Imaginary Garden with Real Toads challenges us to write a poem
using the quite intricate syllable and rhyme pattern
used by Robert Herrick in his poem “To Daffodils”.
Transformation
A many legged eating machine
Receives a gardener’s curse
As it reduces living things
To skeletons. Or worse.
But hold!
As wond’rous things unfold:
What springs,
Refashioned and refreshed,
So far removed from what its been,
Forgives it for the rest.
---
© J Cosmo Newbery 2012
---
.
Originally I called this 'The Butterfly' but realised that
I have another poem of that name, so changed it.
Print this post
.
Originally I called this 'The Butterfly' but realised that
I have another poem of that name, so changed it.
I just love this poem, J Cosmo! So very true. All is forgiven when the butterfly emerges.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary. The structure gives it a real lilting gait.
DeleteTis good, J.C., and not a bit moth-eaten.
ReplyDeleteBravo! You nailed the form and what a gorgeous poem and subject!
ReplyDeleteI love how you achieved this and how you transformed this creature for us :D Well Done!
ReplyDeleteThis is excellent! You have achieved the flair of the original and the choice of 'Transformation' for your title gives the whole description the added level of meaning: what is true for caterpillars could be true for people too. I would have liked to see a second stanza, because this flowed incredibly well.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I was pretty happy with it too.
Deletelovely play on decay and rebirth
ReplyDeleteA beautiful poem ... loved it !!!
ReplyDeleteYou're a poet alright and an all right one at that ;)
ReplyDeleteHa! We had a garden this summer - I'm not sure my gardeners (my daughters and friend) were as forgiving as you. Very charming. k.
ReplyDeletehah! good one, wonderful.
ReplyDeletehow wonderful, I love it
ReplyDeleteLove this. You are right, to redeem one's self only (!) a more surprising beauty suffices.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful example of the Herrick stanza form in "Transformation", Well Done !
ReplyDeleteSo so good. I love it!
ReplyDeleteI really like this. Beautifully done!
ReplyDeleteI like the refashioning and refreshing ~
ReplyDeleteGood take on the form ~
Thank you.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, what once was a pest is now almost a pet. Well done, J. Cosmo, and beautiful rhythm in your Herrick stanza.
ReplyDeleteK
I'm late, but glad for the smiles this gave me.
ReplyDeleteAnd what a transformation it is! Lovely poem.
ReplyDelete