We are like lemmings close to the abyss – Alliterative verse


she’s volatile in soothing volumes,
with volcanoes deep inside

the whiffle as she whispers,
hides whimsiness beneath

she’s my summer substance,
with suaveness as a thin veneer

it hides her gruesome granite heart,
like growling moonshine beasts

we’re locked in our loneliness,
and lost on mountain roads

it’s leading us like lemmings,
we’re leaping from the edge

the wind from winter landscapes,
come whispers us to jump

and finally the falling,
our failing in togetherness

Are you jealous? by Paul Gaugain

Are you jealous? by Paul Gaugain

Today at dVerse form for all Tony has doing alliterative verse. Should be three stressed syllables and one unstressed on each line. I have chosen to present it as two lines broken at the caesura. It’s fun and has a lot of meaning for me, as most of the old Nordic poetry of the poetic Edda is written in this form.

49 responses to “We are like lemmings close to the abyss – Alliterative verse

  1. Great alliteration.. It certainly gives a nice rhythm to the poem. I particularly loved the verse- “she’s volatile in soothing volumes, with volcanoes deep inside” Good play of words.

  2. dang, i like the granite growling moonshine beast…great description…locked in loneliness is emotive…and the failing together…heh, i like that you used whiffle as well one of the words from the other night…nice…and i appreciate your encouragement…ha…far short, but hey…oy….

    • As a form I find it more challenging than meter… but the effect can be stunning… the alliteration really gives a rhythm. And of course some of the old poetry is still alive from the old Nordic writings.

  3. Somehow, after my own struggles with the form, it was quite a pleasure to just take a Nordic ride on the Beowulf carousel with you. I do love alliteration in a line or stanza, but somehow trying to figure out the stresses and the break befuddled me; like your effort immensely.

  4. Wow, Björn; that’s exactly what I was hoping for. This is fabulous. I just hope that everyone who tries this comes to read your work, because this is how it should be done … smiles

  5. Once again your brilliance shines. The “gruesome granite heart, like growling moonshine beasts” is awesome. I can’t do the form but I’ll do an alliterative haiku. I know it doesn’t meet the prompt but it’ll be my wee contribution to effort.

  6. she’s volatile in soothing volumes,
    with volcanoes deep inside
    Brilliant shot Bjorn! Love your word craft above. I’m still trying to come to terms of the requirements as explained by Tony!

    Hank

  7. “it hides her gruesome granite heart,
    like growling moonshine beasts”
    oh this is fantastic. you make it seem so easy – and i know it’s not. great work…

    • volatile – flighty
      whiffle – soft gust of wind
      whimsiness – to be whimsy
      suaveness – softness (from Spanish suave)

      — some of the words are quite rare and you have to go to a dictionary to find them.. or just google them

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