The NaPoWriMo prompt at Read Write Poem asked us to ponder metaphysics, while the one at Poetic Asides asked for some reflection on miscommunication. This seemed like a good time to try a fibonacci poem. The words I had only filled out a shorter sequence at the end. I decided I liked it that way.
- Euphorbia
__________________________
Whys
I
see
eager
young faces
around the fire
long ago and hear the childish
whys. Why do lions
eat gazelles
why do
cows
have
two horns
why must we
children behave and
why did our old grandmother die?
I hear echos of
answers spun
by grown-
ups
in
books and
bloody wars.
And me? I only
believe in
the whys.
__________________________
Again, I have to say you use form superbly ~ leaving that least sequence hanging? Just perfect!
‘I hear echos of
answers spun
by grown-
ups
in
books and
bloody wars.’
This poem starts so gently, making the impact of the unstated questions, being answered in books and by wars, so much greater.
why????? it is always the questions not the answers…nice one
I love this, especially the ending. I heard a little story on NPR this morning about “I believe” essays and had been thinking about what I believe. (One example given was “I believe in punctuation.”)
I believe your “And me? I only/believe in/the whys” is just about the perfect thing.
thanks for teaching me a new form..
Irene – I certainly didn’t come up with the idea. I borrowed it from others. But it’s a fun form to work with. Perhaps I’ll see one from you in the near future.