Monday, August 27, 2012

Pantoum

Pantoums are a fairly unknown form of poetry. It is one of my favorites. Learn more about them


Here is a pantoum I wrote about the beach:



Waves are crashing, snatching, latching
on a sandy beach lapping at our ankles
so many vacations,
And tourists with cameras around their neck.

On a sandy beach lapping at our ankles
single mothers escape work
and tourists with cameras around their necks.
Lifeguards sit bored, making 30 dollars a day.

Single mothers escaping work
keeping a nervous eye on their splashing children
lifeguards sit bored, making 30 dollars a day.
They wear sunglasses and slowly scan the water.

Keeping a nervous eye on their children
and watching surfers who glaze the waves
they wear sunglasses and slowly scan the water
unafraid of anything from the sea.

And watching surfers who glaze the water
boat captains smoke and weigh the days catch
unafraid of anything from the sea
mooring their boats onto rickety sea docks.

Keeping a nervous eye on their splashing children
waves are crashing, snatching, lashing
lifeguards sit bored making 30 dollars a day.
so many vacations.

1 comment:

  1. I love this Nathan!
    You're right, I've never actually heard of a pantoum before. The repetition of lines works so perfectly and I love the ending.
    See you at the MMM!

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