Pounding, or: Tapping

Posted on by ben Alexander

My first seguidilla

Sitting on hard chair I hear
turbulent loud wind;
nothing for it, but to heed
tough forceful pounding;
Tapping upon keys,
imagination now thin;
versing? Such folly.

a d’Verse prompt

The Seguidilla began as a popular dance song of Spain. The verse form was established and branched into variations by the 17th century. It has an alternating long short rhythm. The Seguidilla is:

  • stanzaic, written in any number of 2 part septets. (7 lines);
  • syllabic, 7-5-7-5 : 5-7-5 per line. There is a slight pause between L4 and L5 suggesting L4 should be end-stopped;
  • rhymed by assonance xAxABxB or xAxABAB. x being unrhymed. True rhyme is generally not used;
  • composed with a volta or change in thought between L4 and L5;
  • sometimes serves as a conclusion for another verse.

57 thoughts on “Pounding, or: Tapping”

        2. You know, in Wales, the translation of David is Dai or Daffydd. Pronounciation is “Di” and “Davith”. Just thought I’d share that with you David. Blessings for your day.

        3. I do very much appreciate knowing that! I love languages 😀

          When I was studying spoken Palestinian Arabic, I was ‘dah-ood’ (that’s how it’s pronounced, more or less).

          All best,
          Dafydd

        4. I think in all languages we learn as children, the first signs of independent thinking in each of us is when the learn how to say “No!” with expression. 😠 Where it gets us is a whole new story! 😉 Right, time to go out into this Welsh windy day and sort out my pet hens covered run. Don’t you just love the interconnectedness of www. You are probably imagining my day right now. 🐓🐓

  8. Excellent photography, complimenting the contrast of the pounding and the tapping.
    I found it a pity that the exhaustion ended in thoughts of folly.
    But such is great composition in poetry and music. It felt like a jazz ending.

    1. Thanks, Abi!

      But I can’t take credit for the photo – it was just a free image that I found online, as are most that I use… In the rare cases that I do take photos and post them, I am always sure to point out that I did so 🤪

      As for the poem, I deeply appreciate your compliment.

      Yours,
      David

  13. I didn’t realise there were actual rules to the lines of some poetry, but you learn something every day. Not sure I will properly learn or take it in or in any shape of form be kept to any rule (well apart from filling out my census), for that is my usual thing. I have enjoyed doing Haiku for the rules thing though, like a recipe for words.

    1. OS,

      TBH, I didn’t know much at all about all of these different forms either until I started blogging and interacting with the community of poets here on WP. But I have been really enjoying these forms.

      First of all, the challenge is enjoyable for me; secondly, I love how the forms affect the meanings of the words, lines, and stanzas; and thirdly, these forms actually lead me to produce pieces that I don’t think I would have ever come up with me on my own otherwise 🙂

      Shabbat shalom,
      David

      1. My reading only took off in my 20s. Before that ability, my mother got me to recite poems. Oh my word! 🙂 I can still do “The chief defect of Henry King…” at the drop of a hat, and with all the expressions. 🤨 😟 🤨 😔

  16. You got the syllabic count with the form as well as the volta (or change of thought) in Line 5. I heard that violent wind over the weekend with the change in seasons. Thanks for joining in.

  17. Pounding sounds ominous; tapping sounds productive. No doubt versing is impacted by pounding!!

  19. I so love the contrast of pounding winds with the gentle tapping of keys! This is brilliant, David! 🙂

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