On Day Eighteen at NaPoWriMo, the optional prompt is based on Faisal Mohyuddin’s poem “Five Answers to the Same Question.” Today, I’d like to challenge you to write your own poem that provides five answers to the same question – without ever specifically identifying the question that is being answered.
PITHY FIVE
1. stand on your toes
peel off layers of quivers
unleash. neck tethers
throttle.
***
2. unfold. spread
the wings
a little flapping
does not hurt.
***
3. resist inertia
cartwheel on green
if you must,
barefoot.
4. slacken the muscles
weep.
look above
the hurdle.
***
5. embrace gravity
polish instinct.
reflecting surfaces
don’t fear vastness.
***
Were you able to guess the question? Do let me know in the comments below.
This post is part of BlogchatterA2Z.
We can only be the wind beneath their wings, Sonia. Your answers as your title suggests are very pithy and spoke to this mother. This truly resonated.
I am very late in catching up with my reading so please be don’t be alarmed with my comments flowing thick snd fast. 😉
Not at all. I love comments. Thank you for taking time out and for connecting with this poem so beautifully.
I did not figure the question aptly (unfortunately, the comments gave it away) but I did realize the message was something around ‘Don’t be afraid to take chances’. What a lovely poem
Uff these lines are ❤️😍 reflecting surfaces
don’t fear vastness
😊❤️
I too felt it’s a message to kids or i mean a question related to progress / flight ofkids… beautifully expressed.
Dropping by from a to z “The Pensive”
Yes, you’re right!
loved reading this Sonia. Short, crisp and yet, very profound! (yes, I did get the question. no I didn’t scroll down, but will not leave the question in the comments)
Thank you Harshita😊
I pictured you giving those answers to your children when I read them one after another–pearls of wisdom on a string. Like Romana said, the tender humour in the second answer resonated deeply–tough love and open arms.
Loved this Sonia.
Thanks Arti. I wonder if I’ll ever get tired of this.
How to fly without wings? 😊
Almost!😊
The last stanza in particular is perfect!
I enjoyed doing that too. In fact it came to me before the fourth one but then I rearranged
I love the tender humor of part 2 and that affirming last line.💜🍃
Is the question, ‘How do I fly?’- Beautifully worded, Sonia
That’s my guess as well.
I love the construction of the answers. They seem quite motivational. I would go with a question like “how to go on?” “how to keep your soul alight?”
Almost there Namratha. How to go on is almost it. Same connotation. Thank you.
Sonia, very nice. Are we talking archery? Maybe… or is it the name of your blog that gave me the weird idea? If not that, forgive. Anyway, the words are lovely. No doubt. xoxo
My bad Selma, I couldn’t make it clear. The question is Will I ever learn to fly? Basically, one from children to parents. Since I’m neck deep into parenting right now, that’s all I can think of! But after reading your comment when I went back to read, I relised archery too would go with it. The ‘quiver’ must have made it sound like one too! Thank you for that perspective Selma
Enjoy the fantasy. Relive it with your little ones again — they remind us of what we left behind. Lovely. Happy parenting. The best time of your life with them is now. I bless you. xoxo. Thanks for sharing. xoxo
Love this, Sonia 💕🙂
Thanks Harmony.