Hello Poets, friends and travellers.

Today I thought we should revisit a prompt from 2013 by Anna and use the concept of conceit. A conceit is defined as an extended and complex metaphor that creates that apart from creating an element of surprise. If a metaphor is used to enhance imagery the conceit is better suited to describe an intricate metaphysical or emotional subject.

I think that the conceit is best described by giving a few examples.

Because I could not stop for Death – (479)
BY EMILY DICKINSON

Because I could not stop for Death –
He kindly stopped for me –
The Carriage held but just Ourselves –
And Immortality.

We slowly drove – He knew no haste
And I had put away
My labor and my leisure too,
For His Civility –

We passed the School, where Children strove
At Recess – in the Ring –
We passed the Fields of Gazing Grain –
We passed the Setting Sun –

Or rather – He passed Us –
The Dews drew quivering and Chill –
For only Gossamer, my Gown –
My Tippet – only Tulle –

We paused before a House that seemed
A Swelling of the Ground –
The Roof was scarcely visible –
The Cornice – in the Ground –

Since then – ’tis Centuries – and yet
Feels shorter than the Day
I first surmised the Horses’ Heads
Were toward Eternity –

Here Emily uses a carriage journey to describe a person dying. What I am looking for in a conceit is to use a whole set of details of the journey to make the concept of dying an even stronger image.

I think a cenceit has to be exposed, we are not writing riddle poems (another time perhaps) A conceit can also be layered where the extended metaphor is used in parallel to what you are trying to describe

I found a poem I wrote from one of Anna’s prompt:

Hunter
by Björn Rudberg

I wander slowly on the meadow-grass
its straws bejeweled in a smell of dawn
on undulating hillocks smooth as glass.
I tiptoe softly, fingertips, cross perfect lawns

still soft with velvet, yawning with the moon
and by the lake, surprised, I meet the fawn
I step into your pond, as perfect spoons
together waiting for the lobster soup

we stay – when mornings shouldn’t end till noon.
I meet the eyes – a hunter ready for a coup
de grace, my spear is raised and then I thrust
entangled — tied together by the loop

of blood filled tenderness that turns to dust
we wait for signs, we crave again for lust.

By altering scenes from seduction and the hunter and setting them up in parallel the conceit is clear at the same time it describes a male view of lovemaking. It is also a reminder that the conceit is not tied to any form, you can use any classic form, free verse, and any length.

When you have written your poem, link up with Mr Linky with a link direct to your blog. Don’t forget to put a link back to dVerse.

If you want to leave a comment below, you may take part in the discussion. But also remember to visit and comment on the rest of the poems.

I realize that there are some connections to Ingrids Poetic’s prompt on writing with concrete imagery, and I realized that you can use that as one way to create extended metaphors.