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 :)

[Robert Trakofler]

well you got me on this one Mr. Einstein... rhyme, alliteration and imagery all in one pointy triangular shot into the soil of my minds eye:) what an odd looking flower reminds me of the wild tiger lillies here in PA

[Einstein Noodle]

one of my neighbors was picking up some wood i had cut and told me about them .. they grow up to 6 feet tall ... are native to my home here in Arkansas ... i'm honored by your visit sir! thanks so much for taking time and your great review ... "pointy triangular" ... that's so Bad Bunny ;)))))))))
E.

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

I love writing about extraordinary special flowers, such as Venus fly trap, fairy slippers wort, and this Turk cap Lilly and have poems on them yet to be posted here. So I admired your sublime abstract poem employing the flower. The ending line reads sensational. Kudos.


plz pleez do read and comment my newest poem too. I like to know poets thoughts.

[Einstein Noodle]

well thanks Big S! nice to meet you! I will definitely stop by your place soon ... yeah! flowers are groovy :)))))))))))))
E.

[Ken Simm.]

Got to say I don't care about the form. I just love this collection of beautiful words.

[Einstein Noodle]

ahahahaha ... i am not surprised good sir! so nice to have you stop by always ... glad the words at least got to you ;) love on ya my friend .. and an apple for horsey! :)))))
E.

[Sami Khalil]

Although the form is created by a wonderful poet as Richard, you are so creative with this form and subject matter. This tells me things are upside down in the great ole' USA nowadays, with right is wrong, wrong is right. We need to restore the dignity of the office, rights of the people and justice for all. Our laws should be applied equally and fairly. America will always rise and lead the world if we have good, visionary type leaders not merely managers and business type. To me visions, morals and ideals made this country great. An excellent take and message sir.

[Einstein Noodle]

I couldn't agree more with your review sir! with the exception of business people being in charge .. I have longed for that a long time .. but without morals and respect for the Creator .. no Nation will stand for long ... our society in the name of freedom now raises up immorality of all kinds .. applauds the lawless and violent .. yep .. we are in difficult straights to be sure .. thanks you so much for your really encouraging review Sami .. and yes ..Richard is exemplary .. he's the form man for sure ... and helped make sure this one fits all the requirements ;)
E.

[Sami Khalil]

Yes siiiirrrr. You are welcome. Be blessed...

[Troy Henson]

Love the format. Great imagery. Thank you

[Einstein Noodle]

and thank you for the visit and review ... the link to Richard's is in "my comment" ... he is the one that originated the form ;)
E.

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest E... Turk Cap Lillies are like people
“Spoken for” held closely like soft clouds of
Cherubs in Chapel prayer. gently, Pat

[Einstein Noodle]

you would know Patricia!! tickled that you found this one to read .. flowers and all .. they are impressive flowers indeed .. growing up to 6 feet and more ... love on ya girl! stay well .. stay safe!
E.

[Moonie]

The inverted triangle seems like the head of an arrow pointing towards the middle of the page- as if calling out the reader to "water" there.
"Our reds whites and blues subdued
middle ground's torn decoupage
from left to right is skewed"
As a centrist on the political compass, I couldn't agree anymore. There has been such a rift between the two sides and everyone around us seems so utterly polarized. There is no middle ground, no neutral territory, no scope for reconciliation. Some opinions are thrown around just to irk the other side, with no logic to support the claims. It's a sad time in the life of democracy where people are being forced to choose between either fascism or communism, both of which are failed regimens.

[Einstein Noodle]

those are the extremes ... so sad ..i agree with your comments .. it is bitter, vicious, false, character assassinations full throttle .. the heck with facts and policy and diplomacy ... i love your thoughts on the form's shape as leading to water .. everyone can use a cool drink .. to quench our tattered souls :( great review my friend! thank you for reading with clear eyes ;) love and peace Moonie ... love and peace!
E.

[emmajoy]

)' middle ground's torn decoupage.. from left to right is skewed .. .. ' ( context reads familiar! )

How I admire but am immensely envious of someone who can take on such a pointed journey and achieve such a glorious destination, Mr. Noodle! This is a superb dedication to a beautiful flower. Must visit Richard and see what you've seen, learned and more, my friend. Interim full marks as near possible to you. ' Must have take great patience and focus to obey the rules so delicately. As to your subject matter.. may we change the subject, please.. the sun's just shown its face. :)

[Einstein Noodle]

ahahaha yes ... the world does seem a bit tedious these days ... but dahlink .. we must vent with our pens eh!? thank you for such a delicious review ... i will take it to bed with me tonight and have happy dreams i am sure ;))))))))))))))))))))
E.

[emmajoy]

Mr. Noodle, sir, I vent far too easily, on and offline.. just one of my many faults, weaknesses et all. Keep safe.

[Einstein Noodle]

everyone knows you don't have faults Em

[emmajoy]

Believe me, there are one or few that could argue that out for a lifetime!!

[Einstein Noodle]

[emmajoy]

silence is a virtue, dear friend! :)

[Einstein Noodle]

Em .... its that damnable grey X ... it has its way with us no matter what I try to do ... sometimes it refuses to let me put a "

[Einstein Noodle]

see .. it did it again! cut half of what i typed out .. oh well ... love ya ... maybe it will leave this comment alone.

[emmajoy]

Whatever said or not is always appreciated!

[Neville]

this is a new one on me Gene... and my word sir, you are very brave.. my hat is off to ya and may never be donned again.. am so glad I was passing by today... beside the obvious, I reckon there is more depth to your words than necessarily meets the eye on first glance... I shall most certainly be returning for another viewing as soon as I have finished trying to get into me Toblerone :))))

[Einstein Noodle]

had to read up on Toblerone .. I have never seen it in our stores here in the US ... and Wiki tells me it is now owned by a US company ... interesting .. perhaps they plan on introducing it to us .. or .. I have simply missed it on the shelves ... not much for candy bars me self and rarely eat them .. this has gone through several edits; but I believe it is now in its final form .. I used the Swamp Lilly name as primary title and the poem now has the proper line spaces. Richard had not included that requirement in his instructions previously .. an easy fix. You are correct my friend .. there is meaning in there somewhere ;) always a treat to have your visits to me pages sir .. and i must add...your new avatar is quite distinguished .. hats off to you as well ... i think i am going to post this to FB too ... see if i can get my Cousin going off :))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
E.

[Neville]

one of the very few confectionary bars I used to enjoy... either sucked until nothing but honey & almond chips.. you gotta try it, if only the once...

I noticed the line spacing .. it does make a difference doesn't it.. Always a treat to find you have posted my friend...

Neville :)))

[Einstein Noodle]

down yer neck good friend ... i will look for the bar .. but i really don't think they are sold here in the US .. maybe they are in health food stores .. which i do not frequent .. health and beyond Buzz Lightyear! :)

[Neville]

and down yours too Gene ... dangerous places them health food stores :)

[adornoscousin]

I think the visual effect also guides me (or forces me) into one spot. The first line has the word horizon in it which connotates an expansive landscape but then I am narrowed and forced into a more confined space.

[Einstein Noodle]

how astute Cousin! i wish i could say i did that on purpose ;) but i think the form is supposed to do just that in theme ... when the two fit .. it works ... thanks for reviewing and its so nice to be getting to know you better.
E.

[adornoscousin]

Same here!