Hello to All who are gathered here today in the dVerse Universe, a site of pubtalk and poetry. This Monday is where You and Your Muse are prompted to write a Quadrille. The name for the quadrille form is taken from an 18^th Century dance, but as you may know, it is also dVerse’ poetic form of just 44 words (not counting the title) and includes one word the host provides to you. Today your host is me, Lisa, at the ready to serve drinks and snacks from the magic cupboard.

Over 2024, I’ve been reading Bono’s (2022) book, _Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story_. It’s not a book to be read quickly. For fans of U2, it’s essential reading. To learn the insider information on the lyrics and the context they were written within has been a deeply enriching experience. Hoping to have it finished by the end of the year.

The title of the book highlights a state of mind I’ve been trying to cultivate over the last couple of weeks. It speaks of not only surrendering to the now but to acknowledging we are all in this one story together. We are with each other. To exist within a feeling of community is a beautiful thing, from a cosmic level to here, at the poets pub.

The acknowledgment leads me to today’s prompt word: with.

With is such an inclusive word that it is probably in a zillion poems. I needed a starting point to narrow the field and found it in a list of influential women poets over time and over the globe. It was educational, enlightening, and enjoyable to read these poets, looking for ones that included the word.

Most have hopefully heard of TED talks. Their website describes its organization as, “TED is a nonprofit that shares educational and inspiring ideas with billions of people worldwide to catalyze change across individuals, communities and ultimately, humanity.” Born in 1983, Jenny Zhang offers a youthful perspective that is brash and powerful in, “ted talk.” I imagine that Jenny imagined herself up on the stage and what she would say if she were there:

from ted talk by Jenny Zhang

would it be so wrong to wish
everyone with global entry be grounded
until extinction is off the table
I don’t think I can date another
digital nomad or a normie with a dog
who doesn’t know what it’s like
to be too poor to buy their way
out of disaster

Next is an excerpt from an achingly beautiful love poem.

from A Love Song from the North by Sarojini Naidu

When swift to my side came the feet of my lover
With stars of the dusk and the dawn?
I see the soft wings of the clouds on the river,
And jewelled with raindrops the mango-leaves quiver,
And tender boughs flower on the plain….. 

Another excerpt from another achingly beautiful poem.

from Leda by H.D. (Hilda Doolittle)

Through the deep purple
of the dying heat
of sun and mist,
the level ray of sun-beam
has caressed
the lily with dark breast,
and flecked with richer gold
its golden crest.

The final excerpt describes watching flowers bloom; the poem ends with a wish.

from The Metier of Blossoming by Denise Levertov

Fully occupied with growing—that's
the amaryllis. Growing especially
at night: it would take
only a bit more patience than I've got
to sit keeping watch with it till daylight; 

The source of the poems are found at the title link. Learn more about each of these excellent poets by clicking on the link of the poet’s name.

Once again, we have come to the place where you put your proverbial pen to paper and warm it with your poetic spirit's will in words.

• Pen us a poem of precisely 44 words (not counting the title), including some form of the word with.
• Post your Quadrille piece on your blog and link back to this post.
• Place the link to your actual post (not your blog url) on the Mister Linky page.
• Don’t forget to check the little box to accept use/privacy policy.
• Please visit other blogs and comment on their posts!
• Have fun (but only if you want to!)