Nov. 12th, 2014

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Quite a long time ago I introduced to this journal (and, as far as I am aware, to the world) a noble new verse form, in which the only rule is that every syllable has to be said twice. Considering this restriction I think an appropriate name would be "Domino Poetry", although ironically "domino" is one of many, many words that can never be included in a domino poem, consisting as it does of three consecutive dissimilar syllables.

My initial effort, “A very small amphibian is exhorted open itself to ideas, to celebrate loudly both sibilance and fish, to run the gamut of emotions, and to travel the world", sadly appears to have sparked few (actually, no) imitators. I feel it's up to me to build up a corpus of domino poetry to inspire and delight the world, so here's another example, a little more focused in its subject matter. It dramatizes the thoughts of Francis of Assisi's disapproving father regarding his son's turn to the religious life. Think of it as a cross between Robert Browning and Bob Newhart. And a game of dominoes.

Pietro di Bernardone Complains of his Son's Behaviour

Frank? Frank, Papa here. Hear me, “meek and candid”!
Did you use to stoop? Or poor men mend,
And dandy’s ease (for forfeit fit) cease?
See sense! Ensconce concern, sir!
No? Oh, murmur lullaby, by Goo-goo! Con!
Consult sultans, answer errors, assert certain tenets… it's sad.

Sadder, Assisi Papa

Purists may complain that I was lax in a couple of places, for example in letting the voiced second syllable of "errors" double up with the unvoiced first syllable of "assert". However, purists are very welcome to do better, and add to the world's store of domino poetry.

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