Parallelismus Membrorum

[Angeline]

is quite an interesting little form poem I discovered today while Web-surfing. I'd never heard of it before. It's simple, yet requires a perspective shift to write and can produce some quirky poetry. Here's a description.

************

Parallelismus Membrorum is of traditional Hebrew origin. It has lines of parallel construction and presents antitheses and complementary extensions. The lines are usually short and contain three or four words.



And an example


Reflections

Do not let me enter;
do not shut me out;
I am the hurricane
and the gentle breeze;
I am a memory
you have forgotten
and I am the future
that will never be.

Anon.


Try it. I took a few liberties with them (5-word lines and the sky didn't fall, Virginia).

 

[Angeline]

Parallelismus-yzed

Together

Please carry this burden,
and let it comfort you.
Then when the rain falls,
the sun will be shining.
When you let go of me,
I can hold your hand.
Inevitably you will leave,
and we will be one, always.

************************

Stormy Weather

This cold November day
is like the fourth of July
Leaves fall in whispers
that explode like rainbows
So button up your overcoat
be naked as your birthday
and help me rake the leaves
then we'll jump in and swim

 

[eagleyez]

Interesting tradition.

I especially like the second poem Angeline.

But then again im up here with enough leaves to fill an olympic swimming pool.

 

[The_Fool]

Your charming nature
Is what repels me.
The classic beauty of your form
Does nothing for me.
Expressing your lack of interest
Is what excites me.

 

[Senna Jawa]

 
 
 
 
            work hard during the week
            have a restful weekend
            after five days apart
            we'll spend time together
            coffee drives people crazy
            we'll share apple cider
            we think about eternity
            and watch leaves falling
 
 
 
wh,
2003-11-01
 

 

[Icingsugar]

I think I have dome this, not knowing what it was called. That was in Swedish, so I'll try one from scratch instead.

Give me your truth,
wrapped up in lies.
I give you my all,
eternally nothing.
Give me your faith,
and trust me not.
In this darkness,
we'll soak up the light.

 

[Senna Jawa]

 
 
 
        i hardly blink in the car's confinement
        the car flies from one ocean to another
        the sky's so clear above
        the clouds await me at the shore
        my cars are nice to me
        while i neglect them shamelessly
        the wheels stop rolling
        the lucky beggar's feet go happy
 
 
 
wh,
2003-11-01
 

 

[Linbido]

Hmm. Like this?

I welcome a sunset
in the morning of us.
I steal your last breath
to give you clean air.
I hold you, control you,
you dance, flutter, soar.
How far can we fly
while we stay down here?

-Lin

 

[Angeline]

The night ends
as twilight gathers
its deepening spectrum
in the colorless sky.
Good morning, baby!
It's time for bed.
Close your eyes,
and don't miss a trick.

 

[eagleyez]

first birds
sparrows crows doves and gulls
rise up
as we
fall
down.

sink there
and sleep
in the morning
music.

 

[HomerPindar]

You're so far
I can almost feel you
dreams of you
keep me awake at nights
visions of you
screen my sight

HomerPindar

 

[perks]

Silence is worth it's weight in gold
crying costs nothing
A walk, a childlike scamp on the beach
is the rest I need
being alone
with you
is what I dream
while I'm wide awake.

 

[TheDR4KE]

 
 
      When I am alone
      you are with me.
      When I am not alone
      I miss you deeply.
      We have been together
      and we have never touched.
      You are my dream of the future -
      Lover from a thousand past lives.
 
 

 

[Angeline]

State of Confusion

I must be crazy
to feel so sane.
I am really quite sad.
Stop making me smile.
Men are such bastards,
and you are so sweet
Go! I don't want you!
Now shut up and kiss me.

 

[Senna Jawa]

 
 
 
                *         *         *
 
 
 
                always sleepy
                and never asleep
                international airports
                fly by me

                always awake
                and never alert
                I see u in focus
                but u'r far away
 
 
 
wh,
1993-05-31
 

 

[BooMerengue]

straining muscles pushing hard
working easily in fluidity
i am screaming loudly
through my silent mouth
my life entering this world
as my life eases away

 

[Senna Jawa]

Re: State of Confusion

I must be crazy
to feel so sane.

 

        sick of being healthy i wish
        i were like the world around me

 

wh,
1990-02-11

see r.a.p.   or   the same

or the whole enchilada: a raw collection (click on "poems" in the upper right frame).


Angeline's two lines are an echo of the last two lines of the 5-line poem:

                The Xmas State.

 

[Rybka]

Who Polished the Page?

Senna Jawa, you sly dog, you have your own web page! I have book-marked it for reading at leisure. Ain't grad students great!

Regards, Rybka

 

[lickmyboot]

Recovered

Passion once lost
now rediscovered
Emotions deep swell
under low tide
My love's complete
with your half sadness
You grabbed my hand
when I nearly fell.


Nice thread Angeline! Psst...I need to ask you a question. I'll PM you.

 

[lickmyboot]

Recovered

Passion once lost
now rediscovered
Emotions deep swell
under low tide
My love's complete
with your half sadness
You grabbed my hand
when I nearly fell.


Nice thread Angeline! Psst...I need to ask you a question. I'll PM you.

 

[lickmyboot]

Recovered

Passion once lost
now rediscovered
Emotions deep swell
under low tide
My love's complete
with your half sadness
You grabbed my hand
when I nearly fell.


Nice thread Angeline! Psst...I need to ask you a question. I'll PM you.

 

[lickmyboot]

Recovered

Passion once lost
now rediscovered
Emotions deep swell
under low tide
My love's complete
with your half sadness
You grabbed my hand
when I nearly fell.


Nice thread Angeline! Psst...I need to ask you a question. I'll PM you.

 

[lickmyboot]

Recovered

Passion once lost
now rediscovered
Emotion's deep swell
under low tide
My love's complete
with your half sadness
You grabbed my hand
when I nearly fell.


Nice thread Angeline! Psst...I need to ask you a question. I'll PM you.

 

[champagne1982]

I have blindly sought,
What I have seen,
A fertile valley,
In the desert mountains,
A whisper within
Shouts out loud
That freedom lies
Within your grasp

 

[Senna Jawa]

Re: Who Polished the Page?

Senna Jawa, you sly dog, you have your own web page! I have book-marked it for reading at leisure. Ain't grad students great!

Regards, Rybka

I was taken completely by surprise.