Welcome to the Poetry Friday Roundup!
In July, Mo Daley and Tracie McCormick shared a prompt at Ethical ELA to write a monotetra poem. This form, created by Michael Walker, was totally new to me. It’s composed of any number of quatrains (4-lined stanzas) with 8 syllables per line. Each line in a stanza has the same ending rhyme (mono-rhyme) and the final line of each stanza repeats the same four syllables. If that doesn’t make sense, check out the link to the prompt where Mo and Tracie explain it much more ably than I!
Just before seeing this prompt, I had read about the likely impending demise of our sole 207 area code in Maine. I decided to use that topic to try a monotetra. I found this form really engaging to write, but also really challenging. I’ve been revising my poem up to the last minute and it still feels clunky. Please note that you need to read 207 as “two oh seven” to make the syllable count work.
Two Oh Seven: The end of an era
The news is stark, the outcome bleak
Is there some respite we can seek?
Some technological technique?
To stay unique. To stay unique.
Our code’s a relic from the past.
Too many numbers have amassed.
The unused ones are going fast.
One code can’t last. One code can’t last.
Our code–a unifying call
of “All for one and one for all!”
One number easy to recall.
Now doomed to fall. Now doomed to fall.
207 is depleted.
Our supply has been exceeded.
Numbers cannot be repeated.
Must concede it. Must concede it.
©Molly Hogan
This month I was lucky enough to be paired with the great Tabatha Yeatts herself for a poetry swap! She created this beautiful poem with “a dash” of my blog theme in response to my photo of a snail. I love her word choice, like “buttersoft lit morning”, and the series of compelling questions at the end. (As a confirmed nervous spectator, they really hit home!) Thanks so much, Tabatha, for this lovely, thoughtful poem and for coordinating the swap.
Please add your link below to participate in this week’s Poetry Friday Roundup!
Nix the comfort zone 
Oh, change… and identity. I totally get that in your poem. I live near ‘1770’, a township on the Discovery Coast, where Cook landed in 1770. But a few years ago it was renamed ‘Town of Seventeen Seventy’, because a town couldn’t be written as digits – it messed with the maps. Such a loss. And now, such a mouthful. (We still call it 1770!!)
I’m very keen to try a monotetra. Thank-you!
Your photo that inspired Tabatha’s poem is stunning – and I do love the posturing it inspired – especially ‘Does the snail doubt her breadth?’ So beautiful.
Thank-you for sharing – and hosting us today. x
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I love the town name of “1770” though I can imagine it might be confusing on a map–especially to someone not familiar with it. I think there’s a poem there for sure–in the original name, the renaming, or the confused tourists! lol
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Sweet monotetra! I don’t find your words clunky at all. I remember when my home town lost it’s area code. It was a sad thing to lose. Something so familiar and identifiable. What a perfect thing to say goodbye to. You are fortunate to swap with Tabatha. Her poetical skill is beyond compare. “butterlit” is the most beautiful word I’ve read today. Thanks for hosting Poetry Friday. I came across a yummy article with all kinds of fun words. I couldn’t stop myself from finding haiku hiding in it. I’m sharing that this week.
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I think they’re trying to figure out a way to “save” it. Ironically the existing system clumps numbers in groups and lists them as used when only a small portion of them are. So there actually are quite a few numbers remaining. Weird.
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Thank you for the introduction to monotetras, and for hosting! Thank you also for providing the stunning photo for my poem. I am such a fan!
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Every time I read your poem, Tabatha, I appreciate it more. Thanks again!
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Thank you for sharing, and thanks for hosting! Kudos!
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[…] Hogan a sensitive photographer, poet, and teacher is hosting the Poetry Friday roundup at her blog Nix the comfort zone, thanks for hosting Molly! She has an incredible post this week featuring a new to me monotetra […]
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Molly, your photo at Margaret’s This Photo Wants To Be A Poem…was so breathtaking that I chose to add it to my blog tonight. It led me to a quiet place, so I thank you and Margaret for sharing. You are always finding the right touch for your poems and this poetic form is a brand new one for me.
The unused ones are going fast.
One code can’t last.
I enjoyed your word play here and thanks for sharing’s Tabatha’s poem. Her line “buttersoft lit morning” added to my quiet time moments of contemplation. Thanks for hosting today.
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The marsh is such a magical place and I’m so glad you felt that from my picture. I loved the serenity of your post today.
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Gorgeous post Molly, sending my woes out to you for your diminishing area code–wonderful poem, and I enjoyed learning about a monotetra too! Tabatha’s poem–an umbrella made of flowers for a snail– well I was captured after these first lines–and that snail will sail on to her destination taking us all there gracefully–with Tabatha’s keen metaphors, and your beautiful image. Thanks for hosting Molly.
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Thanks, Michelle!
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[…] be sure to visit my friend Molly Hogan at Nix the Comfort Zone for the Poetry Friday […]
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A lifetime ago, I had a 207 area code. I suppose it was inevitable that the numbers would run out, but we “must concede it.” You may think it feels clunky, but I think you nailed this form. Tabatha’s “buttersoft lit morning” is swoon-worthy, and her poem is a perfect meditation on your stunning photo. Thank you for hosting today, Molly!
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Thanks, Catherine. It was a tough one to write, especially cause I finally had to ax a verse with some of my favorite rhymes. Sigh…
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[…] pre-order your copy now! And for all of today’s poetry links and fun, head over to Nix the Comfort Zone, where Molly Hogan is hosting today’s Poetry Friday roundup with the comfort zone of a snail […]
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I’ve heard about my neighbors to the north possibly losing their exchange – so sad that they’re running out of numbers, even though most providers are apparently not even using them. But congratulations on tackling the monotetra – I’m sure it wasn’t easy! And what a beautiful poem from Tabatha….thanks for sharing both, and for hosting!
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Thanks, Matt. The monotetra wasn’t easy, but sometimes a difficult form like that is a great focus. It’s hard to worry about other things when I’m trying to find a four syllable rhyme for anachronistic! lol (sadly I had to cut that verse…)
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To see it Molly, is to understand it. Your monotetra revealed its secrets.I shall be keenly following up on this form, no doubt about it. You put it to good purpose in addressing a local issue -most relevant. It does seem that someone is always tinkering at the edges of our comfort zone. They say change is a constant, but I am becoming picky as I move along life’s journey. I find myself asking why? a lot more. Some change is good- some is quite questionable… Thanks for hosting.
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I love your comment that “someone is always tinkering at the edges of our comfort zone.” Too true! I’m a bit change-averse but am working on improving my mental flexibility. If we end up having to add an additional code, I’m sure I’ll adjust.
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I love your monotetra & actually writing one so well gave us all a mentor poem, Molly. We had to change our code some years ago, too, and although the city was in need, it still was a jolt that made us all feel displaced. You’ve shown that feeling well. That snail that Tabatha wrote about would be pleased to know that only the spectators are wincing while it calmly lives its life as Tabatha so deftly showed us. Thanks for hosting!
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It’s funny how we can identify so strongly with something like an area code. After reading about our potential change, I looked it up and was surprised to find that there are actually quite a few states with only one area code. Who knew!?
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Thank you for introducing me to the monotetra. I hope to try one soon, and I love yours–though I feel your pain at losing an area code. And Tabatha’s poem is wonderful–what great words (buttersoft, glisten, and bestowing with that high-up eye) to surprise me with beauty in a snail.
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Tabatha’s language is gorgeous! I actually wrote a previous post (and chronicled it with photos) about watching this snail move from one flower to another. It was pretty breathtaking and undeniably beautiful.
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[…] more poems this Poetry Friday, visit https://nixthecomfortzone.com/2020/08/13/poetry-friday-is-here-2/—not only for poetry links, but also a post with two excellent poems where you can learn about a […]
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The monotetra form is totally new to me, but I love what you’ve created to honor the 207, Molly! Thank you for hosting and sharing Tabatha’s beautiful poem. And wow, the accompanying picture is spectacular as well. 🙂
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Thanks, Bridget!
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Molly, I think you’ve done an amazing job with this form! (Not sure it’s for me… a bit too restrictive!) And Tabatha’s snail poem… no, a snail doesn’t question herself. We humans have much to learn! And I have been learning from snails recently, too…One of my forthcoming picture books is Noah’s Ark from a snail’s perspective. 🙂 Thank you for hosting and sharing! xo
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Sometimes I find that the demands of a restrictive form can help me change my focus. I appreciate that so much these days. Congrats on the forthcoming picture book. What a great perspective!
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[…] Poetry Friday round-up is with Molly at Nix the Comfort Zone. […]
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I never heard of a monotetra, and I love yours. And Tabitha’s poem too. Thank you for hosting!
❤ Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
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This form is a challenge. I like that you chose a topic close to home. I can remember it being a huge deal when there was a new area code added to Louisiana and we were it. But now I can’t even remember what the former code was. We adjust.
Thanks for sharing Tabatha’s exchange poem. That image of the snail is evocative. I agree that her word choice is spot on. Thanks for hosting.
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I imagine I’ll adjust as needed if we have to change. Still, I like the “down home” feel of one code for the entire state.
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Such and interesting and, to me, new form, the monotetra, and you got the rhyme just right. Thank you for introducing it to me. I love the question in Tabatha’s poem, “Does the snail doubt her breadth?” Is she aware of the risk she is taking? Lovely poem.
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Tabatha used questioning so effectively here!
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Molly, I love what you did with this form. It does indeed look engaging and challenging and I’m inspired. Thank you!
Your photo is gorgeous. What a catch! And Tabatha paired it with such a lovely poem. Thanks for that, too.
Thanks for hosting this week!
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Thanks. I had a great time watching that snail move from one blossom to another. It did so at a pretty good pace, too! It’s amazing what you see when you stop and look.
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The snail poem takes me away, away, Molly. I love Tabatha’s celebration of it in poetry, as I chuckle over two oh seven’s imminent split up into who-know-what, undesirable #s. It reminds me of when my step-brother’s girlfriend (very older step-brother) was losing her job as a telephone operator, due to automation. What became of all those workers? What becomes of an area code region when it loses that numerical identity. Your lament captures the mood perfectly.
And extra credit for sharing this challenging form!
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The snail photo & poem. That photo is exquisite!
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Thanks, Jan. Writing a monotetra was a challenge, but a fun and rewarding one.
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This form is so perfect for your poem – the repetition is mournful! I say send it to your local paper – 207 deserves a fond farewell! Tabatha’s poem reminded me of Elisabeth Tove Bailey’s THE SOUND OF A WILD SNAIL EATING. Thank you for such delights and for hosting! Stay safe. xx
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Thanks, Amy. Now that you mention it, it’s kind of like a dirge. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we can avoid making the change.
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Molly, thank you for a wonderful poem (and for Tabatha’s as well!) and for hosting. I enjoyed the monotetra and look forward to trying one.
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Good luck with the monotetra, Tim!
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Thanks for hosting today. I remember losing our area code when I was a kid – I was CRUSHED and felt we would no longer be as special because we were being rolled into a neighboring city’s code area. I love that you used that to springboard into a poem. And a neat form, too! I’ll have to try a monotetra!
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It’s an interesting form though I kept having to tinker with it. I had to toss out a few verses that I just couldn’t wrestle into shape. I hope you give it a try!
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I also wanted to let you know that I loved the poem you shared, but couldn’t comment on your blog for some reason.
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[…] is Poetry Friday. Thank you to Nix the Comfort Zone blog for […]
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So impressed with your skill and effort on your first monotetra. It’s hard to lose numbers that seem such a part of us. Love Tabatha’s poem too.
Thanks for hosting.
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I still remember my childhood phone number and my grandfather’s license plate. It’s odd what sticks with us!
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Thanks for sharing your monotetra. I can relate to the changing area code. I remember when they started dividing up Chicago into different area codes–even though it was at least 25 years ago. And I’m excited to learn about another poetic form. I’m going to give it a try (although probably not today!).
The small poem is lovely, too.
And thanks for hosting this week!
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I love checking out the Ethical ELA prompts each month. They almost always have a new form for me to play with. Good luck giving the monotetra a try!
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Somehow I never made it to your post beyond grabbing the link! Sorry for my belated appreciation for your poem! I played with repetition this week, too, but I think yours wins the prize. Sorry to hear about your area code. My hometown in Colorado was shut out of the 303 and had to become 719. It just wasn’t the same. It felt like we were no longer a part of Colorado. So I feel your pain. 🙂
GREAT poem by Tabatha. It has a Kay Ryan feel to it for me.
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[…] Hogan, at Nix the Comfort Zone, hosts Poetry Friday this week. She wrote a poem about her new area code using a form I […]
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Molly, that monotetra is wonderful–the quest, the despair, the acceptance (or resignation, maybe). You really used those repeated phrases to great effect. I think it’s wonderful. And Tabatha’s poem is just beautiful. The world’s slowest monkey made me laugh! Thanks for this post and for hosting!
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Thanks, Laura. I also love Tabatha’s poem!
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Such glorious creativity over here, your poem (I’d not heard of this form either), and Tabatha’s. Thank you both. An area code, and an aerial snail….
And thanks so much for hosting this week! :0)
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Such clever word play in your comment, Robyn! Take care.
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