The Poetry Sisters Write Pantoums

We've been at it again. My poetry sisters have been up to hijinks once again. I've been privileged to be schooled in several poetic forms by these fabulous and talented women before, when we challenged each other to write a crown sonnet , villanelles, and rondeau redoubles. Liz got us going this time by challenging us to write pantoums sparked by the line "I've got better things to do than survive," from Ani DiFranco's song "Swandive." Several years ago Miss Rumphius's Monday Poetry Stretch taught us the form and I tried it out here. I really struggled with this one, editing and fussing over it right up to today's publication time. I am not done tweaking I am afraid, but we agreed to go public so here I am,  jumping into free fall. Please go read the others at Laura's Friday Poetry roundup post, and share some love with the kidlitosphere's weekly poetry celebration.

Moth Sisters

"I've got better things to do than survive"

she flung over her shoulder on the way out.

The crash of her door a shattering cry

supplanting my lamp with a far distant star.

Gusting over her shoulder on the way out,

her tresses diffused a cool honey shine,

supplanting my lamp with a far distant star

(silk spun for protection hides hooks on the end).

Her tresses diffusing her cool honey shine,

a cocoon once jostled begins to emerge.

Silk spun for protection hides hooks on the end.

And me alone with my dolls in a muddle;

a cocoon once jostled begins to emerge,

from crumpled wings expanded she flutters away.

And me alone with my dolls in a muddle.

She believes she's outgrown what once kept her whole,

from crumpled wings expanded she flutters away.

The crash of her door a shattering cry

She believes she's outgrown what once kept her whole -

"I've got better things to do than simply survive!"

Andromeda Jazmon