Tags

, , ,

Lillian here, happy to host Quadrille Monday at dVerse, the virtual pub for poets around the globe.

Here in the United States, we are fast approaching election day. Regardless of party affiliation, many are anxious about the results. When all is said and done, on January 20th, 2025, a new president will be sworn in on the steps of the US Capitol. S/he will repeat the same Presidential Oath George Washington took on April 30th, 1789. “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of the President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.”  One can easily claim, this is one of the most solemn promises made in the US, because it affects literally millions and millions of people.

In England’s coronation ceremony, kings and queens repeat an oath that has remained roughly the same for over 1000 years. Since William the Conqueror claimed the English crown after invading in 1066, the coronation ceremony has almost always been held at Westminster Abbey, presided over by the Archbishop of Canterbury. While the wording of the oath has changed as the power of the monarchy has waned and that of the parliament has grown, the monarch still swears to rule according to law, exercise justice with mercy, and uphold the Church of England.

In the western world, newly graduated physicians take the Hippocratic Oath, promising to treat their patients ethically, do no harm, and respect their privacy.

I’m sure you can think of many instances when folks make a promise or take an oath. For example, immigrants taking an oath of citizenship and people promising to tell the truth before they are questioned in court. (image below created in Bing Create)

An oath is indeed, a promise….usually a solemn promise. How would you define a promise? Its effects? Its degree of seriousness? For how long is it binding and under what circumstances can a person be relieved of its restrictions? Is the word “restrictions” applicable to the makings of a promise?

Alexander Hamilton stated A promise must never be broken.

Abraham Lincoln said Commitment is what transforms a promise into reality.

Marilyn Monroe said Promises are worse than lies. You don’t just make them believe, you also make them hope.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said Every sunset brings the promise of a new dawn.

Mae West stated An ounce of performance is worth pounds of promises.

Robert Frost wrote But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep.

So here we are, on QUADRILLE MONDAY – the day we write poems of exactly 44 words and are asked to include a particular word in the body of our poem.

If you haven’t guessed by now, the word I’m asking you to include in the body of your poem of exactly 44 words, sans title, is “promise”. You may use a form of the word, but not a synonym.

New to dVerse?  Need to be refreshed on the rules?

Here’s what to do:

  • Write a quadrille (a poem of EXACTLY 44 words, not including the title) AND include the word “promise” or a form of the word within the body of the poem. A synonym for promise does not fulfill the prompt. It must be the word, or a form of the word.
  • 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 post, I will gently remind you to do so. After all, this will increase your readership and comments, and others will find dVerse and hopefully join in the fun. If you do not add the TAG or link after my reminder, I will remove your post from Mr. Linky. I do not want to do that! So please do include the TAG or link at the end of your poem.