Drowning in Air - A Quadrille

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 dVerse #228 

Write a quadrille and post it on your blog or website.

Our inspirational word this week is "fish." 

She is fishing for complements once again.

She baits her hook with clever words

designed to flatter me.

Once upon a time

she reeled me in,

a trophy catch.

Now I gasp for freedom’s breath.

If ever did you love me,

throw me back!


©2025 Lisa Smith Nelson. All Rights Reserved  


Comments

  1. Kim M. RussellJuly 29, 2025 at 3:51 AM

    I love the title, and the thought of ‘fishing for complements’ and baiting a hook with clever words. I’m not good with flattery, so I think I would slip the hook easily.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Aaron GuileJuly 29, 2025 at 7:25 AM

    Man, throw me back, too. Thank you for posting this very fun poem.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AJJuly 29, 2025 at 8:23 AM

    Really enjoyed this quadrille - I hope you slip off her line!

    ReplyDelete
  4. judydykstrabrown.comJuly 29, 2025 at 8:56 AM

    I love love your take on this prompt. Perfect!!!! And funny.

    ReplyDelete
  5. ben AlexanderJuly 29, 2025 at 9:05 AM

    Lisa, I really feel the ache in “gasp for freedom’s breath.” It turns the metaphor on its head and makes the emotional weight of the poem hit harder. Quietly sharp and well done.

    Much love,
    David
    SkepticsKaddish.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. HelenJuly 29, 2025 at 9:08 AM

    Love the image you chose to accompany this very clever quadrille! Cheers.

    ReplyDelete
  7. MishJuly 29, 2025 at 11:18 AM

    The references and analogy work so well here. Love it.

    ReplyDelete

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