Yesterday marked the beginning of the November Poem a Day Challenge #NovPAD and The Poetry Pub has offered a set of prompts for the event, #PoPubPAD. Day 1’s prompt to start us off was: Hello.
Here’s my attempt.
“Hello,” from halouen, “to shout in chase” Or hala “to fetch” in old high-German A cry from one bank over the water To get the crossed ferryman’s attention. And though it was Mr. Bell’s invention, Thomas thought, “Hello” was better to greet The other in conversation, to tell The receiver, I’m here, ready to speak. “Hello,” is now a word of greeting And in that way it may bring one to the end of waiting, an invitation To say I am here and glad to see you. Hello! I see you there. Do you hear me? Can you help me across this divide, Rivers of experience, years made wide, By the current of circumstance and trial? Hello! I call to get your attention To catch your eye, to fetch your ear Possibility calls with connection What shall we say? Where go from here? (c) Randall Edwards 2022
Backward Mutters 