The black wolf wanders on in loneliness,
Facing the ice tundra of rejection—
A barren wasteland of cold exclusion—
Past the faint hope of full inclusion,
Walking past the land of acceptance
In search for a space of true belonging.
The wolf looks for life and real belonging,
Trying to escape pall-shrouded loneliness
In order to live life in acceptance
Of one’s own nature without rejection
Because we are born to need inclusion;
It is horrible to face exclusion.
Have you ever felt hurt through exclusion?
So, you know why the wolf seeks belonging;
Wolves are social and long for inclusion.
In order to avoid such loneliness
These canines show strength to skip rejection;
Because the weak ones lose their acceptance.
Only the status quo get acceptance,
Those who do not conform face exclusion
Those who fit in will not face rejection
But they are enveloped in belonging.
Packs act like there’s nothing to loneliness,
Because they have only felt inclusion.
Privileged, the pack forgot inclusion
Sparking the black wolf’s quest for acceptance.
Wolves, by nature, do not like loneliness
And will work hard to avoid exclusion
Including trekking to find belonging;
At all costs, the wolf avoids rejection.
Past the cold, lonely fields of rejection
There exists a realm of full inclusion
Where the sheep and the wolves are belonging.
It is a land of total acceptance
Where there is never any exclusion;
No one’s ever suffering loneliness.
It is not rejection but acceptance,
It is inclusion, never exclusion
Planting belonging, ending loneliness.
© 2024 Tristan Robert Lange. All rights reserved.
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Author:
Tristan Robert Lange (
Offline) - Published: December 6th, 2024 09:06
- Comment from author about the poem: Form: Reverse Sestina. Meter: Pentameter. Exploring the paths to isolation and connection. This poem is intended to first be read from top to bottom. Then, starting with the last line, from bottom to top. Each way, presents a different picture or outcome.
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- Views: 14
- Users favorite of this poem: TobaniNataiella, Teddy.15
Offline)
Comments7
We like wolves are social animals and look for acceptance. A poing well taken and expressed. Deviation from social norms leads to rejection and isolation. A great metaphor. Nicely done Tristan
Thank you, Soren! Yes. Exactly. This poem was a fun challenge…making sure it was coherent reading it in either direction, top to bottom or bottom to top. I am glad it resonated and that the message got through. Thank you so much for your time and in-depth analysis, my friend. Always appreciated. 😂
I am not aware to what a Sestina, Meter etc is, what i do know is i really enjoyed the read, Cleverly written about a subject that effects a lot more people, than we realise, all behind closed doors, Thank you Tristan
Fair enough Tobani! I am newer to the Sestina form myself, but have been enjoying it. It has become one of my more favorite forms to write in...when I have time to put in the effort. Thank you so much for your time in reading and in sharing your thoughts on the poem. Much appreciated! I truly value your visits, my friend! ❤️🙏
For the good of the order and for others who might not be familiar with the form: A Sestina is a poem with six-stanzas and a 3 line envoi. A sestina also has 6 end words that are repeated at the end of each line in a particular pattern throughout each stanza. The ending envoi must incorporate all 6 end words, with 3 of those specifically chosen to be the end words of the envoi. On top of that, this is a reverse poem, meaning that it can be read in both directions, top to bottom and bottom to top. Meter simply indicates the syllable count per line. Pentameter has 5 metrical feet (a metrical foot being 2 syllables)...meaning that Pentameter has lines that are 10 syllables long. I hope this explanation is helpful. ☺️❤️
That has really cleared it up for me, not !!. I have no understanding of any of that but thank you for trying to explain. My poetry is just basic, i get a pad and write what comes up of me head, i don`t alter or adjust in anyway, i would not how to. Here is wishing you a very good weekend.
Hahaha! Fair enough! Well, it's there for the taking for anyone who might want to try it. 🤪 Indeed, Tobani, I truly appreciate your engagement! I hope you have a great weekend too! ❤️
Killer technicalities there, Tristan, (way back I did a very creditable villanelle, but after that the exhaustion has kept me away from really complex forms) however reading forward I really got into your parable of loneliness and isolation. Backwards? Sadly.....
First, thank you so much Dave for the deep and engaged read of my poem, as well as the compliments on the form. I certainly understand what you mean my exhaustion. The villanelle is a beautiful but challenging form indeed. Exhausting to write no doubt... beautiful to read! As for my poem, thank you so much for reading it both ways and engaging with it. Your reaction to both sides is rewarding to me as the author. The conventional reading is the obvious pathway to go, metaphorically, as it leads to inclusion and acceptance, which is the ultimate point of the whole poem. The reverse read, on the other hand, leads to isolation and exclusion...which is how the world is as we experience it. A tale of two journeys...the way to inclusion and acceptance vs the way to exclusion and isolation. So you are right, in terms of the parable, the reverse is not enjoyable or endorsable...but it serves, as I see it, to drive the point home when both journeys are taken. Thank you for taking it, regardless, my friend! You, and your feedback, are much appreciated! ❤️🙏
Cheers,Tristan. I admire the energy you put into your comprehensive responses.😊
Thanks Dave! I appreciate your appreciation! ❤️😊 Cheers my friend.
Fantastic Reverse Sestina
I must say!!! 💯👍
A magical, mesmerizing
and evocative piece of art
so eloquently penned my friend!🤩
Best regards ✌️ Thad
Thank you Thad! I am glad you found it so. This is one of my more experimental ones! But then, I've always loved an adventure! I can tell you do too! I truly appreciate you visit and feedback and wish you a wonderful evening friend! 🙏❤️
Great to know the name for a poem like this! Amazing successful writing of one!
Glad to know you enjoyed it and were intrigued by the form! Thank you so much for your time and feedback, my friend! Always appreciated! 🙏❤️
FYI, I am not sure if anyone has ever done this form before. Possible. But it is a fusion between two forms "Sestina" and "Reverse Poetry". I just fused the two forms together: "Reverse Sestina".☺️ Again, thank you my friend.. 🙏
I was mentioning the reverse poetry specifically! Probably hasn't been combined. You're very welcome!
I was mentioning the reverse poetry specifically! Probably hasn't been combined. You're very welcome!
Ah yes. I am really glad you appreciated it. It was intimidating to write at first, but as I went with it became a fun sort of challenge. :🤗
Fascinating and intriguing, rendered with a haunting poignancy dropping like blood down, down the page, so beautifully. Thank you for sharing.
You're welcome! Thank you so much! I truly appreciate you took the time to read and engage. Your feedback is very much appreciated, always! ❤️🙏
Argh! I specifically typed DRIPPING! Wicked, wicked technology!!!!
Lol! With blood 🩸 …dripping…dropping…gushing…spurting, squirting…lol! They all work…but as for tech…I so feel you there! That and typing with one’s thumbs…lol!
An epic. So very well written, a subject that especially at this time of year is difficult for those who are alone. Timeless piece. 🌹
Thank you dear Teddy! I truly appreciate your read and your feedback on this poem! It certainly was an epic challenge. 😂 But, truly, I had a ton of fun with the challenge and I am glad that it resonated and I am glad the message got properly conveyed! Thank you again my dear friend
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