Tags
Greetings, poetical powerhouses! De Jackson (aka WhimsyGizmo) here, happy to be presenting today’s Quadrille – that tiny poem of just 44 words (including one word we provide) that packs a powerful punch.
Today, I’d like you to cinch your wee poem together using some form of the word pinch.
You can use it as a noun, verb, or adjective. Let your piece rhyme sublime, or sprinkle in a pinch of prose. Just be sure your poem has a total of 44 words, and some literal form of the word pinch is included.
In addition to the obvious noun, this word makes for some fabulous verbing:
If you’re still stuck, you could always “pinch” and pilfer one of these phrases as a starter:
a pinch of salt
pinching pennies
in a pinch
sharp pinchers
pinch me, I’m dreaming
scrimp and pinch
feel the pinch
just a pinch between your cheek and gum
pinched nerve
New to the Q? Here’s what to do.
Get those nimble fingers ready and pinch us a punchy little poem of just 44 words (not counting the title), including some form of the word pinch. Post your poem on your own blog, and link up using the Mr. Linky below. Then, travel the blogosphere to see what pithy little poems your fellow wordsmiths have pinched together. As usual, the Quadrille prompt is up all week long, so be sure to come back for more!
PS: Speaking of pinch…as this Quadrille breaks, I’ll be in the middle of a dental appointment. Sanaa has graciously offered to pinch hit for me as bartender. I’ll come ’round (with a brand-new crown) as soon as I can!
Meantime, happy poeming. Give this a listen:
Pinch Me, Bare Naked Ladies
sanaarizvi said:
Welcome to Quadrille Monday, everyone!
On the menu, we have peanut butter cups with amontillado sherry, a cheese crackers and fruit platter (dark chocolate pieces, strawberries, mangoes, apples and pears)
Or if you prefer, there is also coconut topped cream cheese sheet cake with coffee/tea of your choice.
De will join us shortly! Let me know if you’d like anything else.
See you on the poetry trail! 🩷
whimsygizmo said:
Thanks again so much, Sanaa. I’m alive! And (so far) no pain. Heading out to read a few poems now, and will get fully caught up tomorrow. Appreciate you so much. ❤
sanaarizvi said:
You’re most welcome, De! 🥰🥰
zipferlake said:
Good to hear and good and quick recovery.
Thanks for the prompt. Was fun!
whimsygizmo said:
So glad you found some inspiration here!
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
I am still having a white month… so maybe just a cup of herbal tea and that cheese and crackers.
sanaarizvi said:
Herbal tea with cheese crackers for you, Bjorn! 🩷 Good to see you 😀
Helen said:
I am guessing your white month corelates with our dry month … which I plan on adhering to. Always a nice way to begin the new year. So sorry I missed Saturday morning. My intent was good, my follow through lousy.
kim881 said:
Greetings poets on a very windy Monday; one storm has just passed and another is on its way. Thank you for this pinch of a prompt, De, it really got me thinking.
sanaarizvi said:
Greetings, Kim! Please do stay safe during the storm! Heading over to read you 🩷🩷
kim881 said:
Thank you, Sanaa. I’m staying indoors, keeping safe and warm.
sanaarizvi said:
🩷🩷🩷
msjadeli said:
Kim, stay warm in the storms. I woke up to several more inches meaning gotta get out there with the snowblower again…
kim881 said:
Yikes! Our snow is thankfully gone, but the storms are wild!
msjadeli said:
You know, I fear wind way more than I fear snow.
whimsygizmo said:
My pleasure, Kim. Happy to see you!
Grace said:
Hello from snowy Ontario. Sanaa, thanks for stepping in. May I please have the coconut topped cream cheese cake with hot chocolate.
Also thanks De for the prompt & Q word. Love the poems and quotes!
sanaarizvi said:
Coconut topped cream cheese cake with hot chocolate for the lovely lady! Happy Monday, Grace 🩷🩷
Grace said:
Thank you. Happy Monday!
sanaarizvi said:
You’re most welcome 🩷🩷
whimsygizmo said:
My pleasure, Grace!
paeansunplugged said:
Hi Sanaa and others! De, thanks for the prompt.
sanaarizvi said:
Hi Punam! Heading over to read you in a bit 🩷🩷
whimsygizmo said:
Hi, there! So happy to see you!
msjadeli said:
Hello Sanaa, De, and All.
Sanaa, a plate from the fruit platter sounds perfect, please. I already have hot coffee so all set with a drink. De, I love the Robert Graves poem ❤
sanaarizvi said:
Hey Lisa!
Cheese crackers and fruit platter coming right up! Happy Monday 🩷🩷
msjadeli said:
Thanks much, Sanaa. Happy Monday!
sanaarizvi said:
You’re most welcome! Cheers 🥰
Melissa Lemay said:
I enjoyed the Graves poem very much as well.❤️
whimsygizmo said:
I love that poem, too, Lisa. Cheers!
rothpoetry said:
A great prompt today, Di. Hope the needle did not pinch too much as you get your crown put on. On this cold day Hot Chocolate would be wonderful along with some chocolate chip cookies!
sanaarizvi said:
Chocolate chip cookies and hot chocolate coming up! 🩷 So pleased you liked the prompt today, Dwight 😀
rothpoetry said:
Thank you Sanaa. I did.
sanaarizvi said:
🥂
whimsygizmo said:
Not too much pinch (or aftermath) so far, Dwight. Thanks!
rothpoetry said:
:>)
Laura Bloomsbury said:
Nothing for me eat and drink wise as I can pinch more than an inch round my waist 😉 Enjoyable poems and prompt De- thanks for stepping in Sanaa
sanaarizvi said:
So nice to see you, Laura 🥰 I too am enjoying the poems so far! 🩷🩷
whimsygizmo said:
Hi, Laura. Glad you’re here!
Mish said:
Hello everyone 🙂 I would love a piece of your fabulous cake, Sanaa. I’ve just returned from vacation. New Mexico was a bit chilly but I’m happy to warm up to some poetry in the pub.
sanaarizvi said:
I will join you for some coconut topped cream cheese sheet cake, Mish! 😉 Happy Monday 🩷🩷
whimsygizmo said:
I shall join you both. Welcome, Mish!
lillian said:
Happy Monday, dVerseers, from San Diego where the sun, unusual as it is, has forsaken us today. Rain is predicted all day – with flash flooding in areas, but not where we are. Will stop back to read in a bit.
Oooooh Sanaa….I love anything that begins with the words “peanut butter cups”!
sanaarizvi said:
Happy Monday, Lillian! 🥰
Peanut butter cups with amontillado sherry for you! I am heading over to read what you have for us! 🩷🩷
whimsygizmo said:
Hi, Lill!
Helen said:
Greetings! How can I refuse that yummy sounding cake creation?! No pinches, a big piece please.
sanaarizvi said:
A hearty piece of coconut topped cream cheese sheet cake for you, dear Helen! 🥰 Happy Monday! 🩷🩷
whimsygizmo said:
Glad to see you here, Helen. Happy poeming! (And cake-eating.)
merrildsmith said:
Thank you De for the prompt and Sanaa for hosting! That cheese, crackers, and fruit platter sounds delicious. I might need a large glass of red wine with it. I said what I believe in my quadrille.
sanaarizvi said:
Red wine with cheese crackers and fruit platter coming right up! 🥰 Happy Monday, Merril! 🩷🩷
merrildsmith said:
They were delicious! 😊
whimsygizmo said:
Hi, Merril! Happy poeming! Heading out to read some soon.
merrildsmith said:
Hi De–hope all went well!
whimsygizmo said:
Just fine so far, Merril. Thanks so much.
merrildsmith said:
Good news!
writingpresence said:
hello De and Sanaa, I can’t resist a quadrille and that coconut topped cheesecake, with some fresh mineral water for thirsty me please. I’ve been out in the gaps in the windy weather securing lolloping branches of our overgrown fig plant. All storm-proof now, though some fencing came down last night… Stay safe everyone! Cheers!
whimsygizmo said:
Happy you’re here! Cheers!
sanaarizvi said:
Fresh mineral water with coconut topped cream cheese sheet cake coming right up! Happy Monday 🩷🩷
rog said:
hi all sorry I’m late been out to my local am dram theatre they are putting on a production of “the little shop of horrors” looks fun.
if I disappear I got a part.
night all
read when i can
whimsygizmo said:
FUN, rog! Keep us posted! And happy poeming!
rog said:
Thanks
Xan said:
Thanks for hosting De (and Sanaa). Pretty good prompt, in a pinch (I know, I’m not the first person to make that pun)
whimsygizmo said:
Ha, thanks, Xan! Happy poeming!
butungislayp said:
hi, everyone! sending you warmth from cebu! thanks for hosting di with sanaa. coconut topped cheesecake with hot chocolate for me please. will get to the quadrille in a few. keep safe! 💜
whimsygizmo said:
Happy Poeming! And cheers!
butungislayp said:
thanks and cheers! 💜
whimsygizmo said:
Gillena, yours is the blog I’m locked out of commenting on today, it seems. (There always seems to be at least one.)
I LOVE your title, and the phrase “pinch of morning.”
Rob Kistner said:
De / Sanaa — thanks for hosting. I wanted to offer something poetic today, but nothing came to mind… so that’s what I wrote about > NOTHING❕❕ Even included a little song about nothing. 🙂✌🏼🫶🏼
whimsygizmo said:
Loves me some poetry about “Nothing,” Rob. On my way over soon.
Frewin55 said:
Today I am presenting my first Quadrille though I have been in the pub now for nine months – be gentle with me…
whimsygizmo said:
Oh, Frewin, I’m SO glad! Beware, they are addicting! Heading over soon to read you! 🙂
kenhume31 said:
Hi De Jackson, thanks for the cool prompt! 🙏😁 Just posted my contribution to the prompt over on Mr. Linky there. Hope ye all enjoy the read! 🤞😁📖
whimsygizmo said:
Hi, Ken! Heading over soon. Cheers!
pvcann said:
Thank you Sanaa/De, a fabulous prompt.
whimsygizmo said:
Thanks so much! Happy poeming!
M Jay Dixit said:
Hello, De and Sanaa thanks for hosting. I’ve submitted my poem, I enjoyed the process, the prompt word is great!
whimsygizmo said:
Happy you found some inspiration here, Jay!
Stephen J Frankenberry said:
So, new here at dVerse and am glad I found y’all through another poetry site, Ben Alexander’s The Skeptic’s Kaddish, where he posted his own quadrille in response to the prompt.
I have done the same at my site (with a link to this one included in my post) and just in case I have missed something in the process of posting with Mr Linky or missed something else here is the link to it.
Give me the heads up in the missing of things by the way (a skill of mine).
poetisatinta said:
Great prompt 🙌
whimsygizmo said:
So happy you found some inspiration here. Cheers!
Ginny Brannan said:
Coming in a bit late. The Quadrille is a new format for me. I must admit, 44 words is a bit of challenge, a good one though!
whimsygizmo said:
They’re addicting, Ginny. Enjoy! And the Quadrille is open all week, so “latecomers” always welcome!
whimsygizmo said:
Wowee, gang! I’m overwhelmed by the number awesome poems as I step back into the pub this morning. I’ve come back for seconds, double-dipping as it were. Feel free to do the same! And don’t forget to come back and read latecomers.
Grace said:
This # tops it, whew! I am also seeing some new poets and hope they visit and comment on a few poems. Thanks again for hosting.
whimsygizmo said:
Always my pleasure, Grace.
De Jackson said:
Ginny, your poem is another one I can read, but can’t comment. I loved your take.
Grace said:
Hi De, I have tried many times to leave comments on your 2 poems but it does not show up. Your poems are superb as always.
whimsygizmo said:
Thanks so much, Grace. I understand completely. I had problems with two separate blogs this week. Sigh. I’ve double-checked both Spam and “pending comments,” and your comments aren’t in either of those places. Thanks for trying so hard. Not sure what the issue between WordPress and Blogger is, but it’s a rough one for me each time.
whimsygizmo said:
Nope, I take it back. They had gone to spam, and I just now found them. I had checked “pending” and one other place but NOT Spam. Jeez. I’ve approved them. THANK YOU, again!
Stephen J Frankenberry said:
Hey, figured out the posting to Mr Linky, just missed him at the bottom of the quadrille “Pinch” prompt page. Posted there my take and looking forward to more. Thanks!
Grace said:
Welcome to dVerse Stephen. Sorry for the late approval of your first comment. Hope you had fun with this one.
Stephen J Frankenberry said:
No worries, and I did have fun with this one. I’m just so happy I came across this site. Thanks again!
whimsygizmo said:
So happy you’re here, Stephen! 🙂
SelmaMartin said:
I’m #63 says Mr. L. Wow! Wonderful prompt. Thanks, De, Thanks, Sanaa… I added but here it is again: https://selmamartin.com/just-a-pinch-one-quadrille-two-quadrilles/ I’m nursing a headache so I’ll take a chai, please. Thanks. xoxo
whimsygizmo said:
Sorry to be so late in getting over to you, Selma. It’s been a crazy weekend. Heading over now!
whimsygizmo said:
Ooops. Never mind. I see now that I saw and visited your link (my fellow double-dipper, delightful!), but am just now seeing your comment here. Thankful for all the incredible poems this word prompted!