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Repeated

Write a single line of poetry to use as a springboard, then construct an entirely new poem around it using slight variations: words added, words removed, words rearranged. [Photo credit: Rishab Lamichhane]

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Responses to this Challenge

Dec 24
poem 3 comments challenge: Repeated

Race to Christmas

Fly out of bed
Hit your head on the fan
Watch as it swings 
Dress as fast as you can
Storm to your sister's room
Don't knock, lightly tread
Then bust through the hinges
And leap on her bed.
Shake up the bed
And scream there's a spider
(She'll wake and be mad – but efficient is nicer)
Then skipping with energy, your sister will strut
Go to your brother's room
and jump on his gut.
With an 'oomph!' and a 'hey!' he'll be up and okay
which is great cause it's eight,
it's time for the day!
Once he's awake then dive on your parent.
Yell really loud
Because who needs a larynx?
And this time the dog and the cat are excited
And maybe the neighbors cause their windows are lighted.
Your parent, or two, or grandparents, whoever
Will leap with a start like you twisted a lever,
Now – with sister and brother, parent or pops
With dog or a cat while your neighbors eavesdrop
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Posted: 12.24.20
Dec 16
poem 0 comments challenge: Repeated

Snow!


Snow, Snow Snow, how much farther can we go into the
Snow, Snow, Snow, how beautifully you fall
Snow, Snow, Snow, from a magnificent winters ball
Snow, Snow, Snow, you go to rest with ease
Snow, Snow, Snow, making blankets on the trees
Snow, Snow, Snow, creating ball fights and angels
Snow, Snow, Snow, with holiday jingle jangles
Snow, Snow, Snow, with hot cocoa on the side
Snow, Snow, Snow, build the forts in which we hide
Snow, Snow, Snow how much farther could I go?
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Posted: 12.16.20
Dec 08
poem 0 comments challenge: Repeated

Celebrating, Identifying, but not throughly Practicing

candles melt, I am running out of time

the husky rolling of R's in the only two prayers I know.

no torah reading, no smiling grandparents. 

How do i identify as something so close to me, 

yet I am so far from it?

the knife slices through the apples

Each slice is a close blow to my chest.

The wine on my pinky

drips down onto my white plate. another drop of regret 

dangling in the back of my throat.

How can i identify as something so close to me, 

yet I am so far from it?

A new year, or a day to atone

my religiousness, always monotone.

I try to think it's not my fault

two sides tore me 

nothing to bore me. 

Just the deep, swishy feeling 

I know i will never have a bat mitzvah 

That doesn't scare me. 

but how will i identify as something so close to me, 
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Posted: 12.08.20
Nov 14
poem 0 comments challenge: Repeated
Peter Gustafson's picture

who has seen the wind?






YWP week 16, Repeated (original poem by Christina Rossetti)



Who has seen the wind?

Neither I nor you;

But when the leaves hang trembling

The wind is passing through.
Who has seen the wind?

Neither you nor the fire;

But when the wind throws up the smoke

The wind is blowing higher.
Who has seen the wind?

Neither I nor bees on clover; 

But when the wind blows gently on the fields 

The wind is passing over.
Who has seen the wind?

Neither I nor the crows;

But when the wind tosses up dust

The wind is showing how it blows.



Who has seen the wind?

Neither you nor I;

But when the trees bow down their head

The wind is passing by.
Who has seen the wind?

Neither I nor the hare;

But when the wind fluffs his fur
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Posted: 11.14.20