Next Sunday is Valentine’s Day. It’s a super commercial holiday that many people hate, but I would never say no to red wine and good dark chocolate. In this pandemic year, however, we won’t be visiting any local wineries for the usual February wine and chocolate events. Nor will we be getting together with family and friends to celebrate birthdays. In our family, February is birthday month. When our daughters were young, we often had Valentine-themed birthday parties for them. My husband and mother-in-law also have birthdays in February.
In this time of global pandemic, most of us are not hugging people who are not in our bubble, and most of us are not going out and socializing. You might be embracing a loved one you are with, or you might be missing the embrace of one you’re not able to be with. Some people may be embracing new ideas, routines, or hobbies.
So, today I’m asking you to use the word “embrace” in a quadrille. The word can be used as a noun, verb, or a modifier.
If you’re new to dVerse or the quadrille, it’s simply a poem of 44 words, excluding the title. It can be in any form, rhymed or unrhymed, metered, or unmetered. You MUST use the word “embrace” or some form of the word in your poem (not simply the title).
Here are two poetry examples, lines from Walt Whitman and from Mary Oliver. I don’t want to influence anyone too much with numerous examples—though I know dVerse poets, and I’m certain I will be surprised by how everyone embraces this prompt!
“The sound of the belch’d words of my voice, words loos’d to the eddies
of the wind;
A few light kisses, a few embraces, a reaching around of arms;”
-- From Walt Whitman, “Song of Myself”
“It’s not the weight you carry
but how you carry it –
books, bricks, grief –
it’s all in the way
you embrace it, balance it, carry it
–from Mary Oliver, “Heavy”
Please do follow the rules and remember to link back to this post.
When you’re ready, post your poem, and add your link to Mr Linky, so that everyone can find it. Read the poems of others. You may be surprised by all the wonderful poets here at dVerse–and everyone appreciates it when others read their work and leave a comment.
Here’s Ella with “Embraceable You” to send you off–a lovely version with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra.
merrildsmith said:
Hi dVerse Poets! The pub is open. We had snow yesterday, but the sun is shining now. I’m ready for some virtual, poetic embraces.
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
Hello… we have had quite a long period of cold and snowy weather… during the weekend we went cross-country skiing, so the week seems to start out really well.
merrildsmith said:
That sounds fun (if I skied and didn’t mind the cold). 😀
msjadeli said:
Hello Merril and All. I enjoyed writing to your prompt very much, Merril. It started snowing here on Friday and hasn’t stopped yet. A faint powder today, but still… It’s been a chore keeping the satellite dish clear. A cup of hot cocoa would be perfect for today if you would please?
merrildsmith said:
Thank you. One hot cocoa. I’m passing it to you now. I added a cookie. 😏
msjadeli said:
Nummy! Thank you, and cheers!
Xan said:
We’re getting three months worth of winter in one 3-week marathon
msjadeli said:
I hear you, Alexandra!
merrildsmith said:
Not fun!
merrildsmith said:
Oh no!
sarahsouthwest said:
What a lovely prompt, Merril. I do miss hugging people…sending virtual embraces to my dVerse friends right now!
merrildsmith said:
Thank you, Sarah. Sending one back to you! 💙
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kim881 said:
Good day, poets, and thank you for hosting and embracing us with your prompt, Merril! We too have snow, it’s been blowing a small blizzard on and off and some of the roads around here are impassable with now drifts. The temperatures are sub-zero and I can’t wait for spring to arrive. A hot drink would be much appreciated this evening.
merrildsmith said:
One hot drink coming up! We have coffee, tea, mulled wine. . .
kim881 said:
I think a mulled wine would be wonderful, Merril. Thank you.
merrildsmith said:
You’re welcome. Here you go!
Tricia Sankey said:
It’s been snowing here so the word embrace sounds so warm and inviting. I will think of something over some coffee. Thanks for hosting Merril!
merrildsmith said:
You’re welcome, Tricia. You’re right that embrace does have a warm sound. Here’s some fresh, hot coffee.
Tricia Sankey said:
🤗💞☕
Linda Lee Lyberg said:
Hello Merril- thank you so much for a wonderful word! I hope everyone is doing well this fine day. It’s positively gorgeous here today- 72 degrees and sunny! I’ve taken Jax on two walks so far today- he’s a little ball of fire and is keeping me busy. The next best thing to a embracing those you love is sloppy kisses from a puppy. 🙂
merrildsmith said:
Hi Linda! You’re very welcome. I’m glad you’re having so much fun with Jax.
lillian said:
Thank you for hosting, Merril! I must admit, I can hardly wait for our turn to get the vaccine. Sadly, Massachusetts is one of the few states that has said ages 75 and up for this go-around. 65 to 75 will be next — so we wait. But I should not whine…there are many who have suffered so much more with this virus.
So instead….I am enjoying the sun! We had about 4 inches of heavy wet snow yesterday and a large hawk came to roost on a tree right outside our window. So fun to see him! I embraced that scene 🙂
Will get to reading a bit later today.
merrildsmith said:
We are still waiting for our vaccines, too. Seeing a hawk is special. I saw one the other day, as well.
Ingrid said:
Good evening: thank you for a heartwarming prompt, Merril! I look forward to being embraced by wonderful words.
merrildsmith said:
Lovely, Ingrid, and you’re welcome!
sanaarizvi said:
Loved the prompt, Merril! 😀 I have always loved the month of February, (because of Valentine’s Day haha) the weather is nice and chilly here ❤️ mochaccino for me please.
Hugs for fellow dVersians ❤️
merrildsmith said:
I’m glad you like it, Sanaa!
Older daughter and her wife actually got engaged on Valentine’s Day several years ago. And it was at Disney World–not what I would have expected, but they were very LBTG friendly. 😀 One mochaccino coming up!
sanaarizvi said:
That’s super cool 😀
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Ron Rowland said:
This prompt was easy to embrace. Thanks for hosting.
merrildsmith said:
Thank you, and you’re welcome, Ron!😀
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Ron. said:
I struggled a bit with this one. Not much of a hugger, I guess. Opted for an alternate, sort of hands-off take. Can’t wait to read the others, though. Thanks, Merril.
merrildsmith said:
I assumed many people wouldn’t write it as a hugging embrace. Thank you, Ron!
calmkate said:
Morning Merril I decided to give everyone a metaphorical hug … hoping your vaccines come soon. I will enjoy a special morning tea as our restrictions ease!
merrildsmith said:
It’s almost dinner time here, but you are very welcome, and here is a a cup of special morning tea. It’s special because it’s any type you prefer!
calmkate said:
yea that means nice and hot … that’s all that counts, but I see it’s ginger and apple, a favourite! thanks Merril
merrildsmith said:
You’re very welcome!
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RedCat said:
Good evening Merril!
Don’t know if it’s the passion awoken in dance class (the one being in the same room as others I allow myself) or things awoken by LGTB history month. Which we don’t observe in Sweden at all sadly. But I had very fun giving some naughtiness free rein.
merrildsmith said:
Yay! 😏
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anotherkatewilson said:
I love this prompt. It reminded me of one of my favourite poems, Judith Wright’s Woman to Man. https://allpoetry.com/poem/8521455-Woman-To-Man-by-Judith-Wright . So I used her line “the third that lay in our embrace” as my starting point.
merrildsmith said:
I’m so pleased you liked the prompt! Thank you!
Beverly Crawford said:
My first entry is in error and needs to be removed. I’ve re-entered correctly. Is there any way we can erase entry errors?
merrildsmith said:
I think I removed it now.
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Xan said:
Hello Merrill and poets! Had a rather intense day writing (for my job, plus some poetry), looked up about 5p and it had snowed. Again. Like inches and inches. I think imma a need a nice hot buttered rum.
merrildsmith said:
Sorry, I’m just seeing this, but here’s your hot buttered rum. It’s extra large! 😀
M Jay Dixit said:
Hello Merril, thanks for hosting. Great prompt!
~Jay
merrildsmith said:
Thank you, Jay!
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ben Alexander said:
Thanks, Merril!
-David
merrildsmith said:
You’re welcome!
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memadtwo said:
What a great distillation of our choices this year. Not sure I’ll have time for this, but I enjoyed your writing about it. (K)
merrildsmith said:
Thank you, Kerfe!
kittysverses said:
Hi Merril,
Thanks for the challenge, I’ve written two quadrilles for the same.
merrildsmith said:
Thanks, Kitty!
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pvcann said:
A poignant reminder of what has been lost in pandemic, the wonder and feeling of touch. A helpful invitation, thank you Merril.
merrildsmith said:
You’re welcome, Paul.
isaiah46ministries said:
Here is mine. https://isaiah46ministries.com/2021/02/08/embracing-being-the-matriarch/
galenaylor said:
Hi, wondering if you accept poems from Instagram or only from blogs/web? Thx – enjoyed the prompt.
merrildsmith said:
I don’t know, but I think it has to be from a blog/Web site. The link has to go in Mister Linky. . .
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laurahaynes99 said:
Lovely prompt fine dVerse people I have contributed and loving the fine efforts of others in this ace community
merrildsmith said:
Thank you so much! I’m pleased you’re enjoying it!
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