The Poet of the Week for this week’s W3 Poetry Prompt #101 is Val (aka Murisopsis) who invites us to write a Cameo heptastich poem on the theme of Love.
For the details of Muri’s prompt please click here
- Form:Cameo;
- Heptastich (a poem in 7 lines);
- Syllabic: 2-5-8-3-8-7-2 syllables per line;
- Unrhymed, but end words should be strong.
- Theme: Love
The snapshot (shown below) is the first time I’ve seen this oil painting since I painted it in my teens. (No, I’m not saying how long ago that was!)
I gave the picture to a family friend as a wedding present. The painting depicts Hammersmith Bridge in West London. A familiar and fond sight throughout my childhood and young adulthood, as I was born and brought up in the area.
I hope my first attempt at the Cameo heptastich poem expresses my love for the bridge and the stretch of river where I learnt to sail. Perhaps also a little touch of nostalgia for my old home.
Hammersmith Bridge
Today,
The river’s air breathes
Through the elegant iron spanned bridge of
Hammersmith,
Upon dark brown squelchy mudflats,
Small boats wait to sail… once more,
Back home.
~
Lesley Scoble, April 2024
NOTES
The Cameo Poetry Form
I’d never heard of the Cameo form until Muri introduced it to me in her prompt. I looked at her Scavenger Hunt site and learned that it is of English origin and created by English poet Alice Spokes as an exercise in rhythm.
Who is Alice Spokes?
Does anyone know anything about Alice Spokes? I’ve looked everywhere to find information about her. I can’t find a thing!
Do you know something? Please let me know if you do.
Hammersmith Bridge
Hammersmith Bridge means home. I’ve walked across it many times. Sat on the grassy banks on one side, sketching it or just looking at it. On the other side, I would enjoy many occasions visiting the historic pubs such as the Blue Anchor where they have the longest pewter bar in the world, or the Doves where King Charles the second would liaise with Nell Gwynn. Did you know that there is a tunnel leading from the cellars to a summer pavilion in the centre of the nearby park, Ravenscourt Park for secret liaisons? Shush, few people know this (I found out one merry evening). Another favourite pub was the Black Lion near the Chiswick churchyard, famous for Quatermass and the Pit. What’s Quatermass and the Pit do I hear you ask? That’s another story.
For more facts about Hammersmith Bridge, please click here for Wiki.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
My thanks to our most gracious host, David, The Skeptics Kaddish, W3 Poetry Prompt.
Thank you, Muri/Val (aka Murisopsis) for your inspiring prompt and for introducing me to the Cameo poetry form.
Lesley lives in the City of London Square Mile. An artist, actor and sculptor (her first ceramic sculpture won the V&A inspired by… Award). Scenic artist & book illustrator, playwright (her musical play, Rapscallion performed in inner city schools and theatre school); TV dancer; Animator and illustrator for TV production. Set up Pinecone Studios Ltd and IIMSI Ltd drama and filmmaking workshops in London – producing award-winning films made by children.
LesleyScoble.com 
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