Polyptoton Paradise

A polyptoton is a variation of repeating the same word used in several different forms.


The Greeks are strong and skillful in their strength,
Fierce to their skill, and in their fierceness valiant;
-- William Shakespeare

In this case, the polyptotons are....... strong - strength, skill-skillful, fierce-fierceness.

Write a poem using as many examples of this technique as you can....it can be a very effective tool.

RE: Polyptoton Paradise

oh Balladeer, may we write a ballad, dear teacher?
may we not work so hard in this month of June no longer May?
and how do we know what is right in what we write?
how does a student know how far to go and what it's for?
it's greek to me...as Greek may be
I flee fast, dear, like a deer...or flea.
what ails me a few ales will cure.
You know I won't say no, I take the dare.

RE: Polyptoton Paradise

deer-dear may-may write-right far-for greek-greek flee-flea deer-dear ails-ales know-no

You packed them in, Aria gal. Why am I not surprised????

RE: Polyptoton Paradise

The Learning


Intensions intended to see
intently on our foreheads we
tend to use intent, intently.

We lovesome, lovers of lovely
while lovesick loves so lovingly
and lovelorn loved the unloving
we love love's lovable loving.

We have one life, we are alive
they say the cat lives with 9 lives
When living's livable, we live
a lively livee, as we lived
from lifeless to the afterlife
we want to strive to have no strife.

RE: Polyptoton Paradise

Well, Springsize, that is indeed a Polyptoton paradise for sure. You gave some excellent examples of the usage of such words. The only problem I had with it is that they are so completely overpowering the poem gets lost in them!

It IS a great exercise, though, right?

RE: Polyptoton Paradise

Polyptoton

He loved her with a love dark as the night

And in the dark, her night-light called to him

He was her dream, all she dreamed he could be

And when he smiled, his smile lit up her night

in her passion, impassioned there was he.

He smiled at her…and there she found her smile

In His eyes, words of truth she found with-in,

her eyes beamed back to him her truthfulness.

When need was great, within their lonely hearts

Their hearts need spoke, when they both heard and saw

In tears as clear as star-light…. lit-up as

Moon light on a clear night….they found love there

They both recognized…even though they knew

Their hearts could be broken with the dawn's break,

A fairy tale of love not really real

When morning broke in wondrous glory they

were still .... until she spurred him with her words,

"from now on, sir, take off your boots and spurs."

Last edited by Aria 06-07-2010 at 02:14:26 AM

RE: Polyptoton Paradise

Well, well, well.....A fantasy-filled romantic love story filled with polyptotons and passion that takes a brilliant comical turn with the last line! Love it!

I must say, though, it sounds a little "spurious" to me! (I crack myself up!!! )


Very fine, Aria. I love the way your mind works!

RE: Polyptoton has a Crooked Smile

Had to try this silly Polyptoton thing

You splay love with your crooked smile
gleaming dew wet roses of false truths.
Grinning love promises, true Judas kisses
and sheets of white purity black with lies.
A perfect artist colors such deceptions
painting lip service with falsehoods.
Such art belies the truth until toppling.
You meet someone who knows Judas
and splays love with a crooked smile
painting lies with dew wet roses
to splay your grin and lover's art.
You topple.

RE: Polyptoton Paradise

very good poem sorry it took so long... i like it

RE: Polyptoton Paradise

Good is much more than I expected. Did this for fun and had fun.

Sally

RE: Polyptoton Paradise

I like the poem, Sally! Didn't see a lot of polyptotons lurking around but t he poem itself is very intriguing...I'm glad you had fun with it, since that is the most important thing. Best to you!