Terza Rima Challenge: Write Or Die;

I am not one to hide from a challenge unless it’s challenging. This is another one from Cubby, whose post from yesterday is fun and whimsical and definitely worth a read. That post is also where she reupped her challenge.

Mine is not fun or whimsical. It should be whimsical. I write about aliens. I learned poetry from Hip-Hop. Maybe I’ll try again later. What else am I going to do? Rewrite Norman Normalson & The Normals again? Oh yeah. That’s what I’m supposed to be doing, editing, finding an agent, getting published… Dang it!

For those who are unaware, a terza rima is rhyming pattern featuring interlocking three lines rhyme. The literal translation from the Italian is ‘third rhyme.’ Yes, I looked it up because I am a nerd. It was first used by Dante Alighieri in his Comedìa, which later, more than 200 years after he died, became known as Divina Commedia or Divine Comedy. Yes, I have read it, and, honestly, I don’t think it’s as divine as people seem to think. I took it as being more satirical and political, but that may just be the pessimist in me. Maybe it just helped me enjoy it more. Here’s my attempt at achieving divinity:

Write Or Die;

I write or die; all I have are my words
I search my mind for lines selectively
I present to you my unspoken heard

Lay out words organized impeccably
There are days I can hardly lift my head
My soul relies on creativity

There are days I think I’m better off dead
I need you; only you make me feel right
I can’t tell you, so I write you instead

I need you; for your love, I’ll stand and fight
I know I’m a writer, not a fighter
I need you; for your love, I’ll sit and write

The world is dark; words can make it brighter
Write till I die; then be a ghostwriter;

Advertisement