Years ago, after winning a poetry award, I decided I should take a poetry class or two and figure out what the heck I was doing. I had come to poetry as an appreciative reader and wrote as such. I wrote poetry like a musician who can't read music, but plays by ear. I obviously had some ability, but no actual knowledge of the art form. The couple classes I took -- one through Colorado Free University and one with Lighthouse Writers -- were very informative and fun. I was challenged to write in styles I didn't even know existed.
To celebrate the season, I thought I'd share one of my assignments. This is the only pantoum I've ever written... so far, anyway. If you don't know what a Pantoum is, see if you can figure out the pattern before you look at the Wikipedia link.
AUTUMNAL PANTOUM
© Trinity Demask
An old friend knocked on my door today,
the screen door thumping in announcement
over the playful, pulsing wind
as it swirled around the house.
The screen door thumping in announcement,
the wind chased its tail
as it swirled around the house
shaking loose the first-browned leaves.
The wind chased its tail
in a cloudless, cobalt sky,
shaking loose the first-browned leaves.
Cool air kissed my cheeks in greeting.
In a cloudless, cobalt sky,
bright against the changing trees,
cool air kissed my cheeks in greeting.
I inhaled deeply of the sweet breath of chimney smoke.
Bright against the changing trees
sunlight streamed in challenged warmth.
I inhaled deeply of the sweet breath of chimney smoke,
and overhead, departing geese chanted good-byes.
Sunlight streamed in challenged warmth
unwilling to relinquish the throne of season
and overhead, departing geese chanted good-byes.
I smiled in remembrance, acknowledging . . .
Unwilling to relinquish the throne of season
the sun blazes despite the crisp arrival.
I smile in remembrance, acknowledging
old friend Autumn knocking on my door.
