It isn’t that the green of grass is displeasing to my eye,
as green is one of my favorite colors: a pennant of life.
It isn’t that quiet isn’t appreciated when plows sit garaged,
restless minds need every appurtenance to peace’ mirage.
It isn’t that winds don’t titillate as they nibble my cheeks,
yet may I protest as they gang to snap limbs from trees?
It isn’t that birds who stay and not migrate doesn’t please;
Avoiding villainous hunters is good, but suggests disease.
It isn’t that mid-forties December isn’t a pleasant vacation
If pretty perks didn’t have global warming’s dire explanation.
This probably comes closest to option 2 but close usually is only good with hand grenades and horseshoes.
Sanaa is today’s host of dVerse’ Poetics. Sanaa says:
For Today’s Poetics, I’d like you to write keeping in mind the following three options. Choose ONE.
- Write a narrative poem using litotes where the main character or antagonist stands out.
- Write a poem using litotes and follow the example of Homer or Shakespeare. Give us something classic.
- Write a poem by employing litotes as a part of everyday speech.
Tao Talk 
Ha… liked them all, a bit concerning that you don’t have winter when you should
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YES
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I love this especially; “It isn’t that quiet isn’t appreciated when plows sit garaged, restless minds need every appurtenance to peace’ mirage.” Thank you so much for writing to the prompt ❤️❤️
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Thanks much, Sanaa, and thank you for the challenging prompt! <3
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Great use of litotes, Lisa. I really like these lines:
‘It isn’t that winds don’t titillate as they nibble my cheeks,
yet may I protest as they gang to snap limbs from trees?’
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Kim, thank you! It seems like my kids and I talk a lot about this winter and if it is cause for celebration or anxiety.
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I learned a new word today – litote.
Sure doesn’t look like January.
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I did too, Steve. It’s 37 out there now with 16mph winds which makes it feel so much colder.
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Phenomenal use of litotes, but imagery in general, your strong suit, Lisa. This stood out for me and hooked me in right away: the color green as “a pennant of life”!! Wow! The contrast between what’s pleasing and what’s disturbing is very well done throughout. Loved it!
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Much appreciate your feedback, Dora. Glad you enjoyed the poem <3
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Each couplet is perfect, Lisa, and leads to that killer ending. Well done!
And I said the same thing to my husband about the weather this morning.
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High praise, Merril. Thanks! I think there’s a glitch in the matrix (hope you know that movie reference.)
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You’re so welcome, Lisa.
I do get the reference. 😊
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I’m not going to lie, I don’t miss the snow and the hours of shoveling that can come with it. I also don’t miss icy roads. That said, both used to be the norm when I was growing up as a kid in Germany, which has pretty comparable weather to New Jersey. While there have always been some fluctuations in weather, the changes we have seen over the past 20-30 years are a clear indication to me we’re no longer talking about mere fluctuations, no matter what the naysayers will tell us!
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I hear you.
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Lisa, your poem with litotes skillfully navigates the nuances of appreciation, turning everyday scenes into a reflection on both joy and concern. The use of litotes adds a subtle layer of complexity, enhancing the impact of your words. Well done!
~David
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Thanks for the feedback and glad you like it <3
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I like the way the images build to encompass the unease that we are all feeling. The litotes are perfect to emphasize the not-rightness of it all. (K)
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I think so too about the litotes. Thanks, K!
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Our Christmas week was strangely balmy as well. I like how you structured your poem to come to your conclusion.
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Many thanks, Maria!
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I admire each couplet starting with it isn’t that, which gives a twist to the idea. The process worked out very well. My favorites are the first two litotes.
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Grace, thank you.
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You did a great job on this Lisa. I love your repetition and the swing from the negative to the positive.
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Dwight, I appreciate what you see in it, thank you.
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You are welcome.
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I do like the seesaw affect of it.
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Thank you, Max, I like that part also.
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So well done Li.
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Thank you!
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You’re most welcome
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You bring out the unease we all feel (or ought to) about weather we’d really rather just enjoy. We have 61°F today beneath the cloud, though the norm is 50° so it’s not such a huge disparity.
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It’s usually around 0F now here, or at least in the single digits. Today it is 35. Happy it’s close to normal for you there.
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Grenades and horseshoes it shall be!!! I love every word, thought, juxtaposition.
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Helen, you make my day with your comment. Thank you <3
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You have produced much food for thought! Well done!
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Glad you connected with it, Carol.
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Forget Homer or Shakespeare, I’m getting echoes of Wordsworth in here. Very nicely done.
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Alexandra, I appreciate your sharing that. I don’t know a lot about the classical poetry at all.
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Granted, I don’t understand classical literature but the disappointment in your litote is evident. No true winter, but a false one. 😄 I learned some new words today!
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Thanks so much, Aboli!
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I think these are all bang-on, never mind close!
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Dale, thanks my friend.
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You are most welcome!
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Lisa, it’s been an unusual winter here too…green and brown instead of white. Your poem’s repetition is effective in making the point. I’d say you won at horseshoes :)
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…this is lynn, anonymously
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lol Lynn, thanks :)
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So, a seesaw of positive and negative.
Wonderful use of litotes, LIsa!
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Sara, thanks! <3
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Love this, Li! Such masterful use of litotes and each couplet is perfect.
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Punam, thank you for your kind words. Nice to see you <3
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Come and visit my page I’m sure you’ll love the landscape
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I love the rhythm of this, a statement and answer that confronts the reader. Especially that last line which sneaks up on me.
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Thanks, Paul. I thought you would like this one.
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:)
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