“Sunsets are loved because they vanish.”
--Ray Bradbury, From the Dust Returned
Sunsets seem less event than process. They
Are never now but always to be. Day-
Loved for swiftest instants. Then Night-treasured
Because they linger only in pleasure.
They wink. They zip horizons silently.
Vanish. Live forever in mind’s wide eye.
Author notes
A word on the form. The QUOTELLA begins with a quotation, which is reproduced in the first word of each line of the poem. The first two lines must be a rhyming couplet, as much the final two lines. The middle stanza's length is determined by the number of words in the quotation; and these lines may, but do not have to rhyme. The lines of the poem should re-state imagistically or imaginatively the essense of the original quotation.
For true masochists, there is the DOUBLE QUOTELLA, in which the words of the quotation appear as the first words of each line, reading down; and as the last words of each line, reading up.
A contest entry
- Sunsets Are Best {Shared}, Sunrises Are Best {Alone} by Death of the Author.
725 points, ended September 2, 2007, 46 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Sunrises and Sunsets by PureCountry.
875 points, ended September 9, 2007, 18 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 13 of 13
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Intriguing
to say the least. i am not familiar with the form. however I believe I will add it to my writing. I was pleasantly surprised after reading. Upon first seeing, I had some reservations. the piece is one that seems to seep into the mind slowly. Thank You for sharing this one in this form. Best of Luck to You!
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Thank you for the comments. It is an unusual form, one I don't use often, unless there is a quotation that so strikes me that I want to work with it for a while. It's worth the time...sometimes.
Appreciated the opportunity.
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A form I have not seen before, thank you for entering it into my contest. I love the line "they linger only in pleasure" x good luck and take care x
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Much appreciated the contest, the prompt, and the opportunity. The quotella isn't a common form but sometimes it works nicely. Thanks again.
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Interesting, Amera just did one of these.
I'm not a poet and have not done a Quotella but I do write down 'thoughts', not quotellas mind you, just thoughts, which interesting poems might invoke in me feeling wise, as yours did:
Sunsets compress memories horizon
Anticipation, passion's revival
As the sun seeks respite from mankind's deeds
It's rebirth, each morning, rekindles trust
Love's longing, seeking its purview
Reawakening fervent lust, at dawn
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Nice and nicely expressed thoughts ("nice" being among the highest accolades). Each couplet encapsulates; then the movement within and between the three brings us from "sunset" to "dawn."
The second stanza especially makes one pause for thought...there is so much that night covers, and yet there is always a new dawn. Very nice. -
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Okay, let's try this version???
Sunsets mark the moments as they vanish
Are memories as colorful as they?
Loved in the mind's eye, the purpose, the because
Because they mean much more, viewed with one loved
They whisper creation to all we are
Vanish, vanquished skies, painted with sunsets
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I was reading about your double Quotella, and that's real tough to do with 'because' in the statement??? But since I have nothing else to do in my hotel room;
sunsets enrapture our hearts then vanish
are rainbows and sunsets thought of as ~they~
loved ones solace dispels pain's doubt because
~because,~ known equation; sunsets are loved
they pretend secrets of sunsets just ~are~
vanish thy thoughts of collecting sunsets
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What a wonderful poem! The form was interesting but much too hard for me to try. Good luck in the contest!
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Haha... maybe I'll try this style ("for masochists") sometime when I run into the right quote. A nice write... took me a couple of reads to get the rhythm right as intended (i believe). It's one that grows on you!
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Yikes! I love this…. Thanks so much “prof” I never heard of this, it’s like an acrostic with full words. Call me the masochist because I simply must try the double Quotella. Now to be critical I better give my humble opinion of this poem or risk losing my title as “poetry bitch”. I think you rushed the first couplet as both end words seem out of place especially the word “Day”. I think you could have done it better. Allow me to try:
Sunsets are a process that ends the day
Are an event that comes but will never stay
Huh? Yes? No? Am I arrogant?
Love,
Amera ♥
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Distinctly not arrogant. Good perception. My thinking at the moment is to go with the original--with the period, then the word, there is a hesitant hovering on both rhyme words that I think I wanted...but your suggestion gives pause for thought.
I've done two double quotellas; I should recover in a hundred years or so.
The form first started (as far as I know) among the Science Fiction Poetry Association a number of years back; SF novels often do have the most intriguing utterances.
Thanks for the comment and the critique. -
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What Amera does not realize is that in life, there is 'arrogance' and there is 'talent', she fortuantly has talent, I, on the other hand seemed blessed with arrogance and audacity, however, I must admit, Amrea does have great audacity when she wishes to.
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