Thursday, November 14, 2019

Playing Around with Words

Have you ever been caught saying something that you think is funny or witty and it flops? As hard as I try, I just don't have the capacity to be funny so I turn to word play to bring a humorous touch to a poem. Since I try to live with a positive approach to life, I am well aware of what a toxic environment can do to the work environment. 

Meet my character who needs to unscrew her prunish facial expression.

Polly Pessimist found a home 
in a world of monochrome-
Colorless, faded jeans,
sour face, screaming teens.
Tried to step out for a spin.
Hit the ground, hurt her shin.
Whisked off to the hospital.
Doctor found bones so brittle.
Final thought: change your tune,
B-negative blood will be your ruin.

Doctor's Recommendation to Polly Pessimist: 
Turn your life around.
Drop the droopy frown.
Play your cards right.
It's an uphill battle fight.
©CV, 2019


   Words at Play Challenge for Today's Little Ditty Challenge

Thank you, Michelle H. Barnes, for bringing this challenge designed by poet Kate O'Neil to the poetry community. In the poetry playground, I can test my thoughts just for fun, bringing out the child inside.  In the DMC challenge, I tried out a pun (A pessimist's blood type is B-negative.), cliches, alliteration, and rhyme to compose a poem. I would love feedback on this poem. 

Thank you also, Michelle, for being the host of Poetry Friday at your blog site this week. 

As for nature, I saw my first snow of the season dusting the ground while traveling to the statewide ed conference this week. 

22 comments:

  1. Love it, Carol. Yes! Time to 'change your tune'! Hope that snow-blowing, winter entry has "changed its tune" too!

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    1. As we traveled south to my hometown, everything was back to normal. A November Autumn was here but those traveling north were greeted by Winter’s touch. 60 degrees and sunny here.

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  2. In my book, a sense of play is just as important as a sense of humor... maybe more so! You are a queen of poetry play, Carol. Not only in the writing of your poems, but in your presentation of them! Thank you for adding this frowny-faced gargoyle to our padlet!

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    1. I do like to experiment with digital presentations, Michelle. Thank you for your fun response. I am thinking about another poetry play creation but I will have to see what kind of time I have. Thanks for the challenge and host duties.

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  3. Love your playful take on the poem you wrote, Carol. Your pessimist's blood type brought a smile to my face, much needed at this time.

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    1. Ramona, thanks for joining me here. I am glad that this post caused you to smile. We all need a dose of optimism everyday.

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  4. How clever to consider a pessimist's blood type! You definitely brought a smile to my face with that B negative blood! Thanks for the reminder to get moving on this month's TLD challenge!

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    1. Good luck with your TLD offering, Molly. Will I see you at #NCTE?

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  5. I really like your poem this week! The flow and speed of the poem really whisked me away to Polly's world. Nice work!

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    1. Thanks, Tim. At first, I did not have my gargoyle digital but then searched for an image that would work and express what I wanted to enhance the poem. See you at NCTE.

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  6. "B-negative blood will be your ruin," and that gargoyles turned up grimace has given me a good smile–which is important in the midsts of all going on. Love it, and the image too, thanks Carol! ;)

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    1. Glad for your smile, Michelle. Stay warm in Chicago. It was a rainy day here but not that cold.

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  7. Ha! Polly, I might just know her.....isn't she a delight when she turns that frown upside down? Well played, you. I feel the same way about being funny. It's not so easy for me!

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    1. Love smiles! Thanks for joining me, Linda. When will you be at #NCTE? Text me.

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  8. That opening quatrain sets up this character so clearly, I can see her. I am a "B positive" -- always makes me smile.

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    1. The first set of lines came through easily but the ending had me stumped for a long time, Laura. See you soon.

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  9. Well done, Carol - and a lesson in there for us all, too.

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    1. I found the lesson put to good use today. Turned a could be negative situation to just a bump in the road, Tara. Have a good week with your lovely sheep. Stay warm.

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  10. Good advice, Carol! We all need it at one time or another. Thanks for this...

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    1. Thanks for dropping by Karen. I always like to live with a positive attitude. Today, we were faced with not so good news but I reminded myself that it is important to #bepositive so I turned the thought around and said to my husband, "This is just a bump in the road".

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  11. Awesome. This brought a smile to my day. Your pun was in vein but not in vain. Thank you!

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    1. Daniel, I always love your humor! Thanks for stopping by to read my post.

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