We
see
a tree! A tree!
Since it’s the last one living free
We will grab it quickly for our family.
A Tree!!!
Crop the lower middle to the
Top off!
Chop!!! Chop!!!
Don’t yet Stop!
Hear the Plop!
Chop! Chop!! Chop!!! Chop!!! Chop! Chop! Chop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
— Zumwalt (2011)
(see related poem https://zumpoems.com/2011/07/10/theyve-stripped-the-forest-for-babble/)
Zumwalt’s response to http://dversepoets.com/2011/11/17/form-for-all-beth-winter-hosts-staccato-form/#comment-5757 This is, in Zumwalt’s words, “a crime against this staccato form that pales in comparison to crimes against nature.”)
zumpoems 
Comments on: "Stop the chop, chop, chop." (21)
I like the way you use the form. Its sad that we are bent on destroying our planet…chopping off trees will someday kill us too.
Well done, Poet!
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Mohana,
Glad you noted that underlying form. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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amazing!! this isn’t like most of your poems.. but it’s awesome..lol.. i know i always say this, but you are an amazing poet.. with your poetry you inspire and give hope.. I’ts really so shockingly beautiful..:-D
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abchica,
Thanks much!
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Ah, this really flows. I like its staccato rhythm.
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Thanks! This is quite different than your typical Zumwalt, I think. Glad you read and commented!
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Well the thought behind the poem is noble and it does have a staccato sound.
It deviates completely from there. I don’t know what else to say. One doesn’t have to follow the “rules” of course to any form. However, as I have said before one must know what one is doing to pursue any art. One has but to hear a young musician practice to realize the long is road to becoming a professional musician. Picasso said one should learn how to paint realistically before one can deviate. He certainly proved that when he was forced to abandon his exploration of cubism during the world wars and paint portraits. I believe poetry is the same.
Thanks for reading and considering the form. We appreciate it.
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Anon,
Thanks for your thoughts!
I sort of enjoyed the way the form was “perverted”
aabbcc becomes aaaaaa in the first stanza — that being a special case of aabbcc just as a circle is a special case of an ellipse.
The repeat rules are kept as is the inner rhyme in line 1 and 2
And the syllable is abandoned (or is it just shortened?) The question one has to ask is how does the alteration in form support the message. Is the form chopped, cropped? (Notice that the first two lines is a 10 syllable line and when put back together….)
I guess the true test, in Zumwalt’s words, isn’t whether you enjoyed the poem — hating the poem is a very acceptable reaction — but the question is did you experience it — and the best result of all possibilities — did you read it to the end?
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Very nice! I enjoyed this and love the rhythm. Another good message 🙂
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Poetry & Icecream,
Thanks much!
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I have to say that I love the message. I can’t say that it is penned to the staccato form. I see elements of the form included in what I would consider a rhyming free verse. It may well have started with the structure but lost that to a more abstract expression and that is fine. Actually, I like that the form became the catalyst for creativity.
Regardless of the structure, I truly enjoyed your poem and support the message contained within.
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Beth,
Thanks! I think the form was the catalyst as seems some traces of the original foundation left. Thanks so much!!
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oh man…sad…we destroy life far too frequently in our con-quest …and to what end…really nicely penned…
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such a cool take on the form and wonderfully conveyed message…dang! somehow playful, somehow “mad” and very, very serious – i like
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claudia,
Thanks! Appreciate it!
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Hello and happy weekend . I have nominated you for the Liebster blog award. You are one of the most talented poets on this blog. Instructions are on my page. willow xxx
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willowdot21,
Thanks! Hope you had a great weekend also! It’s coming to a close now… I have a few more hours left on this side of the Atlantic — but on the other hand your next weekend will come sooner. Thankfully, we get Thanksgiving on Thursday here.
Thanks for the nomination. Very nice honor!
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My thoughts exactly! (Re: chopping down trees…………)
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Betty,
Thanks! I think we all want to be environmentalists — the test comes when we have to change our lifestyles.
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Very profound message delivered in a very creative manner. I concur. Save the trees!!!
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Strikes home the message with savage irreverence
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