A woman’s intrinsic abilities
far surpass chauvinist suppositions.
Our daughters understand. Empowerment
means control. Bodily autonomy.
Your assault, revoking Roe-versus-Wade,
wakes anger. Volatile independence.
Rain, lightning, thunderbolts, precipitate
storms. Crashing. Disturbing complacency.

Written for dVerse, the virtual pub for poets around the globe. Today Laura asks us to consider couples, writing a poem in couplets. She presents a number of forms that are based in couplets including the Rhopalic Couplet. First used by Homer in the Illiad, the Rhopalic Couplet contains two lines. In both lines, each word progresses adding 1 more syllable than the preceding word in the line. The lines need not be rhymed. So for example
x xx xxx xxxx
x xx xxx xxxx
I found this quite tricky to do! Another poetic sudoku for me. Image from Pixabay.com
Writing any kind of poem, including couplets, is tricky without a theme or topic. You made a great job of the challenge Lill, and what you say in it is so true.
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Thank you, Kim. I’m always challenged by the new forms…but it’s good to stretch beyond the comfortable! 🙂
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Such a powerful write, Lillian! They don’t realise the repercussions of revoking that judgement.
You made the complex form look quite easy.
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Thank you so much! Glad it looks smooth….edit edit edit edit…different word…pick a different word…and then, like a puzzle, it somehow comes together! 🙂 That’s the poetic process.
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You are so welcome. Ah! Don’t we all do that… syllable counting is never easy for me. The poetic process can be cumbersome at times but finally the finished verse makes it worthwhile. 🙂
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Yes it is… I constantly edit my work, even long after I publish it. Poetry is never finished, it simply begets more poetry. Beautiful wisdom Lil! 🙂
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You use the Rophalic couplet so effortlessly, Lillian. Had no idea that it has its origins in Homer!
pax,
Dora
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Thank you! It was a puzzle to work with, that’s for sure. Glad you enjoyed.
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Right on, Sister. Write on, please.
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You make me smile, Ron. Thanks!
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A well-crafted set of couplets, nice job!
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Thank you!
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You go Lil — hell yes! Retrumplican asshats! Pardon my brashness my friend, but it chaps my… great piece! 👍🏼✌🏼❤️
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It’s early in the AM here in Boston….and you helped me start my day with a smile with your comment, Rob! Many thanks for tuning in 😉
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The first and last stanza coupled together delineate the future.
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Reena, great eyes noticing that! Thank you!
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You are welcome.
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Brilliant poem, I so love your handling of both form and subject.
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Thank you so much! What a lovely comment….truly appreciate it!
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Well done with the form, Lillian. You made it seem forceful, rather than forced. I hope all of us who care about women and democracy create a powerful storm!
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Amen to that!!!
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❗️❗️❗️❗️❗️
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