Hello dear poets and welcome to the Q! Michelle (aka Mish) here to set your muse on fire! Hmm….. sounds somewhat destructive so let’s reword that. Umm…..I am bringing you a fiery little word to add to your quadrille.

Today, your 44 word poem must contain the word “blaze” or a derivative.

When I chose the word, the obvious image came to mind of a massive, uncontrollable inferno, a raging forest fire relentlessly consuming acres of precious trees, or an even deadlier scenario. However, the word offers us other options. I didn’t immediately consider the balmy, blazing sun warming our skin or the stunning yellow forsythias that have blazed across our city in early spring. I’ve hiked quite a few trails, but almost forgot about those handy markers called blazes that keep me on the right path. I was not thinking about a blaze of publicity, a blaze of fury or guns blazing. The white stripe or blaze running down the center of a horse’s forehead was not on my radar either……AND I had no idea that “safety orange” was also known as blaze orange. How the blazes did I miss that?!

Here is an interesting use of the word in this poem by James Wright.

Lying in a Hammock at William Duffy’s Farm at Pine Island, Minnesota

Over my head, I see the bronze butterfly, 

Asleep on the black trunk,

Blowing like a leaf in green shadow.   

Down the ravine behind the empty house,   

The cowbells follow one another   

Into the distances of the afternoon.   

To my right,

In a field of sunlight between two pines,   

The droppings of last year’s horses   

Blaze up into golden stones.

I lean back, as the evening darkens and comes on.   

A chicken hawk floats over, looking for home.

I have wasted my life.

poetryfoundation.org

You may also use the word ablaze to light up your little poem.

  

Before you head off to blaze the poetry trail, please remember your quadrille must be exactly 44 words sans title. It can be written in any style and must include the given word or a form of it.

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