Swamp Lilly (also known as Turk Cap Lilly)

lilies many times represent purity, innocence and virtue and so is used here in contrast to the poem.

                             

                                                                              

    

 

                                       "Swamp Lilly"

Orange soot horizon waves a grey mirage

  A decoration of a morass midden rule

    Our reds whites and blues subdued

      middle ground's torn decoupage

         from left to right is skewed

            sustaining such distance

              harsh flesh is strewn

                 Rant rift railings

                   rising in tune

                    holding you

                      tightly in

                         lieu

7/20

E.

                                

Author's Note

This form is one of Richards originals:
"NABLA DEL"
an original poetic form
created by Richard W. Jenkins
© 12 Dec 2001

In the shape of an upside down (inverted) triangle, this form must be centered for full effect, but may be aligned left or right when formatting will not permit center alignment.
There is no set syllable count per line, but each descending line must be reduced by (at least) two letters, until there is one word at the bottom, and a smooth sided inverted triangle has been produced.
12 Lines total are required in the following order:
1 … Opening/Introduction Line
2 … Quatrains (4-Line verses)
1 … 3-Line Closing Verse (triplet)
Rhyme scheme is: x, xbxb, xcxc, xxx (x = no rhyme). But, by author's choice, there can be more rhymes, as long as the required minimum rhyme scheme is met. A space between L1, each quatrain and the closing 3 lines is also required to meet Richard's form.

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

So pleased I waited to view on my computer rather than phone. The splendid form was completely lost on a small screen. Now I can see it in all its inverted perfection and magnificent it looks too. I have never attempted a poem which has such a visual impact with its words. So clever. I love your lilies. We have some in our garden. I have always called them tiger lilies. They remind me of one of the characters in Rupert Bear stories I used to read a long, long time ago. Tiger Lily was a Chinese friend of Ruperts. As for the poem itself, I see this as being a statement of the political situation in your country. Extremes on both political sides, red and blue and the middle ground is left infertile. Not a healthy situation and quite a contrast in comparison to the purity of your lilies. Politics can stink at times. Happy Independence day Mr E. Hope you are having a very happy day, despite the politics and the covid. Sending my best to you. We have similar extremes over here.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

spot on Chris! that's exactly what I was trying to convey .. the middle ground use to be the place where things got done ... too much of the wrong stuff going on these days ... love your thoughts and review .. much appreciated! My 4th was celebrated but subdued .. parades and gatherings typical in prior years of course canceled ..but I got together with a few neighbors and lit a few crackers :)
E.

[Chris Shaw]

Good for you :)

[Lisasview]

Hi there,
I have made the decision to try this table Del form...I think you did a splendid job... Really doesn't seem all that easy!
Lisasview

[Einstein Noodle]

there isn't any form that is easy for me .. they all demand a certain discipline that i have wrestled with all my life. .. balance is cool .. did you perceive any "message" in this one? just curious :)
E.

[Lisasview]

Good morning,
Oh gosh, this is really a challenge, but then again I do love puzzles, etc. Not only the right words but the triangle..yikes...I am having one heck of a time.
You asked what I thought the meaning is. Well, as I love metaphors I have a few thoughts.
I feel that is is about what is going on in the world... So crazy ~right.... Also I feel that this is also about life and death... White lilies which I used in an older poem of mine represents death.
Just reread your poem and now I find it to be quite sad... and again what is happening everywhere in our world....Poems can have all sorts of affects on the reader.
Love the image you used...
Lisa

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you for that Ms. Lisa ... much appreciated .. and you are pretty spot on as to the about life ... especially in our times these days in the good ol' USA .. love and peace!

[Miss Sharon]

I love the poem and the form...that looks rather challenging. Yet you make it look easy! ~Sharon

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you Sharon .. glad you liked it... strict forms are very challenging for me anyway .. Richard helped tidy it up big time .. also very satisfying to go through the process and getting it done ...finally ;))))))))))))))))
E.

[lightsong]

I just noticed that I missed some of your poems, I was reading and will try to leave my words beneath them, a very lovely shaped poem dear E, You did a great job here.

[Einstein Noodle]

thanks Light .. for taking time to look around me pages! This is a form is one that Richard created and he helped me with it on some details .. it was not easy .. i will tell you that .. very restrictive to hold to the form and still make some sense of something ;) thanks again and always for stopping
E.

[lightsong]

"very restrictive to hold to the form and still make some sense of something" yes and that's the KEY! and You were patient and didn't give up, with a Master poet and teacher like Richard the road must have been tough yet joyful, and all for the best result ;)

[Ladysue]

An wonderfully visual form. Can’t be easy to do. Your poem says it like it is. Day after day political pollution and more. It is so disheartening.There is nothing much anymore that even echos middle ground or reason. It’s sad. Brilliantly expressed.

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you for reviewing m'Lady ;) i am gratified this comes across clearly for you ... and, of course, i share your sentiments .. thanks again for reading and letting me know what you think :)
E.

[Coyote Poetry]

A wonderful poem for the swamp lily. I liked the photo too. We have the river lilies and the river wildflowers in Michigan. So beautiful. Thank you my friend for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Einstein Noodle]

glad you enjoyed the read John .. and thank you for taking time to leave your comments .. love and peace!
E.

[Coyote Poetry]

Always my pleasure to read your work. I will semi-retire in October. More time to read and write. You are welcome.

[Einstein Noodle]

congratulations Coyote John! I am happy for you .. I have been fully retired for about 7 yrs.. i love it .. lots of time to re-invent one's self ;)

[Sara]

The title got me since it's my favourite flower :)
The form is alluring but so are the words!

[Einstein Noodle]

hi Sara! what a delight to have your visit .. they are pretty bold flowers aren't they! growing up to 6 feet tall ... do you have any planted near your home? they are native to Arkansas and grow wild in the woods but it was one of my neighbors that turned me on to them ... I am thinning trees from around the cabin (fire safety) and he uses the logs to heat his home .. he brought some seeds over for me and I planted them near my dog Bella's grave site out back ... she passed last October :( thanks so much for taking time to read and comment .. love and peace!
E.

[Sara]

Yes, my garden is full of them! there's a species called Lilium carniolicum (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lilium_carniolicum) that is native to my country. You can find them all over our forests.

Oh my god, I'm so sorry for your dog. She's in puppy heaven over the rainbow and I'm sure she's looking over you :)

[Einstein Noodle]

yes ...she is .. lately her "nephew" Beauregard has been showing some of her behaviors ... yes...i believe she is with us in many ways ;) thank you for your heart my friend!

[Corset]

could be a top spinning, I bet Richard is impressed that you remembered the exact date, and that you included the copywrite symbol, in lieu of what or whom begs the question :D It kinda has a political flare but then ends on a romantic note, mmmm love and politics, a debate with these topics could feel more like a twister than a top :P

[Einstein Noodle]

hi Corset! thanks for taking time .. as to top or twister ... the both spin don't they ;) its political .. very interesting you see a romance in it ... but hey .. both can be quite the ride ... lots of ups and downs ... and sometimes we get burned eh!? you have a fine day today and always my friend!
E.

[Corset]

maybe it was the last stanza

[Einstein Noodle]

:) ................

[Laura Kate]

Fantastic! Such a clever piece, and so fascinating to look at. Lovely imagery.

[Einstein Noodle]

thanks for stopping by LouBelle! I appreciate you taking time to read comment ..glad you enjoyed .. forms are a challenge for me but with help from Richard it was also very gratifying to do .. thanks again for taking time .. peace and joy
E.

[Ayvid N]

Loved this innovative form! Even more, the starkly different way the beautiful flower is viewed here through your poetic lense, taking a welcome break from the norm. All in all, a stunning poem, visually and literally, dear E!

[Einstein Noodle]

thanks so much for your kind words .. much appreciated my friend ... and again . so happy you are finding time to hang out .. right here at the Cafe" :)
E.

[Richard🖌]

WOW (not a word I often use), Gene!

You've taken this challenging Shape/Concrete Form and created a virtual little masterpiece, making it your own in your always thought-provoking style. And, it's inverted delta shape is spot-on … simply marvelous!
What an honor it sincerely is to have a poet of your stature and popularity compose in one of my forms, performing such an excellently laid out and presented result … love your picture choice of the Turk's Turbans, too. The title, "Swamp Lilly", is far more fetching, though, I think. Plus, the imagery of your always grammatically mystifying syntax paints an impacting political picture in the mind and heart.

KUDOS to you, My Friend, for a successful challenge, well accepted and done! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Einstein Noodle]

life is complete now sir!! ;) but you well know it would not be so fit to form had you not offered you input when I asked for it ... but i can not be more happy ... that you enjoyed and approve the final product .. yes .. the title is much better this way .. I don't know why I did not think of it right off ... thanks so much for checking in on this final product .. you are always a grand inspiration for all who know you .. be well and keep staying safe out there Richard .. peace and joy!
E.

[Richard🖌]

Peace and joy to Thee, as-well, My Friend ✌