This month it was my turn to choose the Inklings challenge. I was intrigued by Wendy Everard’s prompt during Ethical ELA’s October Open Write to write a luc bat. Luc bat means six eight in Vietnamese, and the form alternates 6 and 8 syllable lines. There is no particular subject and no required length, but there is an interesting, interwoven rhyme scheme. Here’s how Writer’s Digest shows it:
xxxxxA
xxxxxAxB
xxxxxB
xxxxxBxC
xxxxxC
xxxxxCxD
xxxxxD
xxxxxDxE
You can read their full description here.
I knew I wanted to play around with this form, and I figured if I set it as the challenge, I’d be sure to do so. It turned out to be a relatively tricky form, at least for me. So, as I’m wont to do, I turned to the marsh for inspiration.
Again I Turn to the Marsh
dawn lures me to the marsh
some find this setting harsh and miss
the subtle shifts and bliss
of tide, land, wings that kiss the sky
as herons, egrets fly
gulls soar, their strokes a sigh, a clue
of movement against blue
and all that is askew turns right
My spirits, too, take flight
©Molly Hogan
If you want to see what the other Inklings did with this challenge, click on the links below:
Linda Mitchell
Margaret Simon
Heidi Mordhorst
MaryLee Hahn
Catherine Flynn
This week’s Poetry Friday is hosted by Anastasia Suen at her blog.
Nix the comfort zone 
How lucky I was to live overlooking the Great Marsh in Essex, MA. Your words bring me back!
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I was late to appreciate the wonders of the marsh and am trying to make up for lost time! You were indeed lucky!
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The luc bat is tricky, Molly, but you’ve made it look easy here. And without choosing a tricky rhyme form once in a while, we would never get to read gems like this: “of tide, land, wings that kiss the sky” Well done, and I love the title.
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Oh, Denise, the way to my heart is to make a positive comment on my titles. lol I struggle so with them. Thanks for making my day!
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[…] Heidi Mordhorst @ My Juicy Little UniverseLinda Mitchell @ A Word EdgewiseMargaret Simon @ Reflections on the TecheMary Lee Hahn @ A(nother) Year of ReadingMolly Hogan @ Nix the Comfort Zone […]
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And, as I am wont to do…be awed by your gentle, beautiful language. That word, “Again” is so full of meaning…and the subtleties of change on the marsh are perfect for poeming. Good challenges make good poets. Thanks for this one, Molly (you didn’t hear all my grumbles as I was looking for those rhymes before the end of lines)!
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Thanks, Linda! I actually debated “again” for a while, so I’m glad it worked for you. (I grumbled a few times as well! lol)
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oooof! I just typed a reply and it vanished. Let’s see if it shows up later and I can compare the two.
As I’m wont to do…be inspired by your capture of the marsh. That word, “Again” is full of meaning and adds a wonderful layer from the title. Your marsh is perfect for poeming. I like reading about the subtleties throughout the year as you communicate with it.
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lol Leaving this here so you can enjoy comparing 🙂 (Sorry for the frustration though!)
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oooof! I’ve typed out TWO replies and they both vanished…finally, I’ve logged in to word press. I’ll love seeing them if they turn up later and I can see them. As I am wont to do…I am inspired by your communication with the marsh. Those subtleties throughout the year are lovely for poeming and that word, “Again” from the title really adds a meaningful layer. Well done! Good challenges, make for good poets.
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Thanks for persisting! The other two comments went to me for approval (I assume since you weren’t logged in.) I find missing comments so aggravating! I appreciated reading all of yours though 🙂
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Molly, what a lovely form! I have not tried a luc bat, but your work has inspired me. I love how your rhyme scheme flows between lines in your work. Beautiful!
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Thanks, Tracey! The rhyme scheme is definitely what drew me to this form. I’ve been so excited to see everyone else’s poems and the versatility of the form.
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I played with the form in my post last week and really enjoyed it. I love the rhythm/meter it offers. The even-numbered lines, with embedded rhyme gives it a lilt. And all of it comes to life in your marsh – matching the flight of birds!
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I’ve been missing way too many PF posts lately and so I missed yours last week. I’ll go back and check it out. (It helps that I’m procrastinating on grading and report card comments! I’m finding all sorts of time to do other things today!)
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Thanks for the explanation of this form, Molly. I must say you’ve written a spectacular poem from the heart. I envy you your marsh, but find some of the lines kin to the lake where I visit. I love “wings that kiss the sky
as herons, egrets fly
gulls soar, their strokes a sigh” – my spirits soar, too!
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Thanks, Linda! I am forever grateful to natural places, like lakes and marshes, that revive my spirits.
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[…] MitchellMolly HoganHeidi MordhorstMaryLee HahnCatherine […]
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Wow, Molly! Your poem is amazing and heartfelt. I’m always in awe of your marsh photos and your words. Today, you nailed the challenging form that seems complicated to me, and you added many other rhymes and sounds. I’m in awe, again! I love your beautiful poem and photos. these lines I am especially taken with:
your title – Again I turn to the marsh,
dawn lures me (love, love lure and it has the same ur sound in turn)
wings that kiss the sky/as herons egrets fly
a clue of movement against blue
My spirits, too, take flight
I love how the rusty-orange marsh contrasts the gray sky and the how the one lone tree stands out. I love the pond photo that’s shaped like an eye with the reflecting mirror image of the clouds. Molly, your poem and photos have moved me and lifted my spirits. Thank you for sharing your joy, which has brought me joy. 🙂
Would it be all right if I wrote your poem in my journal as a mentor poem to study with a copyright sign by your name?
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Thanks so much for your thoughtful and kind comment! I am so glad my poem and photos resonated with you. Of course you’re welcome to use this as a mentor poem. I appreciate your asking and that you want to do so!
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Yes, that was a tricky form, Molly. Your poem sounds lyrical when I read it aloud.
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I think the rhyme scheme really creates a lyrical feel. Thanks again for hosting!
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Yes, it looks tricky, but you nailed it! Very nice indeed! I feel the same way when I linger in nature. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank goodness for Nature! I hope to travel down to the marsh again tomorrow morning 🙂
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Wow, I feel like you totally nailed this form. Your internal rhymes really emphasize all the beauty and mood the poem is about. Lovely, Molly!
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Thanks, Laura! The marsh is a powerful inspiration to me and this form felt suited to exploring that.
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What a beautiful poem, Molly! Your images are fresh and inspiring. I want to try this form – the rhythm and rhyme are so comforting – like music for the soul.
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Thanks, Rose! I hope you enjoy fiddling with the form. I found it tricky but rewarding. Have fun!
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I have never experienced a marsh. And yet…I have…through your words and photos. Thank you.
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Come visit!
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Goodness gracious, that’s good! And I say that having seen it before, but it hits with with an enveloping hug of muscular specificity. I especially love
“…a clue
of movement against blue
and all that is askew turns right”
I believe this is a very good form for you! Thanks for the challenge.
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Molly, I love how playing with the form led you to the beautiful line of “wings that kiss the sky.” Of course it is the marsh for you as the bayou continues to be my muse. I feel these watersheds connect us.
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“all that is askew turns right” describes what I feel when I am out witnessing what feels like an unspoiled setting. I like this form. Thanks, Molly!
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What a great challenge! I love the first line especially.
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This is stunning, Molly! You’ve conjured the marsh with your words so vividly I can smell the salt. Well done!
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I haven’t tried the luc bat form, Molly, but I’ll be returning to your poem for mentorship/inspiration when I do.
“their strokes a sigh” – nice.
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