Thursday, January 22, 2009

PANTOUM


Pantoum is a poetic form that first
appeared in the 15th Century,
in Malayan literature. It existed
as an oral form. The Western
version is a written poem made up
of stanzas of four lines that are
repeated in a pattern. It can be
any length the poet desires.

I found that I was very attracted to this form

when I discovered it several years ago.

After establishing the first four lines,
something starts to occur that seems
to be out of my hands. The poetry goes
to places that I never could have found
without the form. This force, form,
always surprises me.

The poem that follows is from my
book of poems, "Two Ghosts".
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RECIPE
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Remember the taste of fresh bread
As you ready the bread for baking.
Combine water and salt, add the yeast
And stir till you inhale the life of the bread.
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As you ready the dough for baking
Put in enough flour to stiffen the mother,
And stir till you inhale the life of the bread
As the dough leaves the sides of the bowl.
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Put in enough flour to stiffen the mother,
Pinch a piece to melt on your tongue
As the dough leaves the sides of the bowl,
Kneed till it's smooth and elastic as a womb.
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Pinch a piece to melt on your tongue
Spread the dough with soft butter and cover.
Kneed till it's smooth and elastic as a womb.
Let rise until doubled and press it once more.
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Spread the dough with soft butter and cover.
Then fold the edges and turn upside down,
Let rise until doubled and press it once more.
Roll the dough tightly like a jelly roll.
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Then fold the edges and turn upside down,
Place diagonally on a lightly greased sheet.
Roll the dough tightly like a jelly roll.
And with a sharp knife slash the top.
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Place diagonally on a lightly greased sheet.
Brush with cold water again and again,
And with a sharp knife slash the top.
Reduce the heat in the oven as the bread bakes.
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Brush with cold water again and again,
Sprinkle with sesame or light poppy seeds.
Reduce the heat in the oven as the bread bakes.
Then tap the loaf till it sounds like a hollow door.
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Sprinkle with sesame or light poppy seeds.
Combine water and salt, add the yeast
Then tap the loaf till it sounds like a hollow door.
Remember the taste of fresh bread.
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c 2009 all rights reserveed
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To order "Two Ghosts":
call 888-795-4274 ext.7876
at bookstores

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ah! and the lecture for the day. Thank you. Splendid post!

Cheers,
Clayrn Darrow
M.IV

A Cuban In London said...

Lovely post. I especially liked htis 'The poetry goes to places that I never could have found without the form.'

The very definition of art.

Greetinsg from London.

Unknown said...

Hi Lyn,

I have never come across this style before. It is amazing to think the poem can progress without becoming unintelligible!

Anonymous said...

Clay-
Loved your comment! Sharing, right? Thank you.

A Cuban...
Thank you so much.. we can't close the gate. Onward and upwards!!

Derrick-
It is strange..working in this form is hypnotic! Love your comment, thanks.

Kristin Dombrowski said...

What a melodic and intriguing form! The poem is lovely too! I'll have to try this one out. Thanks for the great entry!

Anonymous said...

Kristin-
Yes, this form is quite something. Thanks!
Good luck for wanting to try it.

Rab said...

I feel a great sense of empathy for the bread. I enjoyed the metaphor, thank you.

Anonymous said...

Rab-
I never thought of it that way!
Thank you so much...

sribbler said...

ejoyable

Anonymous said...

Justin-
Thank you!

Charli Henley said...

What a cool poem! I have never seen this kind of poem before and I really like it. Not sure if I'd be capable of writing something like this, though.

Cool blog! I look forward to reading more!

Anonymous said...

Charli-
I really have to use a road map to complete a poem. But I so enjoy the process. It's all placement.
Thanks so much for your visit!

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