An American sentence:
She moved her flight up, fearing her sister might die before she arrived.
What’s an ‘American Sentence’?
Allen Ginsberg, inventor of the American Sentence, felt that the haiku didn’t work as well in English. Ginsberg decided to remove the line structure of the haiku, maintaining the requirement of 17 syllables total. He felt that removing the line count freed the American Sentence up for the idiosyncrasies of English phonemes.
The requirements:
- Composed in one line;
- Syllabic, 17 syllables;
- Condensed, written with no unnecessary words or articles;
- Complete sentence or sentences;
- Includes a turn or enlightenment.
Let’s write poetry together!
When it comes to partnership, some humans can make their lives alone – it’s possible. But creatively, it’s more like painting: you can’t just use the same colours in every painting. It’s just not an option. You can’t take the same photograph every time and live with art forms with no differences.
–Ben Harper (b. 1969)
Would you like to create poetry with me and have a completed poem of yours featured here at the Skeptic’s Kaddish? I am very excited to have launched the ‘Poetry Partners’ initiative and am looking forward to meeting and creating with you… Check it out!
The Skeptic's Kaddish 🇮🇱 
Ouch.
Thankfully, she made it, Tina 💓
In dealing with and conversing about oh-so-very-much death these past few years, a dear friend shared with me how he, unfortunately, did not make it to be at either of his parents’ bedsides before they passed- he was en route to them via plane and simply didn’t get there in time. Instantly brought him to mind.
Both his parents died around twenty years ago; it still bothers him. Having been in both situations? They are horribly difficult in their own unique ways.
Yeah. I worry about how my mom might handle it if her sister dies a day after she leaves her side and flies across the ocean.
Terrible.
There is zero doubt in my mind that’s how my father wanted it. He fell asleep and simply did not wake up. He would have HATED people gathered by his side during his final moments (hated the fact that he was in hospice in his final days as it was). But however it ultimately happens, it can be so very heartbreaking for those left behind. 😥
My Papa died suddenly, quickly, and unexpectedly. He was scheduled to start chemo a few days later. He would have gone through with it, but he didn’t really want to be reduced to living in a weakened state, dependent on my Mama.
So sad, David.
😿 Dolly 😿 ~ yes
Jesus David…. this was scary.. I do hope all is ok~! 💞 oh no.. is your aunt ok?
💔 Cindy 💔 ~ she’s not okay 😢
Oh David, I’m so sorry. I do hope your mom makes it and you get to see her. Sending love and blessings to you and your mom and her. 💔
✨️🙏🏻✨️
Oh… 🥺💔
😢🙏🏻 Filipa 🙏🏻😢
How sad. 😔
😔🙏🏻 Brandon 🙏🏻😔
Yikes! That sentence is full of angst!!
💔🙏🏻 Muri 🙏🏻💔
This has some punch to it. It hit me straight in the heart, David.
🖤🙏🏻 trE 🙏🏻🖤