The Danger of Atonal Blues Played on a Chromatic Harmonica

Summary

The author shares a nonsense poem inspired by three prompt words – pedantic, posticulate, and monochromatic – and reflects on their experiences with a chromatic harmonica.

Abstract

The author begins by clarifying that the poem is a nonsense poem playing with words and not music. They then explain that the poem was inspired by three prompt words – pedantic, posticulate, and monochromatic – provided by Robin Klammer. The author shares their struggles with mastering a chromatic harmonica and their preference for a standard harmonica in one key. They also discuss the concept of monochromatic color and how it is rare in physics. The poem ends with a reference to Sonny Terry's "Hootin' the Blues" and the author expressing gratitude to Robin Klammer for the poetry prompt.

Opinions

The author admits to being pedantic in the past, constantly seeking opportunities to show off their vocabulary.
The author is unsure about the meaning of the word "posticulate" and suggests it may not exist in any dictionary.
The author struggled to master the chromatic harmonica and found it challenging to press the slide bar at the right times, resulting in atonal blues.
The author prefers a standard harmonica in one key over a chromatic harmonica.
The author suggests that true monochromatic color is rare in physics.
The author enjoys listening to Sonny Terry's "Hootin' the Blues."
The author expresses gratitude to Robin Klammer for providing the poetry prompt.

This is a nonsense poem playing with words and not music

Image by Hannes Edinger on Pixabay

I thought I should get that out of the way first in case you don’t want to stay and read my rubbish.

You can blame Robin Klammer throwing down poetic gauntlets — yes plural — three prompt words:

Pedantic

Posticulate

Monochromatic

She kindly offered multiple choice.

If you were paying attention to the title, you can probably guess which I picked.

But I couldn’t resist a little dibble in the other two first.

Now pedantic is something I used to be Constantly seeking opportunity To show off my range of vocabulary Educated at a private girl’s school you see

If you’re looking for A terrible bore Look no further than The girl next door

I asked her the meaning Of posticulate Lives in no dictionary Perhaps it is fictionary

Maybe Euclid can postulate Where did this word Originate?

Here’s my main dabble.

Chromatic harmonica I never mastered I bought one and thought I could play it if plastered I’m no Stevie Wonder Did battle and blunder Hurt so deep but now I am past it

I kept pressing the slide bar at all the wrong times Atonal blues screeched, wailed, disorganized crime When you’re singing the blues It’s far better to choose A harmonica in one key, the standard kind

Talking of color black and white can’t be seen Blue, red and yellow all hues in between Physics is emphatic True monochromatic Is as rare as a talking sardine

I’ll keep on blowing my Hohner Blues Harps Promise not to quibble complain or to carp Play to Sonny Terry Make music, make merry All shades welcome, we’ll have such a lark

Poetry Prompt

The Danger of Atonal Blues Played on a Chromatic Harmonica

This is a nonsense poem playing with words and not music

But I couldn’t resist a little dibble in the other two first.

Here’s my main dabble.

Sonny Terry — Hootin’ the Blues

To Illuminate, or Abominate?

That Is The Question!