I Spent The Day With The Little Prince

Summary

The web content describes the author's day spent in the spirit of The Little Prince, focusing on the joy of rhyme and the creation of a villanelle poem inspired by the character, despite the challenge of adhering to poetic form.

Abstract

The author reflects on a day filled with the whimsy and contemplation reminiscent of "The Little Prince," engaging in mundane tasks like laundry with a poetic twist. The day's experiences are woven into an attempt to write a villanelle, a structured poetic form, which the author approaches with a flexible interpretation of syllable count and a commitment to rhyme. The piece concludes with an invitation to others to join in the "Poember November" challenge, emphasizing the power of rhyme and rhythm in poetry, and expressing a desire for communal creativity.

Opinions

The author finds the day ideal for pleasing The Little Prince and engaging in reflective activities.
There is a playful acknowledgment of the struggle to conform to the strict villanelle structure, with the author choosing a compromise of 12 syllables per line.
The author values the importance of rhyme and rhythm in poetry, as evidenced by their dedication to the villanelle form and its rhyme scheme.
There is a sense of self-deprecating humor in the author's admission of enjoying syllable counting and their use of the acronym "SMH" (shaking my head) when discussing their poetic endeavors.
The author expresses gratitude for the opportunity to write and share their work, and they extend a warm invitation to others to participate in the poetic challenge, indicating a community-oriented approach to writing.

It’s all about the rhyme in my ordinary day

Clouds: Shepherding of Sheep — Photo by Author, created on Canva

Upon rising, one lookup by way of the yard, and my mind was set: It was the sort of day, sure to please even one as pleading as The Prince starred

On such a day, his Little Highness would do grand to abstain from grilling with curious allures ’Twas a day of answers — best to lower his guard

Genteelly, couth. And like me — dare not dishonor; surely, the perfect day to do the wash. So, moored I employed the services of the clothes washer

Twice it lumbered meekly to my finger’s adjures the sound of the beep came not a sec premature — the blaring sun blessed my batch of neat line-dried garbs

At midday, shoed, ready for the walk I had earned, the fresh wash sat idly, folded in piles. Bonjour! At the door, empyreal blue demanded regard

The shepherding of his majesty’s sheep, unheard. The moment he asked that I draw him a sheep, pure— I’d have given one look up, bowing, “Sheep? Your herd, Little Prince.” Nodding, he’d have smiled at the shepherd

I set out to write a villanelle — you know the form— 19 lines, split into 5 tercets (three-line stanzas) and 1 quatrain (a stanza of 4 lines). But again, the poem wouldn’t cooperate with my *adjures.

There is no fixed number of syllables for each line in a villanelle, and I seem to do better when I’m constricted. Perhaps that’s why I failed today. So, I compromised with lines of 12 syllables — that’s how much I enjoy counting syllables. SMH.

I also followed the rhyme scheme of the villanelle: each tercet, ABA; the final stanza, ABAA. I hope you enjoyed it.

*to urge or request (someone or the gods of poetry) solemnly or earnestly to do something. Adjures is a word I learned minutes ago. TYVM.

Happy November, everyone. Let’s keep the rhyme and rhythm going throughout the month.

PROMPT RESPONSE | POEMBER NOVEMBER

I Spent The Day With The Little Prince

It’s all about the rhyme in my ordinary day

Below are the words from Carolyn Hastings that gave me permission to submit this poem:

Poember November

It’s all in the rhyme