Greetings, Poetry Friday people! This week I'm blushing a bit because the seven Poetry Sisters are writing the Definito, a form I devised...and so of course I must join in.
The Definito is a free verse poem of 8-12 lines, aimed at readers 8-12 years old, that highlights wordplay as it demonstrates the meaning of a less common word, which always ends the poem.
I developed this form kind of bit by bit starting in 2008 and I've written them here and there; I'm actually continuing to experiment with it, and I think I've figured out an approach to titling the poems that doesn't give everything away up top.
It's wonderful to think that others want to have some fun with it too. In fact I suppose it's rather crucial to the success of an innovation that others take it up!
I can't wait to see what Laura, Mary Lee, Tricia , Tanita and Liz have done with it, and Kelly and Sara and Andi! Thanks to Tabatha at The Opposite of Indifference for hosting us today, and do click on the WHISPERshout Writing Workshop logo to see what I'm up to now.
Wonderful! I love it. The whole way through your poem I am picturing the two "things." And, I also think the title is brilliant. It does not give away the poem's "ah ha" moment. Thanks for that example, Heidi.
ReplyDeleteI love how you experiment with form and words and ideas in your poems. This perception of crucial I must say is perspicacious.
ReplyDeleteSo great to see so many embracing your definito, Heidi. Love your innovation here, too. xo
ReplyDeleteI love this! The metaphor of the cross with a critical, "crucial" decision. A really thoughtful definito!
ReplyDeleteYour poem not only plays beautifully with form and words, but it deepens understanding, and leaves me with a great "word memory" no dictionary could. And folding in the pronunciation as the title---brilliant! This is the new standard for learning vocabulary, imho.
ReplyDeleteOh, this is so great! The wordPLAY is so very evident. So many crucial things lay at the crux of an east-west kind of decision. Two roads diverged at a crossroad, and I... I stood around and thought about what was important. Brava.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun exercise - breaking open a word and thinking about its "insides" Your definito form is a great challenge. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteOh, the "cross-your-heart crux"--yes! Thank you for such a wonderful form, Heidi. I really enjoy both reading and writing these. Must. Do. More.
ReplyDeleteHeidi, I have been playing around with your definito for many years because it is a fun and challenging format. Now, you added a new twist that I really like -a visual and a wonderful guessing game. In fact, I decided to change the title of my definito to see if that works better.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Heidi. I love "cross-your-heart crux" and the way your poem keeps unfolding until the word is revealed.
ReplyDeleteI love how this builds to a crescendo that so completely demonstrates the word. And I love the pronunciation title as well. Thank you for inspiring us this month!
ReplyDeleteI had fun writing your inventive Definito, Heidi & now you've offered another way to write one, that intriguing, pronounced title, in more ways than one! I like "the cross-your-heart crux," - seems so true.
ReplyDeleteYour definito makes me think of a Brigid's cross because it's more of a handmade kind than a Red Cross cross or a religious cross, and the center is the focus while you're making it, what makes it possible. Now I'm off to check out your WHISPERshout
ReplyDeleteYour button leads to a "does not exist" page but I found the post about WHISPERshout. Wishing you well with it!
DeleteLike Tricia, your poem is perfect in both form and content! And yes to Margaret's affirmation that you were quite perspicacious!
ReplyDeleteSee, this is why I was almost loathe to try this form with you watching, Heidi. This is NEXT LEVEL. I'm humbled and wowed.
ReplyDeleteWow, Heidi! This really is NEXT LEVEL, how you layer shape and wordplay. I am in awe.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving reading all these examples of the form you created-- it's a gorgeous form! I hope it takes off and lots of teachers and poets and students have fun with it! Your poem is lovely. <3 Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYou really created a sense of urgency with this one — love that!
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfect poem Heidi, and I Iove your suspenseful build to the end, and clever title–brilliantly playful, thanks and for your form too!
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