Quadrille Times Three

lillian

she-devil                                                     lived recklessly
among subhuman rats                           star on knees, alley squatter
throwing die, rolling kraps                   spark of luck in fingertips
collecting just desserts                          stressed, on edge
come on baby, deliver                             reviled by all who play her game

debutante of junkies, she’s lost it all.

stop-sign-1444975

Read three ways, always using the “debutante” line as the final line: 1. poem on left; 2. poem on right; 3. from left to right, all the way across as one poem.  Also uses semordnilap: one word, when spelled backwards makes a different word:  devil is lived; rats is star; kraps is spark; desserts is stressed; and deliver is reviled. Any way you read it, it is a Quadrille (44 words – no more, no less) that includes the word “spark” as asked for in today’s prompt at dVerse, the virtual pub for poets. De is opening the pub at 3 pm – come on over and write with us — or just imbibe the words of others!
Photo Credit: Michal Zacharzewski

65 thoughts on “Quadrille Times Three”

  1. Mish October 24, 2016 / 2:10 pm

    An impressive approach to the quadrille, Lill.
    Love the phrase “debutante of junkies” and how you placed the “spark” on her fingertips.
    Have a wonderful trip. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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    • lillian October 24, 2016 / 2:40 pm

      Thanks, Mish. So glad you enjoyed. I have tomorrow’s done and in the que….so even though we leave for 22+ hours in the air, it will appear. WIll try to get readings done today…a bit crazy. My suitcases are empty but there are “organizing piles” everywhere! 🙂 I will try to post as I’m certain the poetic muse will arise in so many places we are scheduled to see. The reading will be at a minimum I’m afraid. So apologies to you in advance — I do love your work! 🙂

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    • lillian October 24, 2016 / 2:41 pm

      Thanks so much, Bjorn. This one, imposed on myself by me alone, was a Sudoku for sure! But it was fun to do — and do — and do — and do! 🙂

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    • lillian October 24, 2016 / 3:52 pm

      Thanks, Victoria. Ooze me some extra hours in this day, please! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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      • Victoria C. Slotto October 24, 2016 / 4:15 pm

        I’m surprised you even found time to join in. Enjoy every moment of you amazing adventure.

        Liked by 1 person

  4. whimsygizmo October 24, 2016 / 3:09 pm

    WOW. I am truly floored by this, Lill…in all of its possibilities. Just wonderful.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • lillian October 24, 2016 / 3:52 pm

      So glad you enjoyed! It was like working a puzzle 🙂 Such a fun word to work with!

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  5. Shawna October 24, 2016 / 3:17 pm

    This is flipping bad-ass.

    Liked by 1 person

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  6. kim881 October 24, 2016 / 3:18 pm

    Fabulous quadrille, Lillian! I love the technicality of this quadrille – the clever three-way reading and use of semordnilap – and I love that line ‘spark of luck in fingertips’!
    A tour de force before you fly way on your trip – have a wonderful time. We’ll miss you…

    Liked by 1 person

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    • lillian October 24, 2016 / 3:54 pm

      Many thanks, Kim! Pausing with “sorting piles” all around me….and not for a Hogwarts assignment either. Suitcases are calling….just looking quickly here and hopefully to read tonight, with suitcases full!

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  7. Grace October 24, 2016 / 3:31 pm

    Very creative as to the form and message Lillian ~ That final line sums it all ~

    Have a good journey and enjoy !!!

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    • lillian October 24, 2016 / 3:54 pm

      Getting to the packing now…..glad you enjoyed, Grace. Will try to imbibe some sparkling words once my suitcases are packed! 🙂

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  8. Candy October 24, 2016 / 3:50 pm

    Hats off to you! Im amazed at how many ways this can be read.

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  9. Glenn Buttkus October 24, 2016 / 4:15 pm

    How the hell you found the time & had the energy to write this palindromic gem is beyond me. I don’t know where you’re headed on your trip, but you are so right, any travel fuels poetic caches for future writes; smile. I’ve just returned from 4 days at the ocean, & I’m high on negative ions.

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    • lillian October 24, 2016 / 4:58 pm

      Glad you enjoyed — and that you enjoyed your 4 days at the ocean — sounds grand! Just taking a break from packing — read your piece. He is an absolutely frightening creature – you are so right. Posted an explanation of what’s going on for me….and comments on your piece too. Sanity must return!

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  11. Brian October 24, 2016 / 4:17 pm

    This is a top-pot piece of poetry. Love the three way action and the twist in words. Have a great time on your trip.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • lillian October 29, 2016 / 7:45 am

      Enjoying Singapore – just posted a poem from here😊

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  12. Sanaa Rizvi October 24, 2016 / 4:36 pm

    My goodness❤️ this is absolutely out-of the- world (knock my socks off) gorgeous!! Bravo 😀

    Liked by 1 person

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  13. Glenn Buttkus October 24, 2016 / 5:23 pm

    Thanks for the explication of our “trips of a lifetime”. I spent 4 months in Sydney as an actor in 1977, & one day in New Zealand; envy your time there now. Have a ball !!

    Liked by 1 person

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  14. whippetwisdom October 24, 2016 / 5:24 pm

    Very well-constructed and clever Lillian, all that before your big trip too! Enjoy your journey :o)

    Liked by 1 person

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    • lillian October 29, 2016 / 7:47 am

      Thank you from Singapore! Just posted my first poem from this amazing place!

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  16. Bodhirose October 24, 2016 / 8:53 pm

    You have truly outdone yourself, Lill! This is amazing. Just one way is superb on its own and yet your managed a three-way. What a poor, lost soul is this debutante.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • lillian October 29, 2016 / 7:49 am

      Thank you from Singapore! Just posted my first poem from here…bop over and take a peek😊 Getting jet lag adjusted and truly enjoying this amazing place!

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    • lillian October 29, 2016 / 7:50 am

      Thank you from Singapore! Traveling for 40 days…just posted first poem from here. Monday we sail for Bali.

      Liked by 1 person

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  18. maria October 24, 2016 / 9:59 pm

    Woah.. this is a clever poem Lillian- the wordplay, the dimensions. Well done!

    Liked by 1 person

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    • lillian October 29, 2016 / 7:53 am

      So glad you enjoyed, Maria. Have been in Singapore for past two days — 30+ hours getting here! Just posted first poem from here. Monday we sail for Bali, then Australia. Upcoming posts will be from the travel muse😊

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    • lillian October 29, 2016 / 7:55 am

      Thank you from Singapore! 30+ hours getting here. Posts will happen periodically now – just did one from here. Monday we sail for Bali, then on to Australia! Come join me via my posts! 😊

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  20. rosemawrites October 25, 2016 / 3:03 am

    wow. wow, Lillian!!! you have created an epic 3-in-1 poem! geez! Woooow! and the final line. Bam!

    Liked by 1 person

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    • lillian October 29, 2016 / 8:01 am

      Late reply—30+ hours getting to Singapore! Just did my first post from here😊 Hope you’ll check in periodically to see what my travel muse shall motivate! So glad you enjoyed this one.

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      • rosemawrites November 1, 2016 / 2:23 am

        yaaay! I know i will lill. 😀

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  21. Sasha A. Palmer October 25, 2016 / 8:55 am

    You’ve painted a vivid picture..or two..or three 🙂
    An unusual quadrille, very interesting, Lillian.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • lillian October 29, 2016 / 8:02 am

      Thank you from Singapore! 30+ hours getting here – trip of a life-time in progress. Monday sail for Bali. Just posted first piece from Singapore. Come join me in my travels😊

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    • lillian October 29, 2016 / 8:04 am

      Thank you from Singapore! On a trip of a lifetime. Come read my first poem motivated by my travel muse😊

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  23. Forest Bather October 25, 2016 / 2:05 pm

    Trslly hard hitting words by sound as well as meaning, in addition to as explained. Amazing!

    Liked by 1 person

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  24. Linda Kruschke October 25, 2016 / 3:23 pm

    Wow! That took some thought or an incredibly loud muse to write. A thoughtful message as well.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • lillian October 29, 2016 / 8:07 am

      Thank you from Singapore! Arrived Thursday 2 AM after 30+ hours of travel. Just posted first poem from here. Monday we sail to Bali. Trip of a life time for 40 days! Come join me through my posts!😊

      Liked by 1 person

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    • lillian October 29, 2016 / 8:08 am

      Late reply…30+ hours of travel to Singapore. Just posted first “travel muse poem” from here. Come join me! PS: so glad you enjoyed this one!

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  26. sarahsouthwest October 26, 2016 / 3:28 am

    You used that structure so well, and so subtly, I didn’t even notice it the first time round. Love the “Debutante of junkies” – such a contrast in so few words.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • lillian October 29, 2016 / 8:10 am

      A delayed thank you –30+ hours traveling to Singapore. Glad you enjoyed this one. Just posted first travel muse poem 😊

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  27. katiemiafrederick October 27, 2016 / 12:20 am

    SpArks oF SHe
    Devil DaRKer
    thAn ShE Wolf
    hoWls..
    BrinGinG
    NoW A EmpTy
    MooN WhOle nOw
    luRinG wolfpack HOmE..:)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
      • lillian October 29, 2016 / 8:35 am

        I am indeed. Come see my first travel post and you’ll be in Singapore with me! Just posted tonight😊

        Liked by 1 person

      • katiemiafrederick October 29, 2016 / 10:28 am

        Thanks Lillian..
        Hope to make
        My way there with
        Your photos..:)

        Like

    • lillian October 29, 2016 / 8:12 am

      Late reply — from Singapore. Yes — the picture in this, any way you read it, is not a happy one.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  29. Rosemary Nissen-Wade October 28, 2016 / 8:50 am

    Brilliantly clever! And pertinent too. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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