15 votes

Pebbles

I walk
by the stony brook
a path of pebbles at my feet.
I bend
to pick one up
and it is lovely.
Alas!
They number far too many
to read each one's story.
But
I will try.

2 comments

  1. [2]
    gpl
    Link
    I really like this! If you care to explain, I was wondering what your thinking was behind the line breaks.

    I really like this! If you care to explain, I was wondering what your thinking was behind the line breaks.

    3 votes
    1. Kind_of_Ben
      Link Parent
      Thank you! I've been sitting on this one for several years now thinking about sharing it (I don't share what I write very much). It's hard to explain why I made the choices I did with the line...

      Thank you! I've been sitting on this one for several years now thinking about sharing it (I don't share what I write very much). It's hard to explain why I made the choices I did with the line breaks, but I think they're mostly a rhythm thing for me? When I read poetry I often find myself reading too quickly and just flowing from line to line without thinking about what I'm reading, but line breaks slow me down and make me take it in more fully. So I guess line breaks are both a way of setting how I might want it read aloud and a way of controlling the presentation of images to the reader. It also helps highlight/create some moments like the repetition of "I walk/I bend", so there's that aspect of it too.

      I'm glad you asked, I just do what feels right and I've never had to articulate it before!

      3 votes