Lillian here, hosting Poetics from beautiful Provincetown, at the very tip of Cape Cod, ready to have you compound me!
Compound words are an interesting part of the English language. Compounding occurs when two or more root words are joined together to form a new word. The most common are double compound words, however there are some triple compound words as well. In some cases, compound words are hyphenated; in many, there is no hyphen. For example: outdoorsmanship, and jack-in-the-box: two examples of triple compound words, one without hyphens, one with hyphens.
Today, I want you to compound me! BUT, there’s several tricks/requirements to this prompt.
- I want you to choose at least one compound word from the list below to use in your poem. You may choose to use more.
AND - FOR EACH COMPOUND WORD YOU DO USE, I want you to take apart the compound word within your poem. You can do that by a) putting the first half of the compound word at the end of a line and the second half of the compound word immediately at the beginning of the next line OR b) by separating the two halves of the compound word with punctuation. You MUST separate the two root words that make up the compound word.
- You may NOT put additional words between the two root words, and you may NOT add a letter to either of the root words.
- In other words, the root words must be used exactly as they appear in the compound word!
Here’s the list you can choose from:
crosswalk
handshake
armpit
underestimate
goodnight
honeydew
earthquake
cartwheel
moonlight
showoff
waterproof
moonwalk
nightlight
midnight
hotdog
daytime
starfish
sunburn
Here’s a quick example of what I’m looking for, using the compound word starlight:
I looked up and saw a single star.
Light my way tonight, I prayed.
I’m excited to see what you do with the prompt. So go ahead and compound me!
New to dVerse? Need to be refreshed on the rules?
Here’s what to do:
- Write a poem that includes at least one of the compound words listed above, following the caveats given in steps 2, 3 and 4.
- Post the poem to your blog AND add the exact URL for your poem to Mr. Linky below.
- REMEMBER to either TAG dVerse in your post, or include a link at the end of your poem that leads readers back to dVerse (https://dversepoets.com).
- If you do not TAG or include a link to dVerse at the end of your poem, I will gently remind you to add it and then, sadly, if you do not, I will have to delete your post from Mr. Linky. Sorry to be so tough on the rules…..but truly, this is how we extend the reach of dVerse and how you get more readers as well!
- Finally, we hope you’ll tour around Mr. Linky and read and comment on the posts of others. It’s always nice to get some feedback!
Photos taken on three of our annual stays here in Provincetown. Last one is from our deck yesterday. Same rental property for 22 years. Ptown never disappoints.
dVerse 
Hello Lillian… I will not be able to write today… I have to prepare my prompt for tomorrow, but I will try to bring in some compound words in my poem for thursday
Sounds like a good plan, Bjorn!
Happy Tuesday everyone! Coming to you from our beloved Provincetown…our annual two weeks here is almost over….back to Boston on Saturday. But today, the pub is open and a myriad of beverages are available. I’m also serving slices of key lime pie, a favorite dessert on many Ptown menus!
Looking forward to everyone compounding me!
Hi Lillian! Goodness, I like a key lime pie. Thank you for hosting.
A slice coming right up especially for you, Grace!
Clever Lil — sounds fun… thank you for hosting. I am leaving for my Cardiologist, as follow up to my heart operation. I’ll have a write when I return! 🙂✌🏼❤️
Just read your comment here. Just set my laptop down and said a little prayer for you, my friend. May all go well with your cardiologist. May your worries be eased and your body feel the calm of well being.”
Look forward to your write. Any time, my friend. No rush.
Thank you so very much Lil, for your caring way, and your friendship. 🙂 Dr. Gonzalez, my cardiologist, said all signs are positive. For one thing, I am no longer in breathing distress. My breath is steady and fulfilling, no longer struggling with shortness. He is putting me into a 6 mo cardio rehab. I will be vetted and tested May 30th, and start the program in June. I was in the program for 2 years, until Covid shut it down in 2020. That is how I got in trouble? I went sedentary and gained over 30lbs of water weight, most of which I have already lost. My heart and lungs had begun declining in function. But I feel better already, and being back in the cardio program should give me back some more of my heart health. regaining my positivity! 👍🏼
Glad you had a good report, Rob! Take care of yourself.
Oh so very good to hear your cardiologist is pleased with your progress….that doctor’s view is the one that counts!
Did you know or remember that my husband had a 6 minute cardiac arrest (not a heart attack) on October 14, 2013? I’ll never forget the date. Cardio rehab is a miraculous place….so very grateful for every day he and I share, here in Provincetown, at home in Boston, and just anywhere I am with him by my side. I’m sure you feel that way about your family as well.
So here’s to continued progress, leaving off those extra pounds, and many productive hours over the coming months in cardiac rehab….oh….and many peoms from you on dVerse! 🙂
Bless you Lil. So glad you were gifted more time together my friend! May it be much much more… 👍🏼 🙂 …fragile as it may seem, the heart is more rugged and resilient than we realize. I have had 3 heart attacks, 3 angioplasties, 4 stents, 1 cardiac arrest, which was followed immediately by 1 Pacemaker. Still here, and looking forward to being able to return to cardio rehab. It is reinvigorating. Hope you guys are enjoying Provincetown! ✌🏼❤️
Rob: for some reason my computer will not load your site from the Mr Linky link. hmmm….I’ve tried multiple times and I just get the whirring little circle. I’ll come back later this afternoon and try again. I for sure want to read your poem! 🙂
I am not certain why it wouldn’t load Lil, sorry about that. 😟 I couldn’t get the piece to my satisfaction, so I was doing some editing and rewriting in the background — but access is supposed to remain available. Perhaps not? But I have finished my editing now. Hope it opens. 🫤
After a few false starts, I finally pen’d one Lil… 🙂✌🏼❤️
Hello Lil and all…. some key lime pie sounds delicious. An very innovative prompt idea!
Key lime pie coming right up for you, Mish! Second slice out of the pie so the crust is intact 🙂 Yup — that’s me sometimes…innovative if not eccentrically original .
Loved the prompt, Lillian 😀 I am looking forward to reading/enjoying the responses. Key-lime pie for me please 💝💝
A special slice of key lime pie cut just for you, my friend. Third slice out of the pie dish, so the crust is intact and I’ve added a little dollup of fresh whipped cream on top! 🙂
Yayyy! Thank you! 💝💝
Lovely prompt, Lil – and wow, Provincetown looks beautiful.
Glad you liked the prompt, Sarah. And oh my yes, in all its moods, Provincetown never disappoints. Right now, as I type, some very dark and gray clouds are making their way toward us, separating layers that look like 1) dark grey ocean; 2) bright blue sky: and 3) dark grey angrier and angrier clouds creeping down into the blue. A storm is brewing….always fun to watch as long as we are inside 🙂
Did you know that all water is clear and it takes on color as it reflects what is over it? Hence the water now is deep grey….from the storm clouds overhead. On a bright sunny day, it is glistening blues into navy even.
hi Lillian
hi poets
thanks for a great prompt.
great pics of Provincetown.
took me to seashore holidays from my child hood.
rog
Glad you liked the prompt! Nothing like spending some time by the seashore to clear the mind of its lists and concerns. I do feel guilty at times though, with this happiness here. At other times, I look at the vast ocean, the shore that stretches for miles, and realize what a tiny speck I really am in the scheme of things!
Lovely pictures….the sea is always so expressive….your pie sounds to delicious for me…really.. I’d just get hooked…!.so, what does one drink by the sea I wonder…
Ah….I am so spoiled. I bring my Chemex glass coffee pot with a pile of filters, my small coffee grinder, and a -cup thermos. Every morning I make my decaf and, weather permitting, take it to the table on the deck and just marvel at the sea. In the evenings, a glass of wine caps off the day. The rest of the time, cold cold water. I must admit, I am privileged to have this place for 2 weeks every year. And after a 6 minute cardiac arrest suffered by my husband 9 years ago, I am graterful to share every day here with him….and at home too!
Hi Lillian! Glorious pics and key lime pie sounds delicious! The prompt was so interesting, that while compounding I lost track of time. Off to bed now. Please save me a slice. Will be back later to read.
Your slice of key lime pie is in the pub’s fridge, any time you want it, just drop in and help yourself. 🙂
So glad you enuoyed the prompt. Sweet dreams….see your tomorrow when you come back to read.
Thanks so much, Lillian! Mmm….yummm…
Okay folks, closing up shop in terms of my reading tonight. BUT, the key to the pub, as always, is under the flower pot to the right of the door. Come on in and help yourself to a piece of key lime pie, just waiting for you in the pub’s refrigerator. All I ask in return, is that you compound me by leaving a poem to the prompt. On the way out, replace the key so others can find it. I’ll be back in the morning to read your poems.
Oh, this was fun, thanks for hosting. I’ll be out reading all the wonderful offerings.
Glad you liked the prompt!
Good morning, Lillian! What a delightful prompt, I think I went over-the-top! Wish I could come to Provincetown for a slice of key lime pie…
Good morning Lynne! Just finished my early morning writing, on the deck looking out at low tide. 22nd Year renting this little unit on the ocean and we are never disappointed!
So glad you enjoyed the prompt. I’ll get back to reading in a bit. Making some more coffee now😊😎😊
Great challenge. I hope I got the gist of it. I’m behind with my reading, but I will be back to visit and comment.
Glad to see you here! I’ll be reading again in a minute 🙂
a hefty slice of key lime pie and a double whiskey please Lillian, thank you for the lovely list to choose from. If you separate a compound that makes it a compound fracture.
Good one!!! Pie and whiskey coming right up!
Challenging prompt, Lillian! I didn’t make the deadline, but here’s mine: