Hello Readers
Itโs April 1 and we are officially into the month of challenges. I have challenged myself to do thirty days of poetry. When I decided to take the plunge into NaPoWriMo and AtoZ, I made a few plans. But what are plans if they donโt go wrong! So, all I will say is that Iโm here to have fun, experiment a bit and see how far I can go. No more a stickler for rules, Iโm going to do this my way.
On day 1, I didnโt want to do something long (also, I could think of nothing much). I am yet to warm up. And so, the early-bird prompt has happily come to my aid. Itโs very warm here in Delhi and I am tweaking the line โForever might be shortโ by Emily Dickinson to pen a short nine-line poem. Since the poem is short, I decided to call it A for Abridged! So is life, really. (The picture is from a visit to Leh, India).
on a sultry, late summer day
a weary poet recites a poem
her mind conjures a world
builds a snowballโ
it melts
into nothingness
the poet isnโt sad
she knows
forever is short
***
Have you heard of Olav H. Hauge, the Norwegian poet and translator? This is inspired from his lovely poem ‘The Old Poet Has Made a Line’, in the sense of saying much in a few words.
This post is part of BlogchatterA2Z 2022 and NaPoWriMo
If you’re looking to start a conversation around Abridged, scroll to the bottom and leave a reply. I always visit back!
Discover more from A Hundred Quills
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.



Forever is short.. how beautiful and apt
LikeLike
Thatโs a short and profound poem. So much depth in such few lines.
LikeLike
Thanks Rashi๐
LikeLike
Hi Sonia… Loved the poem, short & sweet yet full with complex ideas. ๐ Btw, ‘Forever might be short’ is an interesting line which I guess I can use in a poem too…
LikeLike
It would be great to see what you come up with!
LikeLike
Lovely poem Sonia..
LikeLike
Thank you Deepika๐
LikeLike
“Forever” lingers on my mind. Interesting imagery sultry, melt, snowball.
Beautiful picture!
LikeLike
So kind of you. Thank you Srishti.
LikeLike
Beautifully written. Loving the imagery and I can feel a hint of sadness yet acceptance. Wonderful
LikeLike
Thank you so much๐
LikeLike
My goodness! Sometimes, less is indeed more. there’s so much to convey with so few! Good luck! As always, I look forward to your posts!
LikeLike
Thank you Janaki. So glad you stopped by.
LikeLike
“Forever is short ! “, how profound is that !! Looking forward to such beautiful poems .
LikeLike
Thank you Chinmayee๐
LikeLike
Love the ‘hopeful’ note this short poem ends on. I’m glad you have such cool shots of Leh to look at:) I hear Delhi is getting hot.
LikeLike
Haha. True. Delhi summer is always terrible.
LikeLike
Stunning poem, Sonia. I’m going to enjoy your A 2 Z!
LikeLike
So kind of you Damyanti. Thank you. I will look forward.
LikeLike
Happy A2Z Sonia.
In my part of the world though the spring has officially started, since last week due to Saiberian cold wave, we are yet again experiencing snow and cold. So when I read your poem, I so longed for the sunshine and I changed this short and sweet poem of yours to read it like this for me….
on a cold, early spring day
a “copy-cat” poet recites a poem
her mind conjures a world
builds a sunโ
it freezes
into nothingness
the poet isnโt sad
she knows
forever is short
LikeLike
Wow! That’s so wonderful and humorous too. Loved it.
LikeLike
Beautiful lines!
LikeLike
Thank you Sandhya๐
LikeLike
Lovely poem, Sonia, and the picture too. All the best for April!
LikeLike
Thank you ๐
LikeLike
“forever is short”, oh how profound , yet true these words are Sonia.
I simple love reading your writings Sonia and am looking forward to the rest of the month!
LikeLike
Thank you Harshita. So kind of you.
LikeLike
Beautifully penned. Simple and sweet.
LikeLike
Thank you
LikeLike
Your poem is lovely Sonia. It left me with a feeling of sorrow. Love your photo of that sparkling mountain in Leh. All the best for your two challenges.
LikeLike
Thank you Kalpana. Means so much coming from you.
LikeLike
When it comes to forever, nothingness defines it beyond. Lovely lines Sonia.
LikeLike
Thank you Swarnali๐
LikeLike
I like your poem, Sonia! No, I haven’t heard of Olav H. Hauge.
LikeLike
Thank you Liz. That one by Hauge is a lovely little piece
LikeLike
You’re welcome, Sonia.
LikeLike