“Nor should she be too rich, because the rich
Are driven by wealth as beggars by the itch’
from ‘Beggar To Beggar Cried’ by William Butler Yeats.
May is a time when the landscape is rich with flowers and poets are rich with inspiration. I’m Kim from Writing in North Norfolk, welcoming you to this month’s second Quadrille, in which we take any meaning of one word and transform it into 44 poetic words.
‘Rich’ is an adjective which originated in Old English rice, meaning ‘strong, powerful; great, mighty; of high rank’ and later ‘wealthy’. The form of the word was influenced in Middle English by Old French riche, meaning ’wealthy, magnificent, sumptuous’. Old English also had a noun, rice, meaning ‘rule, reign, power, might; authority; empire’. The evolution of the word reflects a connection between wealth and power in the ancient world. (Source: etymonline.com)
‘Rich’ means having a great deal of money or assets; there are plenty of synonyms for the word, such as wealthy, affluent, well off, rolling in money, loaded and worth a packet. You can be born into a rich and famous family, and be cash rich, filthy rich or stinking rich.
‘Rich’ also means existing in plentiful quantities, abundant or having a lot of something such as ‘the rich flora and fauna of the forest’, ‘the town offers a rich supply of coffee shops and restaurants’, and ‘the English language is rich in vocabulary’.
It can describe something containing a lot of exciting events or experiences, which is therefore very interesting, for example ‘he has written a book about the island’s rich history’ or ‘she had a rich and varied life’.
‘Rich’ can mean attractive; a rich colour, sound, smell, or taste is strong in a pleasing or attractive way, such as ‘she produced a rich, deep tone from her clarinet’ or ‘the wine has a rich aromatic flavour’.
A rich material is very beautiful and valuable but if food is rich, it contains a large amount of oil, butter, eggs, or cream, and can make you feel uncomfortable, as in ‘this chocolate mousse is too rich for me’. It can also mean that something has a large quantity of a valuable substance, as in calcium-rich food or an oil-rich country.
Furthermore, it is used to describe someone’s opinions when that person has the same bad qualities as the person they are criticizing, as in ‘That’s a bit rich coming from him’.
We have expressions and sayings, such as ‘eat the rich’, ‘poor little rich girl/boy/kid’, ‘rich as Croesus’, ‘life’s rich tapestry’ and ‘strike it rich’, and songs about being rich, for example ‘If I Were a Rich Man’ from ‘Fiddler on the Roof, ‘Rich Girl’ by Hall and Oates, and Aerosmith’s ‘Eat the Rich’:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-0lAhnoDlU
Here are links to two poems; one is entitled Rich and Poor’ by Francis Duggan:
https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/rich-and-poor/
and the other is ‘Richness’ by Jacob Wright:
http://poems.poetrysociety.org.uk/poems/richness/
This week I’d like you to take any meaning, form or compound of the word rich, and write a poem of exactly 44 words (not counting your title), including the prompt word.
Here’s how to Quadrille:
– Write a poem of exactly 44 words, including the word rich.
– Put your poem on your blog and link back to this post.
– Link it up to our Mr. Linky.
– Don’t forget to check the little box to accept use/privacy policy
– Visit other blogs. Enjoy some amazing poets. Comment. Come back later this week and write another one, and visit some more. Comment some more. Create as many poems as you please, including ones with all the words. The Quadrille lasts all week, so I look forward to a rich array of poetry!
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
Good evening… great to have another Quadrille to dance to … I did get into the urge to be rich… the greed etc,,,
More in the line with Pink Floyd Money.
kim881 said:
I think there will be a few rich more songs this evening!
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Grace said:
A very rich prompt Kim. Thanks for hosting and I will have a slice of the cake please.
kim881 said:
How about some Black Forest gateau?
Grace said:
Perfect Kim. See you in the trail.
kim881 said:
Good evening poets! The dVerse Poets Pub is now open for business. I have a rich array of drinks and am looking forward to a wealth of quadrilles.
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
Can you lace my drink with something strong tonight.
kim881 said:
No problem, Bjorn, how about some brandy?
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sarahsouthwest said:
Great word, Kim. I think we’ll be mining a rich seam tonight.
kim881 said:
Oh yes!
merrildsmith said:
Thank you for hosting, Kim. I think we will be rich with ideas soon!
kim881 said:
🙂
msjadeli said:
Hi Kim and All. It’s cool and green today, chillier than it has been but bright light. What a rich prompt from which to mine.
kim881 said:
It’s chilly here too, Jade. I’ve got my thick cardigan on. 😉
msjadeli said:
I’m about to reach for more than the tank top and thin pants I’m wearing!
kim881 said:
🙂
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Charmed Chaos said:
Hello Kim- Great prompt! Thanks for hosting today. It’s an amazing 67 degrees here in Mesa, AZ. I have been floored by the beautiful weather we are having, and we have yet to hit the 100 degrees F mark. I had to put on a sweater this morning to walk the dog! I think that’s a first for this time of year.
kim881 said:
Hello Linda! I can’t imagine that kind of heat at all – it’s been chilly here today and I have my big cardigan on. I think there’s been a touch of pathetic fallacy – my father-in-law is dying and isn’t expected to last through the night. My husband only got back from Spain yesterday and has been with his father all afternoon. I could do with a warm spell now to thaw out my heart and bones. I’m looking forward to some great poetry to cheer me up.
Charmed Chaos said:
Oh, my heart goes out to you. As we age, death becomes our companion more and more. Hugs to you.
kim881 said:
Thank you, Linda. David just got back and said he’ll be going over again tomorrow but doesn’t think his dad will make it through the night.
Mish said:
Hello everyone. Thanks for hosting, Kim. 🙂 A good word to ponder as there are so many areas of wealth in our lives, many we take for granted.
It’s nice to have a long weekend (Victoria Day in Canada). It’s a bit chilly but the sun has enriched my day! Going out for a short walk and then back to comment.
kim881 said:
Hello Mish! I noticed it was Victoria Day when I looked at my calendar this morning. I was also reading something about the man after whom Vancouver is named – he came from Norfolk and is the reason why so many Canadian place names originated here. Next weekend will be our long weekend ere, but it’s just a bank holiday with no particular reason. I do like my long weekends to have a good reason!
Mish said:
Oh I didn’t know about the origin of the name “Vancouver”. Interesting! Yes, there are many, many cities, counties, etc. originating from your area. I live an hour from “London”….hehehe.
kim881 said:
It takes me two hours on the train! 🙂
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Nathan AM Smith said:
I love this!! What a great idea! Funny enough, I just wrote a poem in the style of late Yeats on my blog! This is great! Can’t wait to read more!
kim881 said:
Thanks for joining us, Nathan!
robtkistner said:
Thank you for hosting Kim! I will have at the rich, and then post my 44 words… 🙂
kim881 said:
Thanks for joining us, Rob! 🙂
sanaarizvi said:
Loved the prompt, Kim! 😀 I ll be over shortly to read and comment ❤️
kim881 said:
Hi Sanaa! I love your erotic quadrille!
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kim881 said:
To anyone whose quadrille I haven’t read yet: I am off to bed. It’s a tough day today and I’m exhausted. I’ll be back tomorrow to continue to read and comment – I won’t be able to go anywhere after 9.30 am as my car is going in for a service at 9.00 – a captive audience, so to speak! 🙂 Goodnight poets.
Poetry for the Soul said:
Nice
kim881 said:
🙂
erbiage said:
Delicious prompt! There’s only one thing they’re very good for. Their attitude may taste like shit, but it goes real good with wine!
kim881 said:
What, the shit, Eric?!
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D. Avery @shiftnshake said:
I managed something! Thank you for the satisfying prompt. (Bet you thought I was going to say “rich”)
kim881 said:
I’m just about to read and comment again – I’m looking forward to it. 🙂
Truedessa said:
Interesting prompt, I am sure it will inspire some great poetry. See you out there.
kim881 said:
See you on the poetry trail!
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Na'ama Yehuda said:
Thank you, Kim, for this prompt!
Added mine to the linky (copied here, just in case — I had some trouble with some pingbacks over the last couple of days – https://naamayehuda.com/2019/05/20/the-richness-of-you/ ).
Happy Monday!
kim881 said:
Thank you for joining us! 🙂
Na'ama Yehuda said:
🙂 My pleasure! Quadrilles are fun!
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kim881 said:
Sadly your link seems to be broken and I keep getting the message ‘Oops! That page can’t be found’. Please try to link up again as I’d love to read your quadrille!
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Dr. Crystal Grimes said:
Thanks for hosting, Kim! I always love the Q and this was no exception! 🙂
kim881 said:
I’m always pleased to see you at the Poets Pub, Crystal! 🙂
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Misky said:
Thanks, Kim.
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jazzytower said:
Hello Kim, hi everyone,
A good week to all!! Thanks for hosting Kim.
I went all over the place with “rich”, and finally settled on something;))
Pat
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kim881 said:
Hi Jim! I’ve tried the link a few times and keep getting this message: ‘This is somewhat embarrassing, isn’t it?
It seems we can’t find what you’re looking for. Perhaps searching can help.’
lillian said:
Oh my goodness…..2:33 PM on Tuesday….just now posting 😦 Have just not been able to get back to my early morning rising, writing and reading since our return from Asia. sigh…..
Great word, Kim. I will meander posts and read now.
kim881 said:
There was no hurry, Lill. I’m reading and commenting until the weekend. I’m having to take it easy today anyway as we’ve had a death in the family. The 2.15 am phone call and the news have left us completely exhausted, even though we knew it was coming.
Grace said:
My condolences to the family Kim. Hugs and prayers.
kim881 said:
Thank you, Grace.
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whimsygizmo said:
Suuuuuper late to the party. Last week of school + jury duty = chaos.
Love the word, Kim. 🙂 Thank you!
kim881 said:
Jury duty! I’ve never been called to do jury duty. Last week of school is fun, though. 😉
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Ali Grimshaw said:
Kim, thanks for hosting and for a prompt that is rich with possibilities. Aren’t words fascinating?! I look forward to reading the interpretations shared.
kim881 said:
Hi Ali! Thanks for joining us.😊
Ali Grimshaw said:
Wow. I didn’t realize how late I was to the party until now. I guess everyone has already fallen asleep on the couch or gone home.
kim881 said:
My prompt link closed yesterday and the haibun opens in couple of hoyrs.
Ali Grimshaw said:
Thanks. It’s all good. You inspired me to take time to write this morning. Thank you.
kim881 said:
😊
antonia_ said:
Love this post! Very well written
kim881 said:
Thank you, Antonia!