Happy Poetry Friday! Welcome, everyone! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.)
[ETA: Our older daughter had unexpected gallbladder removal yesterday, so I’ll be a bit behind in replying to your comments. (She’s doing okay but is in a lot of pain.) Looking forward to getting to them sometime over the weekend, though. Which, come to think of it, isn’t really behind for me!]
This month, our Poetry Princess challenge was the definito, using the form/definition that Heidi Mordhorst created. This is SUCH a fun form!
I decided to use a word I’d heard before but couldn’t quite define, until I looked it up again on our trip to Scotland. We visited the Hermitage, which had two follies in it: Ossian’s Tower and Ossian’s Cave. Here are some pictures from our outing in the forest. I can’t believe I didn’t get an exterior shot of Ossian’s Tower. Oh, well.
We all need more follies — art and fun for their own sake — in our lives!
Here’s my draft of a definito for “folly.”
I’m looking forward to seeing what my Poetry Sisters have come up with–right along with you guys!
Kelly
Liz
Sara
Tanita
Tricia
Andi
Mary Lee
Click here to see all our previous Poetry Princesses collaborations.
Also, would you like to write with us in October? We’d love you to! Here’s the scoop: We’re doing a Dansa! Its opening quintrain (5 lines) is followed by quatrains (4 lines), with a quintrain rhyme scheme of AbbaA and the quatrain bbaA. You’ll note that A repeats because the opening line of the first stanza is the final line of every stanza, including the first. Are you in? Good! You’ve got a month to craft your creation(s), then share your offering with the rest of us on October 28th in a post and/or on social media with the tag #PoetryPals. [I copied this invitation from Tanita–thanks, Tanita!]
The generous and creative poet, art lover, and anthologist Tabatha Yeatts is rounding us up today. Visit the Poetry Friday Roundup here!
25 Responses
“A thingamabob” is my favorite word in your definito. I love that your trip is inspiring poetry. What a joy!
Thanks, Margaret!
I loved seeing the stages of your definito on Patreon, Laura. You inspired me to try it myself. One of these days I’m going to figure out how to make my poems look as special as yours do!
Oh, that’s exciting–I can’t wait to see it! Hopping over shortly.
What fun to learn this new definition of ‘folly’, Laura. I’ve never heard of those architectural wonders built just for joy. And, how great to connect it to your wonderful trip!
Thanks! I didn’t do much writing ON the trip, but it’s nice to connect after the fact :>)
I TOTALLY agree that we all need a bit more folly in our lives! Here’s to a “thingamabob with no sensible job!!”
This reminds me of my One Little Word “whimsy.” I totally get the purpose of a folly like this…it’s inspiring, charming, brings delight and connection…love it, Laura, thanks for sharing. And hope your daughter is feeling better. xo
So, I love the rhyme in this. And “thingamabob with no sensible job” is perfection.
Take good care of your daughter! — and thank you for Folly; I love the idea of just for the joy of it!
Thanks! I just spent several hours getting her home from the hospital and all set up with med schedule, paperwork, etc. She’s in a lot of pain, but nothing unexpected, I guess.
I am still so enamored of your Scotland photographs; I love to look at them when I just need a breather. You guys went so many places that it took us ages to discover living there! But, that’s the joy of vacation vs. just where you live… anyway, this definito is so clever — the final stanza especially, though in Glasgow Scots people tend to say says “thingmy” — too much in a hurry to get out the whole handful of silly syllables. The subtle rhyme is lovely.
Hell to the no on “thingmy.” :>D “Thingamabob” is just so much more fun!
I love the rhythm and rhyme in the final stanza of this poem. It just fits perfectly with the whimsy of a folly. Best wishes to your daughter for a smooth recovery!
As other folks mentioned, I love “thingamabob with no sensible job.” The photo also made hearts flutter out of my eyes. I hope your daughter’s pain lessens soon.
Laura, I love the whimsical treatment of the word folly. Of course, I too love thingamabob with no sensible job! Here’s to more folly in our lives. I wish your daughter well.
What wonderful photos! I’ve always loved that a folly can be a concrete thing as well as an abstract one, and your last three lines set me jigging: “a thingamabob with no sensible job.” Actually that’s a pretty accurate description for ME right now!
Ha! A sensible job is not the same as a necessary endeavor. Your writing is necessary!
Fantastic definito–and so beautifully illustrated with that photograph. I love it! thingamabob is the best!
This is so lovely! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
I LOVE a definition that includes the term “thingamabob”!!
Oh, how I love:
A thingamabob with no sensible job!
And I wasn’t clear on this meaning for folly before, but I’ll never forget it now. Thanks, Laura!
Thanks for sharing your pics from Scotland, what a gorgeous tree and intriguing cave entrance–Looks like there’s a story waiting within that doorway… You really captured all sense of Folly and I love your ending line, thanks Laura!
I had no idea that “folly” had this extra meaning. (Secretly planning a folly for my back yard). How charming!