!!! I still have this memorized from way back in high school! I will have to see if I can do this justice!! Great choice for a topic and prompt!!!!
merrildsmith said:
Thanks so much. I’m sure you will come up with something wonderful!
rosross said:
Happy New Year to one and all.
merrildsmith said:
Happy New Year to you!
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iidorun said:
Hope it’s not to late for a drink! I must have gotten caught in a time warp…thanks for this getting the brain moving in 2019, Merril!
merrildsmith said:
You’re welcome! Thanks for joining in.
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dragyonfly said:
I missed the time limit on the time prompt Merril gave us. So i put it over on OLN. Time is a big playa in my world.
merrildsmith said:
I”m catching up on reading, but I will make sure to read this soon!
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