if
only
you knew now
what you’ll know then
you’d stop your fool self
from choosing this free way.
I know the thrill, sudden high,
dauntless fire, giddy confidence.
But remember the ignorant frog
dying — heat rising degree by degree.
****************************************************************************
Over at d’Verse Victoria is serving up Etherees. Go see and give it a whirl!
The Etheree was developed by Arkansas poet, Etheree Taylor Armstrong in the late 20th Century. An Etheree, based on syllables or words, is a geometric form, ascending from one to ten or inverted from ten to one.
The Etheree is commonly centred, but this one felt better left-aligned.
little learner 
May 20, 2016 @ 05:53:17
Loreen, The reversed POV on this is a great surprise! We always look backward – you flung us foreward to reflect. Love a twist!
May 20, 2016 @ 06:28:58
Thanks, Jilly! 😊
May 20, 2016 @ 06:29:23
Nice. “But remember the ignorant frog // dying — heat rising degree by degree”– this pair of lines was wonderful; a powerful conclusion
May 20, 2016 @ 06:47:53
Thank you.
May 20, 2016 @ 15:47:44
Yes I do remember the story… so very very clever how you used it for those habits.
May 20, 2016 @ 15:51:13
Thanks, Björn. Born of frustration, this piece!
May 20, 2016 @ 18:26:42
If I ever caught anyone doing that I’d have a fit I can tell you.
May 20, 2016 @ 18:27:54
Quite clever use of the form and the frog analogy as with the increase in syllables, the intensity (heat) also increases.
May 20, 2016 @ 18:29:27
😊 Thank you for seeing that!
May 20, 2016 @ 18:41:42
You’re welcome.
May 20, 2016 @ 21:11:20
Words of wisdom. Victoria pegged it. Each syllable by degree! Nice!
May 20, 2016 @ 21:48:03
Thank you! 😊
May 20, 2016 @ 21:57:38
I too admire the gem of wisdom and liking that ending line of the frog ~ Good one ~
May 21, 2016 @ 04:43:44
Thank you. 😊
May 21, 2016 @ 00:32:47
YES. I’ve often thought that the worms on the sidewalk should at least LOOK at the other (shriveled) worms, and think a minute before sunbathing…same for peoples. 😉
May 21, 2016 @ 04:44:35
😊
May 21, 2016 @ 02:08:20
Well written and your reference to a well known story hammers home your point. None of us want to be that frog!
May 21, 2016 @ 04:48:11
It’s difficult for youth to accept advice from age. Somehow teens think they’re immortal. Sigh.
May 21, 2016 @ 18:43:09
It’s true. Younger people really do teenagers and young adults even.
May 21, 2016 @ 17:33:50
Such a powerful close 🙂
May 21, 2016 @ 18:01:31
Thanks. 😊
May 21, 2016 @ 20:34:01
I like the shape of your poem and wow….the impact at the end was very effective.
May 21, 2016 @ 20:35:33
😊 Thank you.
May 21, 2016 @ 23:25:03
Words of wisdom indeed. If only we did know then what we know now…
Anna :o]
May 22, 2016 @ 07:10:14
SMiLes.. i rareLY
burN iN thE sUn
aS i neVer siT
oR stanD
i DancE
bY baKinG
aLL pARts eVenLY..;)
May 24, 2016 @ 00:19:59
Ahhhhhhhhh I LOVE IT!
May 24, 2016 @ 05:20:11
❤️
May 26, 2016 @ 04:17:19
Ooh, that final phrase really brings the message home!
May 26, 2016 @ 05:15:53
It is difficult for the youth to believe their elders were ever young. 😊
May 27, 2016 @ 02:00:14
I’ve watched you grow as a poet. This is an impressive piece.
May 27, 2016 @ 05:53:16
Thanks, Lorna. Full of flu at the moment and feeling in the literary doldrums.
Jun 01, 2016 @ 05:24:35
Flu is passing . . . and unfortunately so did your comment after I read it while attempting to remove a cat hair from my cellphone case . . . Today has been a comedy of errors — and it is only 5:24 in the morning. Hmm. Something is telling me I should go back to bed. 🙂