Today’s prompt at NaPoWriMo is to write a poem that contains at least one of a different kind of simile – an epic simile. Also known as Homeric similes, these are basically extended similes that develop over multiple lines. Perhaps unsurprisingly, they have mainly been used in epic poems, typically as decorative elements that emphasize the dramatic nature of the subject (see, by way of illustration, this example from Milton’s Paradise Lost). But you could write a complete poem that is just one lengthy, epic simile, relying on the surprising comparison of unlike things to carry the poem across.
I wanted to write a long poem but that for another day in May. For now, a short one on grief. I hope the simile works fine.
Grief surges
like a plume of smoke
a serpent wreathing around a tree
Its wisps breaking beautifully
into shards
flowing in all directions
becoming a carnucopia*
of white lilies
Until the years are ripe
and it finds a home
with warm beds
and open doors
for sunshine to walk in.
*carnucopia- the horn of plenty (Greek mythology)
This post is part of BlogchatterA2Z
Image courtesy Axonite, Pixabay.
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A Hundred Quills 
Breathtakingly beautiful and true. Grief infiltrates every part of life. I’ve learned to just live around and though it.
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That’s a fine way, I think.
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I love the contrast I find between the hazy opening atmosphere and the piercing ending lines!
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Thank you. So glad.
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From serpent to sunshine , this poem evokes so many beautiful imagery ! Amazing weave of words.
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Yes. Through the gaps is where the light comes in.
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Yes!
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The smoke simile worked beautifully!
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Thanks Punam
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You are welcome, Sonia.
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The simile doesn’t just work fine, it touches the reader. I loved it
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It finds a home with warm beds – what a wonderful and appropriate way of describing grief.
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Grief–shards-white lilies–smoke. You’ve captured all the textures of ‘grief’ that makes it so hard to pin it down into one definition and yet there is that promise of an ‘open door’ of ‘sunshine’. Nicely done Sonia.
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“Its wisps breaking beautifully
into shards” oh what imagery Sonia! wonderful!!
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Slow invasion of grief and also slow defeat both welle xplained 🙂
Dropping by from a to z “The Pensive”
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Beautiful use of words and emotions 🙂
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Powerful imagery through your choice of epic simile. Lovely!
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