Hating the "F" Word (Failure): More Abecedarian Poetry
Inspiration and Challenge
Fellow poet Verlie Burroughs (Snakeslane) recently brought the "abecedarian" form of poetry to my attention in her collection The Road Home Poems and the poem titled A Beach Chirpy Dawn.
Then another wonderful writer Ann Carr (annart) issued a challenge in her article Abecedarian Poetry: What Is It? Origins and Some Examples for other poets to write an abecedarian poem using any one letter from the alphabet to begin each word and write at least two verses about any subject. I did that for my second poem but it was quite random and I wasn't entirely happy with it, so I decided to write another using every letter of the alphabet in order to begin each line, hence: Hating the "F" Word (Failure.)
* The abecedarian is an ancient poetic form guided by alphabetical order. Generally each line or stanza begins with the first letter of the alphabet and is followed by the successive letter, until the final letter is reached. (source: poets.org)
However, like with many forms of poetry there seems to be a number of variants. Sometimes, all words in the poem begin with the same letter of the alphabet, other times each word begins with the next letter of the alphabet until all 26 letters from A to Z are used. Or like my first example, it can be written like an acrostic where the first letter of the first word of each line is the alphabet in order.
Hating the "F" Word (Failure)
Anyone with drive and purpose
Believes that they can succeed.
Confident and their skills and talents,
Defiant of all obstacles in their path,
Energetic and persistent,
Forever striving to move forward,
Generating positivity in every situation,
Hating the "F" word (Failure.)
In fact, not even acknowledging its existence,
Jubilantly celebrating each milestone,
Kicking butt whenever challenged,
Lamenting every missed opportunity,
Maintaining consistency and learning from setbacks,
No time to procrastinate,
"Overcome" is their favourite motivational word,
Persevering in the face of all obstacles,
Quelling all nae-saying and negative talk.
Remaining steadfast and focussed,
Satisfied only in success,
Taking one step at a time, but never a backward one,
Unwaivering from the end goal,
Victory always within their sight.
"When the going gets tough, the tough get going."
X-ray specs offer just an illusion.
Yearning for true discernment that provides clarity,
Zeroing in on success and fulfilment.
Monumental Moments
Miniscule moths
May move mountains.
Magical? maybe.
Monumental moments
Merely masquerading
Man-made myths.
Muffled moans,
Morose monotones
Make me melancholy.
My manufactured musings
Morphing miraculously
Making mighty mythic monsters.
Questions & Answers
© 2019 John Hansen
Comments
Hi Jodah. Happy to know that you have taken up the challenge. I like that your poem title is actually one line from the poem. Inspirational theme. And the monumental moments poem is tricky. You managed to do it. Thanks for sharing.
Excellent and glad you wrote with a courageous mind
Wow, this is not an easy task. I went to Ann's article, which is beautifully done. I am so glad I read your contribution so that I could get to her Article. I have been gone from Hubpages for a minute. This is why I am glad we all have the same circle of friends on Hubpages.
I enjoyed this article. It makes me want to take a shot at doing it myself.
You met the challenge well, John. Hating the "F" Word is so darn clever -- actually, brilliant. And I love the subtle nuances and alteration in Monumental Moments. Well done.
This is indeed interesting as this is my first encounter with this type of poetry. I enjoyed reading it for its own rhythm.
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I love your poems, John. The first one is very inspiring and the second one very interesting. You did a great job with the challenge.
These were very enjoyable. I especially liked the Monumental Moments poem.
You can't see my hands that are clapping right now! Jodah. I loved them both but -- Monumental Moments-- killed it!
John -- I always read the comments before making one, so that I don't just repeat someone else's words. But in this case it's hard to be original, because all these fine people already said what I would. And now I am left with the feeling of wanting badly to say something from my heart on a greeting card -- but the card said it much better than I ever could.
So, let me just blurt out what first came as true to my heart : I LOVE YOUR DEEP POETIC SOUL, JOHN HANSEN! - Your friend Val
An excellent inspirational poem. A great response to the challenge enjoyed reading.
O, boy! O, boy! That was cool! My dear brother, I believe that now you can understand why I call you Rainbow Poet! I am happy to see you have many colours yet to give us! Thank you for the fun and the meaning.
I wish you always to enjoy your colours!
Sean
PS: The video ... RESPECT!
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You did a great job, John. I saw her post also, but have not attempted it yet.
Your video is most appropriate.
Great write.
Just was thinking about Queens Bridge in Melbourne and talking business with a dude Hong Kong from. I love Australia. Walking out there at 2am is a trip. Take care.
You did a great Job John. The x and z were a real challenge on mine. How about you? Great stuff. Congrats on a job well done.
Great response John! You capture not only the frustration of trying to create abecedarian poetry, but also the perseverance it takes to be a poet at all. Moving mountains, and making mighty (mythic) monsters all in a day's work.
Great poems, John, especially the 'Monumental Moments'!
You rose well to the challenge and thank you for contributing to that.
Ann
I admire your creative genius, Jodah. Two great poems written within tight alphabetical constraints.
More interesting than watching a spider spin it's web. Of perhaps I just read a master spinning a web that caught me. This area shall be explored. Some look around a corner for something, I like to look around words.
Wow, John. You nailed it. Your title got my attention because that other "F" word has unfortunately become part of the daily lexicon and I hate it. Cussing and swearing make one sound so unintelligent--such a limited vocabulary.
I'm not even going to attempt this; I'll stick with cooking. Have a great day.
John, you have a talent that can formulate any type of poetry. I loved your word usage. I did one, " Sand Storms " It was so much fun, trying something new.
You have certainly mastered this particular form of poetry John and I feel your poem 'Monumental Moments' is a fitting testament to this. Loved it.
Another great response to the challenge. In gymnastic-speak, you nailed the landing, John!
You succeeded wonderfully in writing this type of poetry. I wondered if you would take up the challenge, and you knocked it out of the park, John. I smiled while reading your poems as they were excellent in my opinion. Have a good week.
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