Hey there, Poets-in-Residence! De Jackson (aka WhimsyGizmo) here. It’s Quadrille Monday again (my favorite!)…when we pen poems of exactly 44 words (not counting the title), including one specific word provided.
I’m guessing chances are pretty good you’ve seen one or two signs like this lately:
Today, I want us to embrace the word close, and channel it into our poems.
Pronounce it either way you like: closed, closing, close, closure; or come closer. Close your eyes. Close the door. You can have a closed mind, or a close call. Draw your muse closer to you, and see what she has to say.
Just be sure you still embrace the official song of Spring 2020, as (re)enforced by The Police:
{Hey, we gotta laugh, right?}
As many of us must stay home, let’s all be part of the poemdemic, and spread nothing but poems, kindness and love during these crazy times. There’s a whole lot that might be closed right now, but our hearts can still be open to the beauty around us.
New to the Q? Here’s what to do:
Just pen a poem of precisely 44 words, including some form of the word close (pronounced either way, and as any form of speech you choose, or invent). Link it up by clicking Mr. Linky. Then open your poetry world wide by visiting the other posts, and you’ll find some of the most talented poets around. The prompt doesn’t close for the whole week, so remember to come back and read (and write!) some more! And hey, if you’re doing a poem a day in April, tell us in the comments how it’s going. We want to celebrate you!
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
Hello… I have been so busy… working from home just means more work… so I needed to write something sweet tonight.
whimsygizmo said:
Hi, Bjorn. I have been busy with work, too. I understand. Glad you are well.
whimsygizmo said:
Greetings, intrepid poets! How you holding up out there in Quarantine World? I am a bit sappy and strange today, but opening up the bar with plenty of libations of all kinds. Poet Pubbin’, NOT cancelled. Drop us a line to say hello, and happy poeming!
Frank Hubeny said:
Thanks for hosting, De! We are holding up well.
whimsygizmo said:
Happy to hear it, Frank. 🙂
msjadeli said:
Hello De and All. As the world shuts down, the doors at my house are opening. The sun is shining and even though chilly still able to go out for short bursts without a coat. The green of the iris plants are growing and the tips of peonies are emerging. Please stay safe everybody. Sipping hot coffee with unsweetened almond milk today.
whimsygizmo said:
Hi, Jade. Such a lovely visual you provide. Thank you. Cheers!
msjadeli said:
Thanks and Cheers!
kim881 said:
Good evening everyone, and thanks for hosting, De. We’re all overwhelmed by the pandemic and the virus is finding its way into so much of the poetry I read every day. Sadly, my husband lost a friend to the corona virus on 29th March, which has us in a deep trough at the moment, especially since only close family is allowed to attend the funeral. I’ve been trying to stay buoyant with a daily walk around the football pitch opposite our house, which is bordered with blossoming hedges and trees. Sadly, some people are not sticking to the rules, mainly in cities around the UK, and have been venturing out to public spaces to sunbathe and meet up with friends. The government may stop us from going out for exercise. On a brighter note, I’ve self-published my children’s novel as an e-book on Amazon and it’s available as of today.
kim881 said:
It’s just been announced that the British PM, Boris Johnson, has gone into intensive care with corona virus.
Xan said:
omg
whimsygizmo said:
Oh, Kim. I’m so so sorry for your loss, and for the anxiety it all brings. Sending extra prayers your way…and PRAISES for your book. How wonderful!
kim881 said:
Thank you so much, De.
msjadeli said:
Kim, I’ve observed the same lack of following lock-down in just the few miles I traveled to the post office to drop a letter in the outside box from my car. Groups of children riding bikes together, Several groups of adults walking the bike trail closely together, etc. I fear many more will die than needed to because of plain stupidity. Unfortunately the stupid will take many innocents with them. I congratulate you on your newly published book, Kim.
kim881 said:
Thank you, Lisa.
Christine Bolton said:
So sorry to hear your sad news. It is a fear that that many of us will soon actually know someone who will be lost to the virus. Stay safe Kim and enjoy your walking each day. Walking my dogs several times a day keeps my energy level up and clears my mind. I visit others from the acceptable distance. Wonderful news about your children’s novel. Congratulations!
kim881 said:
Thank you so much, Christine. It’s at times like this I miss walking my dog; he died 12 years ago and we can’t replace him. But I love our cats very much and they are great company. Thank you for the congratulations!
Xan said:
So far today I’ve encountered a closed bank, a closed post office, and a close miss on the bus. Now the rain is getting close so I’m glad I’m enclosed in my snug little house. I think I’ll /open/ a bottle of wine while I wait for inspiration. Thanks for the timely prompt, De!
whimsygizmo said:
Glad you’re finding some inspiration here! Welcome!
Grace said:
Hi De and everyone. Work from home means more work for me too. But we are grinding and doing the best we can. Hope all is well with you.
whimsygizmo said:
Hi, Grace. Glad you’re here.
merrildsmith said:
Hi De. Thank you for hosting! I hope everyone here is well.
This is a wonderful word. If I have time, I may have to return. I combined it with the NaPoWriMo prompt for a bit of silliness.
whimsygizmo said:
Happy to see you here, Merril.
little learner said:
Hello, everyone. Thanks for the prompt, De! Working via Zoom seems to take twice the time and effort, but I am thankful for work as many I know have lost their jobs. Strange times. Thankful for all the kindness that we can give and receive. And for poetry!
whimsygizmo said:
I am thankful to be able to work from home, too, and thinking of all those who have lost their jobs. So many extra prayers.
Bodhirose said:
Hi De, I’m happy to be able to join you today…cuz, what else do I have to do with myself these days?! AND your word choice inspired me! Thanks for that. 🙂 xoxo
whimsygizmo said:
So happy you found some inspiration here!
Bodhirose said:
Me too!
calmkate said:
Hi De, a timely prompt and love the Police song … brought back many memories and made me smile, thanks!
whimsygizmo said:
Happy to see you here, kate!
calmkate said:
thanks, I’m reluctant to step into pubs but I’m feeling more comfortable with you lot 🙂
Linda Lee Lyberg said:
De, Thank you for hosting today and for your lovely spirit. I’ll ponder the word and see where it takes me. I spend my days in the garden and sending protesting thoughts to my husband as he is still working out in the world. There are so many who are not abiding by the rules. He is doing his best to keep to himself.
whimsygizmo said:
Linda Lee, praying for your hubby. It’s so hard out there. And yes, so many are not taking this seriously enough.
Linda Lee Lyberg said:
Thank you!
joem18b said:
RedCat said:
Thanks for hosting!
Just what I needed to find some inspiration for today’s poem. I’ve never done GloPoWriMo before, but decided it might be just what I needed to keep writing trough this pandemic.
whimsygizmo said:
Happy to see you here, RedCat!
memadtwo said:
Thanks for the prompt De. So far so good with a poem a day.(K)
whimsygizmo said:
Great job doing a poem a day! It’s not easy right now. Happy you’re here!
Truedessa said:
Thanks for hosting – the Quadrille is one of my favorite prompts. See you around the virtual bar.
whimsygizmo said:
Hi, Trudessa! So happy you’re here!
D. Avery @shiftnshake said:
How wonderful to find an open establishment. Thank you for hosting. I enjoy quadrille, though you’ll see how I drew a blank.
whimsygizmo said:
Happy to see you here! 🙂
Na'ama Yehuda said:
Hi there, De,
What a fantastic and timely prompt, for the time where so much is closed and so many of us seek to be close even as we take care to not be TOO close …
I’ve added my entry to the linky-thingy,
Am sipping on some hot cocoa already, so I’ll just lean in and eavesdrop on others’ conversations … (from 6 feet away, of course…)
Na’ama
whimsygizmo said:
Lean in as close as you like, Na’ama. We all have full immunity here. 🙂
Na'ama Yehuda said:
Yea! We all got powerful antibodies – the dVerse Poetry pub is fully vaccinated against ickies. 🙂
peterfrankiswrites said:
A great prompt De – thanks – looking forward to some high-calorie reading later today.
whimsygizmo said:
Happy to see you, Peter!
sarahsouthwest said:
I’m struggling to write at all at the moment. We’re in this weird limbo. What do I have to say?
I’m working from home, and feel like I’m working harder than usual, without the usual lift and love from my wonderful team. I’m not even doing NaPoWriMo this year. And I know lots of people are far worse off than I am, but even so.
whimsygizmo said:
I understand completely, Sarah. I have written a poem a day every April for more than 12 years now, and this year is the biggest struggle yet. So much “encouragement” out there about “how to use this time wisely” and “grow ourselves” and I’m pretty much over here still working (from home, as always), and also on the big time struggle bus. As an empath, this is all kicking my butt. I think if we are just circling our wagons and RESTING, that’s okay, too. The ground has to do that to grow a crop again; why shouldn’t we?
whippetwisdom said:
A beautiful prompt for these times De and thank you so much for hosting. I hope you and all our fellow poets are staying well and healthy. I’ve linked a tanka prose-quadrille and will swing by later to read xxx
whimsygizmo said:
Happy to see you!
Frank J. Tassone said:
Good Afternoon, Poets! Thanks, De, for hosting an intriguing #Quadrille Monday!
whimsygizmo said:
Hi, Frank! Glad you’re here!
Ali Grimshaw said:
Since I can’t seem to remember what day it is, I am late to the party. Let’s keep our hearts opened while much of what remains around us is closed for business. Thank you for the inspiration and opportunity. Stay well.
whimsygizmo said:
Hi, Ali!
If it’s helpful, at our house we have renamed the days thusly:
Moanday, Bluesday, Whatsday, Blurrrrsday, Tryday, Sadderday and Someday.
(We have two restless teens.) 😉
Glad you’re here! Happy poeming.
whimsygizmo said:
PS: “Blurrrrsday” has actually become acceptable for all days, as well.
Ali Grimshaw said:
Love it. Humor is valuable.
whimsygizmo said:
At our house, humor is SURVIVAL. 😉
iidorun said:
Hello! Joining in this week…what day is it again? =) It is hard to write from the required six feet social distance. Thanks for this prompt, De!
whimsygizmo said:
It’s Blurrrrsday. Every day is Blurrrrsday now. 😉 Welcome! Glad you’re here!
susansleggs said:
D. Avery sent me over from Carrot Ranch with my little ditty.
44 words of closeness
Move away, you’re too close
Says the child in the back seat
Come closer, I want to look in your eyes
Says the smitten young man
Even six feet away is too close
Says the human during a pandemic
God, I’m waiting for closeness