What’s the Matter Here?
a child cowers
on steps
of brownstone
person stands
knuckles purpling
officer arrives
hand at her waist
“an altercation?”
“no, officer.
a difference
of opinion.”
“between who?”
“myself and
a gentleman
who ran.”
“about what?”
“he thought
he had a right,
and I didn’t.”
top image link
Punam is today’s host of dVerse’ Quadrille Monday. Punam says:
write a 44-word poem using some form of the word alter.
Tao Talk 
Yow. I bet that hurt.
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Hey Chris. Actually it is a medical condition that some have — and it does, for them — but I thought it illustrated the poem well.
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You certainly did…. it made me curious ! :-)
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:)
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powerful write Lisa
thanks for dtopping by my blog
mucj♡lovr
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Thanks much, Gillena, and you’re welcome.
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What a powerful write, Li. Says so much without saying a lot.
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Punam, thank you.
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You are welcome.
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Powerful stuff – I also used altercation (but only in the title) – excellent –
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Thanks, Anna. Awesome on the altercation.
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spare but full. a great write Li, really captured a moment there.
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Thanks, Someone.
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Apparently the gentleman who ran changed his mind!
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With a little help, I think. Thanks, Nolcha.
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I wonder if that’s the end of it…(K)
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K, you know it isn’t :(
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Sadly, no.
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An interesting piece.
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Thank you, Maria.
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Maria, I just read your poem but your site won’t let me comment. I tried multiple times :(
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The verse is a good interpretation of the song, Lisa.
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Steve, thank you. I remember the first time I heard it and the other songs on that album, I was deeply moved by them.
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You’re welcome, Lisa; clearly, it moved you and that has stayed.
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Go girl! Excellent write, Lisa.
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<3 Thank you, Dale.
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💞
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Powerfull and spare! Hard to do!
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Sonia, thank you.
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Great word, altercation, Lisa, and I like the way your quadrille contains a whole story in so few words.
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Thank you, Kim <3
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You’re welcome, Lisa.
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Different opinions… wonder if it was ever settled
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Situations like that are always … complicated. Settled is a very ambiguous word.
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Good one.
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Thank you, Sadje.
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You’re very welcome ☺️
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Lisa, I feel the tension and quiet power in this. The exchange is both simple and charged, with much unsaid.
~David
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Thanks, David.
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🤗
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Difference of opinion and perhaps a lot left unsaid. A poem story that leaves the reader a bit unsettled.
“an altercation?”
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Truedessa, thank you very much for reading and your comment <3
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Very well written, Lisa. Seems this happens quite often in our world.
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Dwight thank you. Yes, it does.
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Your welcome!
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Never, ever is there an excuse for an altercation like the scene you painted with poetry. And you crafted it quite well, Lisa.
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Thank you very much, Helen.
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Great poem, Lisa!
Yvette M Calleiro :-)
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
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Thank you very much, Yvette <3
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