Welcome to the Q! Mish here as your host. The “Quadrille” is one of dVerse’s very own poetic forms and has definitely proven to be a favourite here at our virtual pub. The rules? Pen a poem of any style with exactly 44 words, not including the title. It must contain a given word within the body of the poem. That’s it!

It has been a steamy hot summer here in my town along Lake Huron, but it hasn’t stopped many from lining the bay, fishing poles in hand. I have a great memory from younger days of simply holding a large, nylon net under the Canadian side of the Bluewater Bridge and watching it fill with tiny smelt. Ice-fishing was another experience. The deep chill on the frozen lake was soon forgotten as I continuously pulled up yellow perch. All were eaten and delicious! Any other fishing adventures involved waiting patiently for one bite, then a quick catch and release.

So I was thinking….just for the halibut, let’s use the word “fish”. I’ll spare you from the rest of the fish puns (though they are fin-tastic).

Some words to play with – fishing, fisherman, fisherwoman, fishable, fishability, fishtailing, fishmonger, fisherfolk, outfish, fishy, fishiness, fishbones, fishburger, fish bowl, fishcakes, fisheries, fisheye, spearfish, fishlike, and of course there’s a huge collection of fish names that end with fish! Until now, I’d never heard of blindfish, devilfish, triggerfish, foolfish, guitarfish, ladyfish, ribbonfish, blobfish, moonfish, suckfish, or weakfish. Interesting! You may also dream up your own hyphenated word with the word “fish”.

As a verb, “fish” can be used beyond bodies of water as it relates to searching for something, feeling around to retrieve something lost or asking for something in roundabout ways.

Your poem does not necessarily need to focus on “fish” as the theme for quadrilles is always open. I like the way Naomi Shihab Nye blends it into her poignant poem, redefining the meaning of fame.

Famous

By Naomi Shihab Nye

The river is famous to the fish.

The loud voice is famous to silence,   

which knew it would inherit the earth   

before anybody said so.   

The cat sleeping on the fence is famous to the birds   

watching him from the birdhouse.   

The tear is famous, briefly, to the cheek.   

The idea you carry close to your bosom   

is famous to your bosom.   

The boot is famous to the earth,   

more famous than the dress shoe,   

which is famous only to floors.

The bent photograph is famous to the one who carries it   

and not at all famous to the one who is pictured.   

I want to be famous to shuffling men   

who smile while crossing streets,   

sticky children in grocery lines,   

famous as the one who smiled back.

I want to be famous in the way a pulley is famous,   

or a buttonhole, not because it did anything spectacular,   

but because it never forgot what it could do.

The Poetry Foundation

Now go cast your line into the poetry pool and see what comes up!

Here’s how to join in:

• Write a quadrille and post it on your blog or website.
• Enter your name and direct link to your poem in Mr. Linky.
• Follow the links to other poets. Read, comment and come back for more as the prompt is open all week.
• Kindly provide a link to dVerse so others can find us too.
• Drop into the pub to say hello.
• Enjoy!!