A Small Crushed Shell - Pantoum

For sharing of original song lyrics, together with haiku, sonnets and other unusual poetry forms. Although not strictly bush poetry, we welcome the sharing of members' compositions in these three genres, with a view to inclusiveness and mutual encouragement. Open to all Registered Forum Users. See Board Index for separate section on free verse and non-rhyming poetry.
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Shelley Hansen
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A Small Crushed Shell - Pantoum

Post by Shelley Hansen » Wed Oct 13, 2021 4:07 pm

Following suit after reading Maureen's recently posted pantoum ... this is a really interesting repetitive poetry form which originated in Malaysia/Indonesia in the 18th century. It's a challenge to have the repeated lines making sense in the context of the whole poem.

A Small Crushed Shell (Pantoum)

(c) Shelley Hansen 2020

I stooped to lift a small crushed shell.
It lay upon the golden sand.
I wondered how its shellfish fell –
with age or by a human hand?

It lay upon the golden sand.
No life within the washing wave.
With age or by a human hand
entombed forever in its grave.

No life within the washing wave,
yet once it graced the ocean floor.
Entombed forever in its grave –
a fleeting sadness touched my core.

Yet once it graced the ocean floor.
I wondered how its shellfish fell.
A fleeting sadness touched my core –
I stooped to lift a small crushed shell.
Shelley Hansen
Lady of Lines
http://www.shelleyhansen.com

"Look fer yer profits in the 'earts o' friends,
fer 'atin' never paid no dividends."
(CJ Dennis "The Mooch o' Life")

Ron
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Location: Blue Mtns.

Re: A Small Crushed Shell - Pantoum

Post by Ron » Thu Oct 14, 2021 12:57 pm

Well done Shelley! I must admit I had never heard of this form before until reading Maureen’s poem!
A pantoum, certainly a challenge, but I might have to stick with the sonnet for a while! :D

Cheers
Ron

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Shelley Hansen
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Re: A Small Crushed Shell - Pantoum

Post by Shelley Hansen » Sun Oct 17, 2021 9:05 am

Thanks Ron. It is an interesting exercise, examining some of these old forms of poetry. I've found that reading about them and trying them out has enhanced my appreciation for rhyme and metre - which in turn, helps me with bush poetry composition.

There are quite a few online resources which explain the various poetry forms and structures.

This is a really good website, easy to navigate, with examples of each form ... http://www.shadowpoetry.com/resources/wip/pantoum.html

Cheers
Shelley
Shelley Hansen
Lady of Lines
http://www.shelleyhansen.com

"Look fer yer profits in the 'earts o' friends,
fer 'atin' never paid no dividends."
(CJ Dennis "The Mooch o' Life")

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Maureen K Clifford
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Re: A Small Crushed Shell - Pantoum

Post by Maureen K Clifford » Tue Oct 19, 2021 10:34 am

Love it - pinching it - sharing it ..... I love Pantoums :lol:
Check out The Scribbly Bark Poets blog site here -
http://scribblybarkpoetry.blogspot.com.au/


I may not always succeed in making a difference, but I will go to my grave knowing I at least tried.

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Shelley Hansen
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Re: A Small Crushed Shell - Pantoum

Post by Shelley Hansen » Tue Oct 19, 2021 11:36 am

Thanks Maureen - yes they are quite alluring!
Shelley Hansen
Lady of Lines
http://www.shelleyhansen.com

"Look fer yer profits in the 'earts o' friends,
fer 'atin' never paid no dividends."
(CJ Dennis "The Mooch o' Life")

Ron
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Location: Blue Mtns.

Re: A Small Crushed Shell - Pantoum

Post by Ron » Wed Oct 20, 2021 2:50 pm

Thanks for the link to the Shadow poetry website Shelley, It is very good! and really informative as to all the different forms of poetry.

Cheers
Ron

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Shelley Hansen
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Re: A Small Crushed Shell - Pantoum

Post by Shelley Hansen » Sat Oct 23, 2021 8:20 am

You are very welcome, Ron. It is a good website. I refer to it often.

Cheers
Shelley
Shelley Hansen
Lady of Lines
http://www.shelleyhansen.com

"Look fer yer profits in the 'earts o' friends,
fer 'atin' never paid no dividends."
(CJ Dennis "The Mooch o' Life")

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