
Hellooooo, Poets! De Jackson (aka WhimsyGizmo) here again with my favorite prompt, the Quadrille – that pocket-sized poem of precisely 44 words, including one word we provide.
In fact, today, I’d like you to take that a bit literally, and put a pocket in your poem.

Slip in a pocket watch. A pocket calculator. An air pocket. Some important pockets of time. Give it a Wocket, ala Dr. Seuss.
You could even go all Gollum on us.

Is it lint? Pocket change? Small smooth stones? A folded note? A grocery list? Fluff? Secret stuff? Whatchoo got? (Put it in your poem!)
Still feeling out of pocket? Don’t let this burn a hole in your pocket. Arm your poem with a pocketknife, or a pocketbook. Have a pickpocket come along. Shoot the 8 ball into the corner pocket for the win. Or grab a pocketful of Kryptonite, and rule the world.

Please to partake of a little pocket-poem inspiration:


Emily Dickinson

New to the Q? Here’s what to do:
Pen us a poem of exactly 44 words (not counting the title), and be sure to include some form of the word pocket. No need for rhyme, or rhythm, or even reason – unless you choose it. Post your poem on your own blog, and link up using the Mr. Linky below. Then peruse the blogosphere to read pocket poems by your fellow poets. The Quadrille is up all week, so be sure to come back and read and write some more!
By the way, something to look forward to in the Spring – Poem In Your Pocket Day will be observed on April 29th, 2027. ’Til then, let’s put some pockets in our poems, and carry them throughout the week.
Here’s some music for your ear pockets:
Natasha Bedingfield
Spin Doctors
Pretenders
Alanis Morissette
Ed Sheeran

Greetings, Poets. I hope you find some inspiration here. I am having a particularly troubling and emotional day today, but will be around to read when I can.
I’m leaving the keys on the bar, and plenty of drinks and snacks for all.
Thanks for your patience.
De
You are precious. I love your posts and prompts. I’m sorry you’re have a down day. 😦
… one made worse by my typo!
Thanks so much, my Friend. Appreciate you.
De, am very sorry to learn you’re having a difficult day. Can I help you out at the pub?
Thanks so much, Lill. Appreciate you. I would say just read and comment as you can, as I know others will, too. I’ll be around to read when I can today.
To top it off, WordPress is being testy today. I’m having trouble commenting here, as well as on other blogs. Will do my best.
De, I am sorry you are having a troubling day. Take care. Reading can wait.
Thanks so much.
❤️
Testing…
Hello De and All. Sorry your Monday isn’t going well, De. Hope things smooth out soon for you.
Thank you so much, Lisa.
{{{HUGS}}}
Thanks for the fun prompt, De. Guess it’s a difficult Monday everywhere. My nurse had an especially difficult time accessing my port this morning. We’re talking arms up & cough on both sides; head down and cough; lay all the way back. It was a lot. But now I’m infusing away and enjoying the music in this prompt. Hope you find some sunshine in a pocket.
that sounds like such a tiring struggle – hope your day gets better and better x
Thank you so much, Laura. The rest of the infusion went fine, and I’m home now with my pump. I’ll type up the poems I wrote while I was there, and then I’ll get to read the dVerse poets’ poems, so yes, my day is getting better and better.
Oh, man. I am so sorry to read this. So many healing hugs and prayers to you.
Thank you.
sorry to hear about your troubles De but thank you for the prompt which has many meanings hidden within. I’m late to the bar as have been sitting with a sick friend today and just arrived home and off to bed. Will try and read the poems tomorrow.
Thanks so much, Laura.
Praying your friend is feeling much better, and very soon.
I do like a little pocket 💞
Meee, tooo! Several, when possible!
😄
Oh, De! I’m so sorry to hear you’ve had such a troubling day! 💙
Thank you for hosting–great word!
Thanks so much, Merril.
You’re welcome, De!
Sending out a note to the Universe to empty your pockets of troubles, De.
Thanks so much, Dale. Some better today.
🤗
Great prompt, De!
Thank ya, Sir! Glad you found some inspiration here!
A pocket of joy this prompt, many thanks De.
Thanks so much, Paul. My pleasure.
❤️
hi all
only a day late to the quadrille party
hope today was better for you today De
read when i can
lots of catching up to do
rog
Hi, Rog. You can’t be late for the Q. The dance lasts all week! Enjoy!
Today has been some better, yes. Thank you so much.
Jennifer, I CANNOT get a Substack account signin to work for me, to save my ever-lovin’ life.
Here’s my comment on your beautiful poem:
“WOW. Jennifer, I simply love this, especially: “you give me your hands like fresh shoots fragrant with apple” De”
Here is my pocket – https://phoenix-em.com/mariyakoleva/pocket-quadrille/
Testing.
Whew. Thank goodness. Was locked out of comments once again. It’s been just that kind of week.
Just now posting my poem, very late to my own poem-party here. Thank you all so much for your kind words and patience this week.
The Q is open until Saturday, so feel free to join me in being a latecomer, or post a second poem!
What a wonderful array of poetry, quotes, and music, De! While I enjoy the poem about women opposing pockets, I must admit I don’t like pants that don’t have pockets in them.😄
Testing yet again.
Thanks so much, Melissa. I personally definitely read that women’s pockets poem as being tongue in cheek, and a poke at misogyny. But of course the entire point to poetry is that we all interpret things differently. 😉
Like you, I NEED pockets in my pants.