Poeticide

One more ballad, then I'll end it ...

I wrote a poem quick today
it got a bad review
'twas all I really had to say
I wept and whined boo hoo

Was not a sonnet rhymed so well
nor nature's song ~ Haiku
Cinquain Pantoum or Villanelle
of lost love writ for you

Had no time nor 'ambic meter
marked punctuation lines
presented art real bards prefer
or pretty font that shines

I sang a song naught freely versed
my styled freedom's way
it sounded stiff was not rehearsed ~
a poorly written play

I tried to write a ballad fine
but cried so did decide
my pen should die for life confine(d)
commit poeticide

2022

Author's Note

... until I resurrect it. Might need some help from John the Baptist for that!

A ballad should be written in iambic meter. I intentionally wrote one line in trochaic meter. Guess which one? No punctuation as I wrote. A tilde is a math symbol and I let the apostrophe hang since they aren't down on the line.

Reviews

[mattavelli]

Hello, William! :)
This is lovely rhythmic poetry, and a fun read. I feel you martyred section three to bloody the message here. Haha
All together, the rhythm, flow of feeling and phrasing make this my favorite of the poems you’ve posted here. And, it’s inspiring, as you’ve got words bouncing in my head tonight. Thanks for sharing

[William Michael Reeves]

You are correct sir! And thank you for not completely giving it away in case other curious readers consider the clue you provided. Glad you bounced my way. I'm finding that meter is easier to find in lines that are a little shorter. Helps with writing the sonnets in the future. Just messin' around here. Glad you enjoyed!

[Betty Hermelee]

Regardless of the style (well done) It seems you are frustrated with anything you write in this piece. You try this style and that one, and become angered at yourself for not getting it right, and receiving a bad review. so what? You write for your own creativity, not to compete with other poets.... that's being competitive which you know poets should not be; too personal for this. And certainly not worthy of poeticide!!!!
Best, B

[JE Falcon]

Someone once said that there is no such thing as a bad poem, but there are opinionated people.

[William Michael Reeves]

I might have to disagree with that. I've read some poems that are pretty bad. But no less a poem. And I guess we wouldn't share them if we didn't want an opinion. Though an opinion is only worth something to they who have it, poetry might be different. I do value the opinions I get. Good and bad.

[JE Falcon]

I, too, value the opinions I get. Good and bad alike, but a lover of proses may not be a good judge of rhyme, and vis-a versa. And the lover of Limericks may dislike any form of Haiku. So, I think we all have to know where we stand before we give advice. --- But, hey, what do I know? I'm a Limerick-ell Haiku-ist, that spouts rhyming quatrains of shadowy fables, and visual offerings of seasonal scenes. --- But we are working on perfection and I'm sure it will come as soon as everyone starts cooperating. LOL

[William Michael Reeves]

And that is why I like your poetry so much!!!

[lightsong]

The new changes add more effortless flow... "pretty font that shines " lol I hope this doesn't include me!

[William Michael Reeves]

I changed a couple words. Not sure why I didn't see them at first. Whined instead of sighed. You do like your pretty font all sprinkled with dust! Believe me, if I could use different fonts I would. Thanks again!

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Especially love last and first verses or stanzas
I think this poem is brilliant as is the new word poeticide
I make new words up like I’ve lost my pojo

[William Michael Reeves]

I just sped read your ten recent poems, and then you told me. I might have made up a few others. Transmunition. Maybe you lost your pojo in the transmunition of poeticide. It brings on many changes. Thanks Julie! I might have to resemble that remark, and live up to it. Keep my own pojo aglow!

[lightsong]

That's EXACTLY why I stay away from structured poetry. IF Richard ever finds out (please don't let him read 🙏) that I didn't know there is a Ballad and a BalladE, He will tell me to go and ask for forgiveness from the Poetry Gods! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Hilarious hilarious! one of your bests (call me silly now) and my pen commited a Poeticide since the moment where I didn't know how the "E" plays a big role more than being a vowel, obviously it MOVES for real, from a poem to a song🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[William Michael Reeves]

I'd say sillEE says it all sweetly! I'll see if I have a extra pen to send across the sea, to you, from me. To Gouwnie from Billigami

[Aura]

I say, never let one bad review get to you. Never commit poeticide which I think means never writing poetry again? Just keep on trying. It may not be a haiku, a villanelle, or a sonnet, but along as you are passionate about what you write, in some way the words just flow together. I enjoyed this read so much, it is a light hearted read, I love the made up word poeticide! It has a deep message too, never let one bad thing ruin your passion! Nice work!

[William Michael Reeves]

I believe if we use a word enough it becomes real. You know, once the phone asks if you meant that word and want to save it. It then becomes real. Write? Thanks Aura. Just playin' around with the form. Nothing serious. No need to call 911 or the crisis center. I'll call you if my pen is standing on the edge of the precipice.

[John the Baptist]

Poeticide? Does that mean the poet's self-snuffing? I certainly hope not. At any rate, this one had excellent rhyme and meter.

[William Michael Reeves]

Except the one line, right write? Thanks. Though we may write ourselves to death, at least we can write ourselves back to life.

[lightsong]

Please John! help him with some of your intelligent wisdom!

[John the Baptist]

Sorry, I don't do resurrections.

[lightsong]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[Patricia]

Great rhythm and rhyme and I enjoyed the content and title, always a surprise in your poetry, so much fun.

[William Michael Reeves]

Surprise is one of my favorite aspects of music. And poetry is music. Thanks for mentioning that. Surprise within a poem or surprise at the change in consecutive poems is what I strive for. Thanks Patricia.

[Patricia]

any time my friend! :) HUGS!