It’s Day Nineteen at NaPoWriMo. Today’s challenge is to write a poem that starts with a command. It could be as uncomplicated as “Look,” as plaintive as “Come back,” or as silly as “Don’t you even think about putting that hot sauce in your hair.”
In response to the prompt I have a poem which is also going to be my entry for the April WEP, a poetry/flash fiction writing platform. For WEP the challenge is to be inspired by Bob Dylan’s song A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall. It has been described as ‘the most idiosyncratic protest song ever written’.
Amazing lyrics, great symbolism is all I can say about Dylan’s song. This poem written as a response to the song, has been playing in my mind on a loop, put to some quirky music by yours truly. I decided to use the tagline ‘Quintessential Quixotism’ because this idealism is not foolish. Instead, it is the need of the hour, a prototype of the kind of antidote we need for realism. I loved being inspired by ‘rain’ to talk about ‘rein’.
A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall
Quintessential Quixotism
Take the reins
We’ve reached the end of the rope
Hang on
Slithering serpents love apple trees
Defy`
Oceans struggle to breathe
Clean up
***
Take the reins
Crackling branches host no winds
Fix up
Snow in spring comes calling in
Build up
All of Ganga* can’t wash your sins
STOP NOW!
***
Take the reins
A cypress mourns by the road
Shun evil
Ravens wheel over newspaper reports
Watch out
Hearts grow into raging blazes
Loosen up
***
Take the reins
Wipe out, the hatred
Look! The waters rise
Don’t be late
Somebody answer the call !
Take the reins, NOW.
*Holy river of the Hindus
(Total Words: 104; FCA)
This post is part of BlogchatterA2Z
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A Hundred Quills 
Ooh, powerful. Love the line about the ravens, especially.
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Brilliant piece of writing, short and concise, no fluff, just the need to take action.
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Thank you.
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I like the simplicity of the answers and the optimism and demand to do something.
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Thank you!
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A fantastic poem! It would work well as a song.
Sorry if this is a duplicate comment.
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A fantastic poem! It would work well as a song.
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Excellent adaption of the song to your post here. I like it.
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Wonderful rhythm and the form of the poem is exactly what is needed. Commands to humankind to step up and make the world a better place than it is now.
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Hi Sonia! What an imaginative response to the prompt. Inspired to set it to music. I could hear it in my head. Love the thought – “Take the reins!” We have too many leaders who don’t take responsibility for the state of the world. We can all do our part – the citizen’s army.
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I agree, a song. So beautifully written.
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The rhythm and flow of this is amazing, and your words are powerful. I love it!
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This was fun to read 🙂 I enjoyed the musicality of it!
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Powerful – and sadly true for far too many.
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Very effective and imperative! You raise some very pertinent issues urging the readers to take action.
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Great rhythm to it! Make an effective protest song 🙂 Clever take on the prompt and well done on combining the two!
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Thank you Nilanjana. The prompt was exciting.
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Interesting and well done.
Nancy
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Thank you Nancy.
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There is a rhythm and a melody in your words, Sonia, and an imagery that comes alive through the commands! A brilliant poem! Kudos!
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Thank you for those kind words.
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It feels like a marching song: go and do it! “Take the reins.” I could almost hear the music.
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I’m glad Olga. I did brew up a little music for this.
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Hi Sonia – I love the use of ‘take the reins’ … take some responsibility for things – be a leader … excellent poem – well done – Hilary
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Thanks Hillary💐
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Loved this call for action Sonia. There was this urgency, a pace to this poem that made one want to sit up!
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Thank you for reading Harshita💐
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Well done!
The urgency created with your imperative phrasing and the galloping pace is powerful!
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Thanks Jemi for this lovely comment.
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The commands are what we all need to put into practice. Great piece.
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Thank you!
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Brilliant piece of writing, Sonia. The commands and the choice of shorter phrases bring out the urge in your voice, so well. It’s effectively poetic!
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How kind of you to stop by. Glad you liked it.
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Sonia, I envisioned an artist (passionate and intense like Van Gogh) painting his canvas with deep, sharp strokes — painting the imminent chaos we, as a race, are hurtling towards–as I read your piece. “Ravens wheel over newspaper reports.”– genius.
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Awww.. You’re very kind Arti. Thank you.
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Strong imagery, Sonia, particularly that of ravens wheeling over newspaper reports. Compelling call to action!💜🍃
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Thank you Romana💐
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Loved the rhythm in the piece, Sonia. Also the short lines help in conveying the urgency of the commands. Enjoyed reading this
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Thank you Namratha💐
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I love the urgency and imperative in here, Sonia 💕🙂
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Thank you Harmony💐
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The poem reflects the urge and emphasis you are trying to create…take the reins before it gets too late. Subtle and need of the hour message in ur poem….loved it..though I don’t kno that song.
Dropping by from a to z “The Pensive”
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Thank you 💐
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Thank you
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A very effective call to action!
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Thank you Liz💐
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You’re welcome, Sonia.
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Thanks for reading Liz
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You’re welcome, Sonia.
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Hey Sonia, The repetition of the phrase, ‘Take the reins,’ creates a sense of urgency drawing the reader to take charge. This makes the poem powerful. I like the use of metaphors throughout the poem and how each stanza has a relevant message.
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Thank you for reading it so well💞
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Thanks for stopping by Smitha💐
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