Hello dVerse Poets! Welcome to Quadrille Monday!
It’s Merril. I’m back, and today we’re writing short poems called quadrilles.
If you’re new to dVerse or the quadrille, it’s simply a poem of 44 words, excluding the title. This is a dVerse-created form. It can be written as any type of poem, rhymed or unrhymed, metered, or unmetered. You MUST use the given word–or some form of the word, such as seedling– in your poem (not simply the title). Today the word is SEED.
Here in southern New Jersey, at the start of May, spring has fully sprung. The first spring flowers are nearly gone, and the late spring flowers are blooming. Despite the crazy April weather—or perhaps because of it—everything is very green. Many people are working or thinking of working on their gardens, and farm stands have local asparagus and flowers.
Many plants are grown from seeds, of course. Did you know there’s a global seed vault in Norway close to the North Pole? Seeds can refer to reproduction and progeny or competitions (the top seed in a sports competition). You might prefer poppy seed or sesame seed bagels, or add seeds, such as fennel or cumin to your cooking. Clouds are sometimes seeded to help with rain. And don’t forget the horror child of the 1956 classic movie, The Bad Seed! I hope this has given you the seed of an idea.
For more inspiration, consider, Robert Frost’s lovely poem, “Putting in the Seed.”
You come to fetch me from my work to-night
When supper’s on the table, and we’ll see
If I can leave off burying the white
Soft petals fallen from the apple tree.
(Soft petals, yes, but not so barren quite,
Mingled with these, smooth bean and wrinkled pea;)
And go along with you ere you lose sight
Of what you came for and become like me,
Slave to a springtime passion for the earth.
How Love burns through the Putting in the Seed
On through the watching for that early birth
When, just as the soil tarnishes with weed,
The sturdy seedling with arched body comes
Shouldering its way and shedding the earth crumbs.
Or this excerpt from “Seed” by Kathleen Driscoll
“And now
in late summer, daughter,
you smile, holding a ripe watermelon,
cut in half, exposing the black
seed within its bright red heart.”
Or– Emily Dickinson’s “Longing is like the Seed”
Longing is like the Seed
That wrestles in the Ground,
Believing if it intercede
It shall at length be found.
The Hour, and the Clime –
Each Circumstance unknown,
What Constancy must be achieved
Before it see the Sun!
Remember YOUR poem must be exactly 44 words and include the word seed.
Here’s what to do!
–Write a poem of exactly 44 words, using the word seed.
–Post the poem on your site.
–Add the link for that post page–NOT your Web site or this post—in the Mister Linky below.
–Read and comment on others’ poems!
merrildsmith said:
Welcome to Quadrille Monday! It’s warm here with rain on the way. Perfect for planting some seeds. You might want something cool to drink. I baked some cookies, too–my mandelbrot, like biscotti with dark chocolate chips and cinnamon and sugar sprinkled on top.
I can’t wait to read what your poems!
Laura Bloomsbury said:
Good evening from the UK Merril and thank you for this prompt – a gift for any gardener. (Love the Robert Frost poem too). All seeds currently drowning in torrential rain at the moment so I’m enjoying feeling cosy indoors
merrildsmith said:
Enjoy that cozy feeling, Laura. I hope we just get rain and not thunderstorms later.
msjadeli said:
Hello Merril and All. *Just* got back from first having my first lunch out with friends since March 2020, then running various errands. I love the prompt! Will get settled in and set to writing soon to it. Happy Free Monday!
merrildsmith said:
Hi, Lisa. How wonderful to be out with friends! 💙
msjadeli said:
It was! I got to show off pics of my new grandbaby, M. Everyone had good news to share. If you have any of that biscotti with dark chocolate chips and cinnamon and sugar sprinkled on top left, I’ll take one to go with my hot coffee, please.
merrildsmith said:
That’s so great! Here you go–I’ll pass a few through. 😏 We call them Mommy Cookies because they’re my favorite.
msjadeli said:
YUM! This Mommy appreciates them also. Thanks!
merrildsmith said:
😋
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
I have sown some tomatillo back in January… and now it has grown so now I am just waiting for some warm weather so I can take it out.
merrildsmith said:
Oh, interesting. Sounds good!
kim881 said:
Good evening poets! Thank you for hosting, Merril, and for a word that will yield many inspired quadrilles this Monday! We had sunshine for a while this morning but since this afternoon it has been very chilly and rainy. Mandelbrot sounds wonderful with a hot chocolate, please. 🙂
merrildsmith said:
That sounds yummy, Kim. Here you go.
sanaarizvi said:
Good evening, everyone! Loved the prompt, Merril! 😀 I will have some of those delicious cookies please. Heading over to read and comment 💝💝
merrildsmith said:
Here you go, Sanaa!
sanaarizvi said:
Yayy! Thank you! So delicious 💝💝
merrildsmith said:
😋
little learner said:
What a lovely prompt, Merril! Off to sleep here in Southern Africa, but I’ll plant some seeds of poetry at first light. ❤️
merrildsmith said:
Lovely! I’ll look for your tomorrow.
Ingrid said:
Good evening Merril and all at dVerse! I would love to try your mandelbrot, thank you. I’m afraid I’m no gardener, so I had to turn my mind to other seeds…
merrildsmith said:
I’m not a gardener either. I just like gardens. I’ll pass some cookies through to you. 😀
Ingrid said:
Thanks Merril: I’ll happily enjoy a garden if someone else does the gardening 😊🌸
merrildsmith said:
Exactly! My husband is out there now. 😀
Helen Dehner said:
Sowing seeds … how appropriate for the merry month of May! Thanks for hosting, will return later today. A glass of pinot grigio would be lovely!
merrildsmith said:
Here you go, Helen. I look forward to reading yours later tonight or tomorrow morning.
rogblog666 said:
thank you Merril for a wonderful prompt . i enjoyed it with a hot chocolate and biscuits
merrildsmith said:
You’re welcome! Enjoy!😋
Sarav said:
Thank you Merril! So much fun. Oh my, I love Frost. “Earth crumbs” swoon…😉
Happy Monday 💕
merrildsmith said:
Thank you! I’m so pleased you like it. Yes, that Frost poem! Happy Monday to you, too!❤️
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
Some nice music for tonight
merrildsmith said:
I think our world could use more seeds of love!
msjadeli said:
YES, I love me some Tears for Fears. Sowing the Seeds of Love ❤
Gillena Cox said:
Luv the music
💗 💗 💗
rogblog666 said:
one of my teenage favouites.
RedCat said:
That song popped into my head too. Now I’ll be humming it until I go to sleep. 😀
Rachael said:
Hello everyone, I stopped writing poetry all through the winter months but have found my feet again now the sun has started shining again. I hope to be participating with dVerse regularly now!
merrildsmith said:
How lovely! Welcome! 🌸
Rachael said:
Thank you, and for the excellent prompt! ✨
merrildsmith said:
I’m so pleased you enjoyed it!
calmkate said:
inspiring ‘open’ prompt, thanks Merril … I’ll join Kim with the hot chocolate and a shortbread please!
Love how this pub caters to all needs 🙂
merrildsmith said:
Thank you! One of the benefits of a virtual pub.😏
calmkate said:
indeed, we all leave satisfied 🙂
merrildsmith said:
😀
Gillena Cox said:
A happy Monday evening. Lets plant a few mustard seed and stand under Poetree
much 💗 love
merrildsmith said:
Yes! ❤️🌸
Masa said:
I always appreciate your attaching some inspirational works to get poets in the mood. Something about Frost always makes me sit up and take note. Thanks for the gentle shove, maybe I’ll give it a shot!
merrildsmith said:
You’re welcome. I never want to influence people unduly, but sometimes it is good to see how other poets used a word or concept. Yes, give it a shot. The prompt is open for a few days.
robtkistner said:
Hello all! Wonderful prompt Merril, and thank you for hosting.
merrildsmith said:
Thank you, Rob, and you’re welcome!
Xan said:
Good evening, Merrill! A bit of silliness today, with a memory of a very small child before she learned that gardening was work.
merrildsmith said:
Good evening! I’ll be over in a bit to read. A bit of silliness is great!😀
Xan said:
Glad to provide it!
merrildsmith said:
😀
RedCat said:
Good evening Merril!
A spring prompt indeed. Even if I went for other seeds. 🙂
Those cookies and hot chocolate sounds very good!
merrildsmith said:
Any type of seed! I’ll pass some through. 😀
Ali Grimshaw said:
Great prompt, Merril. I also love the music video. Sewing the seeds of love. Yep, I am trying to do my part to plant love in the world.
merrildsmith said:
Wonderful, Ali! Thank you and you’re welcome!
Paul Cannon said:
Thank you Merril, I see you’ve planted some seeds. I love gardening but I also love the metaphor, I’m in need of a whiskey please.
merrildsmith said:
You’re welcome, Paul. It’s morning here, but I’ll pass the whiskey through. 😀
jewishyoungprofessional said:
Mmm, mandelbrot! Come for the virtual dessert, stay for the poetry? I liked this prompt too. Thanks Merril!
merrildsmith said:
You’re very welcome. 😊 We call them Mommy cookies at my house because they’re my favorite.
merrildsmith said:
I took a dinner break last night, but didn’t get back to reading. I’m catching up now!
Linda Lee Lyberg said:
Hi Merril- I’m late to the party. I had some commitments yesterday; among them getting my pneumonia vaccine. These days seem to be filled with doctors. Ah well, the joys of growing older. Love the prompt!
merrildsmith said:
Thanks so much, Linda. I’m still catching up from yesterday. 😀
M Jay Dixit said:
Hey Merril, thanks for hosting! I loved the prompt and I am late like always haha. See you on the poetry trail. ~ Jay
merrildsmith said:
Well, I’m still catching up from the poems from yesterday, so not late at all. 😀
De Jackson said:
I’m a little late to the Q party this week, but I’ve brought chips. {Chocolate, of course.} Back to read a little later today. Great word, Merril! 🙂
merrildsmith said:
Welcome to the party! How thoughtful to bring chocolate. 😀
kittysverses said:
Thank you for hosting, Merril. I enjoyed writing my piece. 🙂
merrildsmith said:
You’re welcome! 😀
kittysverses said:
🙂
Dennis Gray said:
Dandelions growing old
Should I ask the lord’s gardener
for direction
my dandelions think
they are sunflowers?
It was just a short term thing
now my dandelions
have grown white hair
Just like me
some have even lost
A seed or two or three
mostly on top.
merrildsmith said:
Hi, Dennis. Thank you for your poem and for joining us. 😀 If you have a link, please add it to the Mister Linky, so everyone can read your poem!
Shalini said:
This is interesting 👍😊
merrildsmith said:
Thank you.