Mangelwurzel (sonnet added w/ edit)

[ellajam]

"We can't make Jack-O-Lanterns without pumpkins."
While I thought to suggest squash like acorn
I carelessly hit search instead of copy.
Wiki informs me that I could adorn
turnips, mangelwurzel or beets
like the Irish long ago.
Just saying mangelwurzel
sets hearts and minds aglow.

~~~~~~

just saying mangelwurzel
brings visions of Robbins' Jitterbug Perfume
men and gods bandaloop through the centuries
jasmine hangs heavy in the air
and after death one's heart is placed
on a scale with a feather the balance.

[ChristopherSea]

Two mangelwurzels and a bandaloo for the price of one read is a good deal! Too bad so many missed this opportunity. I love it when a new found word from a novel excites us with it’s wonderful sound, meaning or history. This is the closest thing to a Halloween poem that I read this month and it coincides with a call for All Hallow's Eve poetry that I just made on the site. Thanks for the fun. ~^^~

[Todd]

This one makes me love words for their own sake. Much enjoyed!

Mangelwurzels! Awesome.

[Erthona]

Mangelwurzels...don't that beet all?

bandaloops: sounds like something Lewis Carole would coin. It has something to do with Ariel dancing

The Jabberwocky bandaloops
gyres buildings ont destoops.

-------------------------------------------------
What amazes me is that "mangelwurzel" would trigger off anything, but then again, I'm not Irish. What a rich heritage...some of it even good Actually, I would like to hear a poem on "bandaloop". When can we expect one.

I enjoyed the read.

Dale

[abu nuwas]

'Mangel-wurzel' is an unknown word? Oh, dear...and I remember before pumpkins...... Still, keep using the less used words, and prevent their loss! Join my Word Conservation Society!

[ellajam]

No bandaloop poem yet, but here's a mangel-wurzel sonnet, inspired by a banana and a rutabaga. . All critiques welcomed.

edit #1 (milo)


A mangel-wurzel caught my eye,
displayed atop a wooden cart.
I caught its scent as I walked by
in early morning's light, to start
my daily regiment of chores.
At each short break I'd start to dream
of crimson juice on slick tiled floors,
of roots cooked soft in scented steam,
of hands stained red to signify
the bloody beast upon my plate.
But all my plans have gone awry,
I've left the office far too late.
Farewell, sweet dreams of beet delight;
for dinner: taters, blandly white.

Original

A mangel-wurzel caught my eye,
the centerpiece at farmers' mart.
It called my name as I walked by
in early morning's light to start
my daily regiment of chores.
At each short break I'd start to dream
of crimson juice on slick tiled floors,
of roots cooked soft in scented steam,
Of hands stained red to signify
the bloody beast upon my plate.
But best laid plans have gone awry,
I've left the office far too late.
Farewell, sweet dreams of beet delight,
for dinner taters, blandly white.

[milo]

No bandaloop poem yet, but here's a mangel-wurzel sonnet, inspired by a banana and a rutabaga. . All critiques welcomed.

A mangel-wurzel caught my eye,
the centerpiece at farmers' mart.
It called my name as I walked by
in early morning's light to start
my daily regiment of chores.
At each short break I'd start to dream
of crimson juice on slick tiled floors,
of roots cooked soft in scented steam,
Of hands stained red to signify
the bloody beast upon my plate.
But best laid plans have gone awry,
I've left the office far too late.
Farewell, sweet dreams of beet delight,
for dinner taters, blandly white.

it's pretty good. The meter is spot on. The double 'aye-aye' rhymes gave it a Spencerian feel. I think you might want to reconsider line 2 and a comma after light.

[ellajam]

No bandaloop poem yet, but here's a mangel-wurzel sonnet, inspired by a banana and a rutabaga. . All critiques welcomed.

A mangel-wurzel caught my eye,
the centerpiece at farmers' mart.
It called my name as I walked by
in early morning's light to start
my daily regiment of chores.
At each short break I'd start to dream
of crimson juice on slick tiled floors,
of roots cooked soft in scented steam,
Of hands stained red to signify
the bloody beast upon my plate.
But best laid plans have gone awry,
I've left the office far too late.
Farewell, sweet dreams of beet delight,
for dinner taters, blandly white.

it's pretty good.  The meter is spot on.  The double 'aye-aye' rhymes gave it a Spencerian feel.  I think you might want to reconsider line 2 and a comma after light.

L2 my bad, I thought of farmers market and pretended mart would pass. I'll come up with something else. I looked at the spencerian thread but thought the more involved rhyme might distract me from working on the meter. It looks like fun though, once I get my footing.

---

From the NaPM April 4 2014 thread, prompt:write a poem inspired by a favorite book or story.


Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins
(finally, a bandaloop poem for dale)

When I fear I've been sucked dry,
a crouton drifting in life soup,
my joie de vivre in short supply
I dance a rousing bandaloop.
Accordions play in my brain,
a tango mixed up with a polka--
at once the weight begins to drain,
no need for whiskey, pot or coca.
I push back chairs and roll the rug
to let my spirit skip and whoop
then pause to jump and jitterbug,
breathe out as lungs cry "Bandaloop!"
Dissolved, the bonds that ache and tether;
my heart as weightless as a feather.