My first poem for April’s poetry month. I decided to do an Ottava rima because it sounded like Ottawa, where I live, even though Ottawa has nothing to do with the number 8. (Ottawa is derived from the Algonquin word “adawe”, which means “to trade.”)
The poem has eight lines with an abababcc rhyming scheme. Inspired by the photo below.
Riven
An ash where deer once roamed in sombre shade, Returned to ash by lighting strike — one flash, Nature's lumberjack felled this spine so splayed, With a forked bolt, one cracking, wicked lash, Defiant though blackened, stripped and decayed, It will birth new life from the V-shaped slash, Out of mottled dust and ashes of death, Life ruptures forth, emerges, takes first breath. © 2021 Arlene Smith
Somerton Smith 
This is PRIMO poetry, Arlene. Writing poetry is a challenge at best, and especially if a specific rhyme scheme is called for! My favorite lines: “Nature’s lumberjack felled this spine so splayed,
With a forked bolt, one cracking, wicked lash,”
Brava, my friend!
Thank you! I love the word primo, and I will take it. I don’t consider myself a poet on your average day, but I’m having fun with this April challenge I have set for myself. I found it interesting to work within the parameters of the poetry form too.
Wow! I’m impressed. I can’t write poetry to save my soul. Kathryn
Ha ha! Thank you. You as such a fantastic writer, I have no doubt that you have poetry in your soul if you look for it. I’d love to see it, if you choose to.
I like your poem. I admire anyone who can write poetry. It’s not easy to do so and create one as evocative as this one.
Evocative – I like it. So far today I’ve had primo and evocative. I’ll have to write poetry more often!
🤓
“With a forked bolt, one cracking, wicked lash” – outstanding Arlene! Love the feel of this in particular – the awesome energy encapsulated in simple, well-placed words.
Thanks so much. I don’t often write poetry, so it’s not a comfortable thing, but hey, it’s fun every once in a while.
What a poetic challenge- and you succeeded in a most beautiful way. Riven, indeed.
Thank you so much. It’s very different from the one I’m going to post next!
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