Hello, dVerse Poets! Welcome to Prosery Monday! It’s Merril writing from southern New Jersey, where May is abloom with flowers–and hopefully, we’re finally through with frost and cold weather.

Prosery is a dVerse term for prose incorporating a given line of poetry. This can be either flash fiction, nonfiction, or creative nonfiction, but it must be prose! Not prose poetry, and not a poem. And it must be no longer than 144 words, not including the title. (It does not have to be exactly 144 words, but it can’t exceed 144 words.)

I’ve chosen a prompt line from Sara Teasdale’s poem, “May Day.” I think this poem is a tiny perfect jewel of a poem. There’s a wistfulness to it—the beauty of May tinged with the realization that it, and life are ephemeral. Of course, I know May is different in other parts of the world, but the line does not mention spring.

Here’s the line:

“For how can I be sure
I shall see again
The world on the first of May”
–From “May Day” by Sara Teasdale

You do not need to know anything about the poem or Sara Teasdale to participate, but I’ve included a link to the poem and some information about Teasdale below.

Sara Teasdale (1884-1933)
“Teasdale’s work had always been characterized by its simplicity and clarity, her use of classical forms, and her passionate and romantic subject matter. These later books trace her growing finesse and poetic subtlety. She divorced in 1929 and lived the rest of her life as a semi-invalid. Weakened after a difficult bout with pneumonia, Teasdale died by suicide on January 29, 1933. Her final collection, Strange Victory appeared posthumously that same year.” (Source: Poets.org https://poets.org/poet/sara-teasdale)

Remember: You must use that entire given prompt line for your Prosery piece. You may change punctuation and capitalize words, but you are not allowed to insert words between parts of the sentence.

Here’s how to take part in the Prosery Prompt:

– Write a piece of flash fiction or other prose of up to or exactly 144 words, including the given line.
– Post your Prosery piece on your blog and make certain to link back to this post.
– Place the link to your actual post (not your blog or web site) in the Mister Linky site.
– Don’t forget to check the little box to accept use/privacy policy
– Please visit other blogs and comment on their posts!

*** Thursday, 12 May, OPEN LINK NIGHT LIVE hosted by Sanaa! You may link one poem, as usual, whether you join us for the live session or not. ***