Down Life’s River

Summary

The web content presents a poem titled "Down Life’s River" which is a Dizain, accompanied by acknowledgments to contributors of a publication called Literary Impulse and an invitation for fellow poets to explore uncommon poetic forms.

Abstract

The provided text features a poem called "Down Life’s River," which is an example of a Dizain, a French-originated poetic form consisting of a single ten-line stanza with ten syllables per line and a specific rhyme scheme. The poem reflects on the journey of life, comparing it to a river that has grown swift and treacherous, with sharp rocks and steep drops, yet offers a glimpse of hope with sunlight shining before an impending fall. The author, whose name is not disclosed, expresses gratitude towards Somsubhra Banerjee, Elisabeth Khan, Priyanka Srivastava, and Nachi Keta for their contributions to the growth of Literary Impulse, a publication that encourages poets to experiment with less common poetic forms. The author also provides a link to an article by Somsubhra Banerjee that offers instructions for writing in these unconventional forms and tags several individuals, inviting them to engage with the prompt.

Opinions

The author appreciates the collaborative effort in shaping Literary Impulse into a notable publication.
There is an encouraging sentiment towards fellow poets to explore and write in rarer poetic forms.
The poem conveys a metaphorical view of life's challenges and the beauty that can be found within them.
The author values community feedback, as evidenced by the invitation for comments regarding the tagging practice.

A Dizain

Photo by William J Spirdione

I don’t think I remember that first stream Where raindrops fell upon this barren land And dripped from fern draped ledge of ancient dream, Once gathered up, this journey home was planned. The river’s grown so quick it can’t be scanned. Can’t see my way across, depth can’t be gauged. Look out, sharp rocks, steep drops, the current raged. Life’s pleasant beaches turned to granite wall, With fewer handholds, yet my fear’s assuaged. A glimpse of sunlight shines before the fall.

This poem is an example of a Dizain, a ten line single stanza poem, ten syllables per line, form originating in 15th century France, written with the rhyme sequence, ababbccdcd.

Thank you, Somsubhra Banerjee, Elisabeth Khan, Priyanka Srivastava, and Nachi Keta for making Literary Impulse the publication it has become. If any of my fellow poets would like to try their pen with one or more of these more uncommon poetic forms, the prompt instructions are in Somsubhra’s following piece.

UNCOMMON POETIC FORMS

Down Life’s River

A Dizain

Uncommon Poetic Forms

Would You Give It A Go?