Two truths, and/or: A lie

Sevenling (Have you heard of)

Have you heard of 'Two Truths & a Lie'? Let's give
it a go: My only sibling is 20 years younger than I; I
have lots of gray hairs; I never wear shoes.

Fun, right? Let's go again: I'd never intended
to make my home in Israel; Israel's existence is existentially
important to me; I feel myself part of American Jewry. 

Who said poetry isn't fun?

The sevenling

Structure:

  • Lines one to three should contain three connected or contrasting statements, or a list of three details, names or possibilities. This can take up all of the three lines or be contained anywhere within them.
  • Lines four to six should similarly have three elements (statements, details, names, or possibilities) connected directly or indirectly or not at all.
  • The seventh line should act as a narrative summary or punchline or an unusual juxtaposition.
  • While there are no set metrical rules, because of its form, some rhythm, meter and/or rhyme is desirable.
  • The visual structure of the form is two stanzas of three lines, with a solitary seventh line last line.

Also:

  • Titles are not required. The original convention was to title the sevenling: “Sevenling (followed by the first few words in parentheses)”, but the form has evolved to other title conventions including dropping “Sevenling” completely from the title.
  • Sevenling should be mysterious, offbeat or disturbing, giving a feeling that only part of the story is being told.

19 thoughts on “Two truths, and/or: A lie”

  1. I never wear shoes either David. Flip flops if I must! There are 21 years between my first and second children, but the second and third are adopted. Those are the truths in the first verse, I believe.

    In the second verse, I think the lie is that you consider yourself a part of American Jewry, but I am not sure I got that one right. 🙂

    Very amusing exercise, David! ❤ Have a happy week ahead!

    1. I always wear sandals – even through rain (mine are waterproof!)
      & yes! you’re right… I no longer consider myself part of American Jewry. I can still relate to its (broadly speaking) mentality, but living in Israel changed me as a Jew, for sure.


      David

  2. I always get nervous with math so i went right to that lol.
    ok soooo I googled you to check for gray hairs and I don’t see any.. lol.. but there is a famous actor with your name. never wear shoes or your brother is 20 years younger.. let’s see. ….hmmmmmm and there’s a whole lot of controversy about wearing shoes for jews. being that you like to stir things up a bit I could guess that but I will go with your sibling is NOT 20 years younger than you,,
    IDK 🤷‍♀️🤣

        1. no – each of the first two stanzas has two truths about me & one lie about me… you’re s’posed to guess which of the three facts is a lie.

          So each of the first two stanzas is its own game… three facts per stanza


          David

  3. Ooh, I like this game. It opens unknown fact about man you know long. Thank you for the poem. Honestly, I don’t like modern poetry. But you help me to look it another way

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