Poetry Challenge #126-What the World Needs Now

I’m not Nick, nor am I Norah, but my entire life is an Infinite Playlist. Song, or snippets of song, spring to mind willy-nilly. All it takes is a word, or feeling, or a beat, and the piano roll in my head begins whirling.

Today it was the news…(isn’t it always???). Gratefully, thankfully, I was saved by Burt Bacharach! Sing it Dionne . . .

What the world need now is love, sweet love, it’s the only thing that there’s just too little of . . .

Valentines in Montpelier, VT

Hearts in Montpelier, VT

Poetry Challenge #126

What the World Needs Now

Let’s write a love note to the world in the poetic form called “Tendi.”

A Tendi is a poem made up of four-line stanzas, originating from the Swahili poetry of East Africa. (Here’s more about Tendi.)

A Tendi is usually written with an aaab rhyme scheme, meaning the first three lines rhyme, while the final line establishes a recurring end-rhyme that ties the entire poem together.

Usually that fourth line is repeated at the end of each stanza. If it changes, the end rhyme remains.

Since we are writing a LOVE-LOVE-LOVE Tendi, why not use candy hearts as inspiration for that last line?

I love you very much.

My heart belongs to you.

You are so very sweet.

Conversation Hearts.jpg

See if you can’t write a three stanza tendi. Then, if you dare, send it to someone!

Set your timer for 7 minutes

Start writing!

Don’t think about it too much; just do it!

The Song: I’d Like to Build the World a Home

The Movie: Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist

Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge about 3500 days ago (who’s counting?). We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. If you join us in the Challenge, let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole poem in the comments.

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Poetry Challenge #125-Cloudy With a Chance