Prompt #24 (for January 7th, 2020)
Can I Get A Do-Over?
A palinode (or palinody) is an ode in which the writer retracts a view or sentiment expressed in an earlier poem. Maybe you wrote a poem to or for someone expressing love or admiration—or scorn and hostility—that you now regret, and you want to “take it back.” Think about a poem you have previous written—recently or long-past—(and if possible, find that poem) and write a retraction of it. Be-it-ever-so-humble, Wikipedia has some examples. Perhaps your poem will take the form of an apology or amends, or you can always claim that somebody else wrote that earlier poem…Recant, rescind, abjure away! Ready&Steady&Go…
With Apologies to the Panetone People
I take it back!
Yes, I abjure —
I’ll make this right with you for sure.
I’ll listen hard to your feedback
If you’ll allow me to backtrack.
Yes, I recant! I never meant
Your blue was bad – I guess intent
Might matter less in tearful eyes –
I take it back, apologize.
