Seville Paseo
Flamenco taps end silence
lovers utter sighs
on Plaza de España
canal boats nearby.
Air begins to chill
as the blind man sits and cries
night befalls Seville.
——
Linked to dVerse Poets Pub — dVerse — Poetry Form: Seguidilla Grace is hosting tonight as we learn about a poetry form called Seguidilla. The Seguidilla began as a popular dance song of Spain. The verse form was established and branched into variations by the 17th century. It has an alternating long short rhythm. The Seguidilla is:
• stanzaic, written in any number of 2 part septets. (7 lines)
• syllabic, 7-5-7-5 : 5-7-5 per line. There is a slight pause between L4 and L5 suggesting L4 should be end-stopped.
• rhymed by assonance xAxABxB or xAxABAB. x being unrhymed. True rhyme is generally not used.
• composed with a volta or change in thought between L4 and L5.
• sometimes serves as a conclusion for another verse.
There is such a difference of emotions and images between the first part and second part. How sad for the blind man. Thanks for joining in.
Thanks for teaching us seguidilla – I think I like this form.
And THAT, Ladies and Gentlemen, is how it’s done.
Such kind words – thank you.
The blind man line took my breath away. First you had me thinking of fiery flamenco and love, then turned it to painful sorrow. Well done!
Thanks. At first, I thought my volta was too much of a change, but keeping it as an observation within a “paseo” made it work.
First there’s fiery love and flamenco. Then painful sorrow. Well done!
Masterful write! 🍷
Nice! I enjoyed the dramatic change in atmosphere between stanzas.
WOW. I think this is it exactly.
-David
Thanks David
You took a Spanish form and set it in Spain. Juuust right, Ron! I’m sure the old man is crying over a lost love. Nicely done!
Thanks. I am planning a trip to Spain and was just reading about Seville, so the Spanish form and Seville seemed like a natural.
Great on all counts. You’re welcome.
I am gutted that I never got to Seville when we lived in Malaga. We even booked the trip then called it off…then the pandemic happened. There’s a lesson in that! Great use of the form, locating it within the sultry streets of Seville!
If truth be known, I got Seville mixed up with Granada and the quote “Give him alms, woman, because there is nothing sadder in life than being blind in Granada” by Francisco de Icaza. By the time I figured out my mistake, I had already worked in my Seville locations and photo.
From lovers to the tears of a blind man….a million stories in the naked city ….
This is lovely and evokes the ‘feel’ of Seville!
Brilliant! When you get to Spain, the cathedral in Salamanca is well worth a look. Among the carvings on its stone façade is an astronaut.
Thanks for the tip. The first draft of our itinerary has an overnight stay in Salamanca on the drive from Porto, Portugal to Toledo, Spain.
This is lovely
I really think that the blind man can cry both from joy and sorrow… just hearing the music is emotional.
Ron, you took me there – lovely delicate and evocative writing, artfully, confidently and knowingly put together.
Well done Ron! I really like your form on this poem. The twist at the end really works.
I read my comment from before and your response where you said you were getting ready for a trip to Spain. I can’t remember — did you take your trip?
I’m there now.
Nice! Spain is towards the top of my bucket list. Having a good time?
Yes. Just getting started though. It’s day 3 of a 42-day trip. Nice sure if I’ll have time to write or post until I get back.
Oh Wow. 42 days! If you get to the town with Gaudi architecture PLEASE take some pictures and post them when you get back. Bon voyage, Ron! Glad you checked in 🙂
Bon Voyage. Take pics of Gaudi architecture if you go there. See you on the flipside, Ron.
You’re in Spain right now, Ron? Say hola to Barcelona and Malaga (if you go there) for me!
Will do. In Barcelona now. Should pass through Malaga on Wednesday on our way to Ronda.
Wonderful! I love Ronda too!
Beautifully poignant!
Such a contrast, and haunting.