Reverso poems are tough! When recently interviewed by Michelle H. Barnes at Today’s Little Ditty, Marilyn Singer summarizes a reverso like this: “A reverso is one poem with two halves. The second half reverses the lines with changes only in punctuation and capitalization and it must say something completely different from the first half.” I was able to get the first verse to reverse to a meaningful second verse, but I couldn’t capture the heart of a reverso–a totally different message when reversed. Oh well! I’ll keep trying but thought I’d share this first effort anyway.
With dainty, slippered stamens,
dipped in electric blue,
Scilla dances
in the cool spring breeze,
each petal a marvel
as it bursts into bloom.
One single flower
enhancing
a watercolor world.
A watercolor world
enhancing
one single flower
as it bursts into bloom,
each petal a marvel.
In the cool spring breeze,
Scilla dances,
dipped in electric blue,
with dainty, slippered stamens.
Molly Hogan (c) 2016
Nix the comfort zone 
Molly, I love your reverso poem! You’ve captured the essence of the scilla beautifully. I’m going to speculate that they are going in your yard and you are sharing your photography skills too. I am also working on a reverso, but mine looks a bit different. Although I am using Marilyn’s Singers MIRROR, MIRROR as a model I also references this site: http://www.poemfarm.amylv.com/2010/10/reverso-poetry-peek-tarantula-oh-my.html
Mine looks more like the latter, but I’m still working on it. Thanks for sharing!
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You’re right, Amy, the Scilla are growing like a river down my front yard. Amazing! They take my breath away every year. I can’t wait to read your reverso–I’m trying to figure out another one that captures that “reverse” meaning. It’s quite a challenge!
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You’re right, Molly, reversos ARE tough. One day I might be brave enough to try one… but that day isn’t today, this week, or this month! Whether or not this is a true reverso, it’s a beautiful poem, and I’m glad you’ve helped it find its way into the world. Love those “dainty, slippered stamens, dipped in electric blue.” I’ve added your link to my post today, and am delighted to share it as part of my end-of-month wrap-up celebration next Friday.
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How amazing first you write the poem then you write it backwards I love Watercolor world and it reads from top to bottom and from bottom to top
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