Pantoum (PAN-TOOM) is a fifteenth-century form of poetry that takes advantage of repetition between a series of four-line stanzas. The repeating effect creates an echo that slows the pace of the poem.

The 2nd and 4th lines of each stanza repeat as the 1st and 3rd lines of the next. This pattern continues until the last stanza, which often refers back to the first. The pantoum’s last line can be a repeat of the opening line. Repetition can include subtle differences in wording or punctuation. Most of mine are three stanzas long. Sometimes I add a unique last line.

Creating a pantoum is an organic experience for me. It’s interesting how the poems can take a turn in meaning as they progress. Rarely do I know how things will end up once I start. It’s a nice surprise to reach the end and discover a unique connection between seemingly unrelated subjects.

I hope you enjoy them.

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And You Are?

I am Gordie, Gordie the bartender, the bartender said

What can I get you?

Gordie, I’ll take a new identity on the rocks please

I want a new name and make it a double

…

What can I get you?

Take what’s in a name as tip, plus a little cash

I want a new name and make it a double

And you are?

…

Take what’s in a name as tip, plus little cash

Gordie, I’ll accept a new identity on the rocks please

And you are

I am Gordie, Gordie the bartender, Gordie the bartender said

I need to see some forming identification first

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Stale Sermon

We dined on stale sermon, then ate

At the after-church buffet today

Today’s leftover clothes still smell of that

From food I felt too guilty consuming

…

At the after-church buffet today

I experienced the forgiveness of fried chicken

From food I felt too guilty consuming

Sliding backwards into the sin of dessert, we smiled

…

I experienced the forgiveness of fried chicken

Today’s leftover clothes still smell of that

Slithering backwards through the sin of dessert, we smiled

We dined on stale sermon, then ate

– – – – – – – –

Four Eyes

Her four eyes focus on me, or more like three

One lens drifted up and to the left and out of my sight

My left her right; my wrong her right

Just like in a real relationship

…

One lens drifted up and to the left and out my of sight

Two versions of unshared opinions lead to common disagreement

Just like in a real relationship

Not knowing where to look, I looked down

…

Two versions of shared opinions lead to uncommon disagreement

My left her right; my wrong her right again

Not knowing where to look, I looked down

She was wearing uncomfortable shoes, just like in a real relationship

– – – – – – – –

Torn

I’m torn between events this weekend

Augusta is holding their annual Spare Tire Recycling Event

Atlanta is hosting the Southern Cannabis Reform Conference 2014

What to do what to do?

…

Augusta is holding their annual Spare Tire Recycling Event

It’s a good thing to go green

What to do what to do?

It’s a good thing to come clean

…

It’s a good thing to go green

Atlanta is hosting the Southern Cannabis Reform Conference 2014

It’s a good thing to come clean

I’m torn between events this weekend

– – – – – – – –

Considerable Space

“Four,” I told the hostess

She showed me a large empty table

Why did I say that, I wondered

She left me alone

…

She showed me an empty large table

“I’m sorry just one,” I corrected

She left me alone

With lots of space to consider

…

“Just one? I’m sorry,” she collected

Why did she say that, I wondered

With lots of space to consider

“Four,” I told the hostess

– – – – – – – –

I Remember Being Silent

I remember being silent with my grandmother

On a dull day she got a call

My grandfather finds his missing dad

Face-down dead in a shallow stream

…

On a dull day she got a call

Watching the weather not wanting to be disturbed

Face-down missing in a shallow stream

I pretend not to notice increasing cloudiness

…

Watching the weather not wanting to be disturbed

My grandfather finds his missing dead

Face-down dad in a shallow stream

I remember being silent with my grandmother

I pretend not to know this increasing cloudiness

 – – – – – – – –

No Rush

I watched Mom take her last breath

After hours of breath pains between long silences

She wants to talk to you

Tell her who you are but don’t disturb

…

After hours of breath pains between long silences

Dad said, “You’ve got a sister and she’s 32”

Tell her who you are but don’t disturb

No rush you’ve got a life to grasp

…

Dad said, “You’ve got a sister and she’s 32”

She wants to talk to you

No rush you’ve got a life to grasp

I watched Mom give her last breath

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