The challenge this month was to write a wordplay poem. This challenge is based on one offered up by Nikki Grimes in May 2015 at Today's Little Ditty. Here's an excerpt:
When I first began to write poetry at age six, it was the result of wordplay. So try this wordplay exercise and create your own free verse poem.
When I talk about wordplay, I'm talking about studying a word from top to bottom, and inside out, considering every aspect of the word: What it looks like, sounds like, feels like. What it does, how it's used, etc. The idea is to bring all of your senses into the act. The poem you create may end up being complex and sophisticated, or very simple. But whether you're writing a nursery rhyme, or a complex prose poem for adults, wordplay is a valuable skill in the process of creating dynamic, original, poetry, or lyrical prose.
Since our theme this year is "In conversation," we were encouraged to choose a related word. Here's my first attempt at this.
Whisper
Whisper is a
hushed word
a shhhhhhhhhh
between the library stacks
and in church pews
Whisper is a
heart pounding word
finger pressed to lips
hold your breath
so you can't be
discovered
(but it's just an
active shooter drill)
Whisper is an
intimate word
forehead to forehead
nose to nose
lips to ear
sharing hearts and
secrets
Poem ©Tricia Stohr-Hunt, 2025. All rights reserved.
Tricia, these so capture the essence of the form---making me hold that word on my tongue a moment and think of all the ways its used in this world. ( including the tension in the second one, with the unexpected jolt of the shooter!) So glad you got these done despite being under the weather.
ReplyDeleteLove it!! Each stanza so vividly drawn -- the emotional context creates such immediacy. Second stanza is a surprising, heart-clutching moment.
ReplyDelete"whisper is a/heart pounding word" It sure is! Having been in a couple of those drills, I agree. I like the susurration of esses that remind us of the word itself.
ReplyDeleteTricia, your poem has all the beautiful quiet shhh sounds in it. "lips to ear" and the whole last stanza has such intimacy. Sweet poem.
ReplyDeleteFrom old to terrifying new to love - wonderful to see your 'whisper' gathering, Tricia!
ReplyDeleteYou took Grimes' summary ("from top to bottom, and inside out, considering every aspect of the word") and made it come true. Who knew whispers could take us on such a rollercoaster ride?
ReplyDeleteTricia, I love the intimacy of your poem. It draws us in and feels like a shared secret! : )
ReplyDeleteOof-- beautiful range for "whisper"
ReplyDeleteTricia, wow! I love the various moods and emotions here. The active shooter drill was such an unexpected moment of the harshness of some hidden things, too. I love the library stacks and church pews--it was like I could hear murmurs and whispers all around me as I read this.
ReplyDeleteSuch an "on the nose" poem. That surprise of that drill in the middle...it just grieves me for how true it is. Beautifully done.
ReplyDeleteThe drill brought back memories of when I was teaching, and we did them once a month. Even though we know it was a drill, it was scary. Your poem is beautifully written and brought a lot of emotion. I especially love that you ended with the tender lines "sharing hearts and secrets."
ReplyDeleteEvery word is beautiful, Tricia. I *whispered* it aloud...
ReplyDeleteLove "sharing hearts and secrets"
ReplyDeleteOof. That "active shooter drill" in the second stanza is so jarring...so true.
ReplyDelete(And again...I'm feeling like such a dork for ignoring/forgetting the theme of conversation. Sigh...)
I really love the shhh sounds.
ReplyDeleteTricia, the last stanza of your whisper poem was music to my ears. I look forward to reading the Poetry Sisters' March poems.
ReplyDelete