Repetition & Echo

Posted by5thgenerationgirlPosted inUncategorizedTags:

The following poem by Thomas Lux is an example of a style known as pantoum, where the lines are repeated and the pantoum is written in quatrains (the second and fourth line of each stanza become the first and third of the next. Therefore, “the principle is one of repetition and of echo”.

                       All The Slaves


       All the slaves within me
       are tired or nearly dead.
       They won't work for money,
       not for a slice of bread.

       Tired or nearly dead,
       half underwater, wanting
       merely a slice of bread:
       the inner slaves, singing,

       Half underwater, wanting
       only a few flippers to swim,
       the inner slaves, singing
       the depth-charges within.

       Only a few flippers to swim!
       And a sensor to sense the sound
       of the depth-charges within-
       that's all they ask for aloud.

       A sensor to sense the sound,
       a hearer to hear the small aurals:
       that's all they ask for aloud.
       They're slaves with slaves' morals.

       Hearers hearing small aurals
       they won't work for money.
       They're slaves with slaves' morals,
       all these slaves within me.

Published by 5thgenerationgirl

Tammy Wynette is a mother of three and a “G-MA” (grandma). Born in Warren, Arkansas, she currently resides in Sacramento, CA and is pursuing an AA degree in English at American River College, with plans to transfer to California State University, Sacramento (Sac State). She is an active leader and role model in her community, she works with teens sharing and teaching poetry, as well as providing insight for young parents to prosper. She has certificate from NAMI (The National Alliance on Mental Illness) and is a trailblazer & Griot, keeper of stories/traditions passed down from her ancestors. As an Author and motivational speaker it’d be an honor to present at your events to inspire, encourage & let our VOICES be heard! She has short stories and poems published in Our Black Mothers Brave, Bold and Beautiful!

27 thoughts on “Repetition & Echo”

  1. Pingback: Repetition & Echo – Tonya LaLonde

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