I hear the hushed sounds of the crowd
as they prepare to cry aloud
when I appear in smoke and mist.
In sequined suit I dress the stage
no longer trapped in feathered cage
to give illusions an assist.
I serve as a delightful prop
as feats continue without stop;
magician as funambulist.
The modern acts have changed the form,
and girls like me are not the norm.
Performers like to work alone.
They mystify a newer way
Not needing me to help delay
the apogee for which they’re known.
So I am left with country fairs
where old magicians show their wares
with tricks the viewers have outgrown.
Author notes
The Nove Otto poetry form was created by Scott J. Alcorn. It is a nine-lined poem with 8 syllables per line (isosyllabic). The rhyme scheme is as follows: a.a.c.b.b.c.d.d.c.
Famulus: an assistant, especially to a magician or a scholar.
Funambulist: one who puts on a show, especially of mental agility
Apogee: culmination, climax
In a list
A contest entry
- Word of the Day IV by Gaffer.
450 points, ended November 5, 2008, 10 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
How do you think I could improve this poem?
Comments
1 - 7 of 7
-
Overall, a cute poem. Choosing a rhyme scheme can make writing a poem a very hard thing to do, especially with other constraints as well.
I think you did alright with the rhyming, but not perfect. I don't know whether or not I would have chosen to rhyme, but I suppose in this case rhyming really does seem to fit the theme of a magician's stage performance.
I enjoyed the imagery of the sequins and the metaphor of the feathered cage.
The word choice was good, and I enjoyed the second stanza more than the first. I love the shift from the first to second stanza, from the girl being an important sequined prop, to the second stanza where she is doing parlor tricks with a has-been.
Overall, a really fun piece to read
-
Wonderful! The form is very interesting and fits the content very well. I love the story line, too, kept my interest the whole way through. I look forward to reading more.
-
An excellent portrayal of this fading art..and an excellent smattering of words seldom seen. I loved it!
-
I think it must be a good feeling, magic and illusion
at the tap of a hat, (so to speak) A good poem rhyme and flow. It brought to mind some old long gone artists, sadly missed in our sex worn world of entertainment,
-
There are magicians still able to make a living, but they seem few and far between nowadays. I had never paused to think about the Famuli[?], they have become nearly extinct.
Your Nove Otto seems a little sigh of lament for the fantastic costuming and showomanship that was an essential feature in years gone by. Excellent rhyming, enjoyable introduction to some delightful words and a form new to me. Thank you.
-
The magician's assistant is a prop and diversion like everything else - there are old magicians but few old famuli. Thanks for new words, these are delicious. The Nove otto is new to me too, two for one and well done.
-
A most apt and pensive penning with enviable meter and diction, but I would not expect less
From an English teacher.
A fine example of verse my dear.
mj.
Adding your comment:
1 - 7 of 7
