Jumping to Conclusions (IP)

By Rhiannonw

Sat, 19 Oct 2013
  • 3965 reads
14 comments
 

He thought he saw – and told his friends –
a floating, waving ghost.
They looked themselves and saw it was
washed clothes caught round a post.

He thought he saw – the kids he scared –
a flying witch and broom.
Next night he saw how he’d been duped
– eyes tricked by light of moon.

He thought he heard words critical,
and shouted wildly back,
if he the scene could have replayed,
there had been no attack.

He thought he saw a UFO,
but others disagreed,    
for they saw but a phantom sun,
– mistake he’d not concede.

He thought he saw a monster rise,
up from the lake at night,
it sank again, he didn’t know
a prankster planned that sight.

He thought his friend betrayed his trust,
and swore and wouldn’t stay:
another’d overheard and told
– his haste led him astray.

Certificate U
Poem
Families
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by Ray Schaufeld on

This is such a mixture of humour and pain. The rhymes fit well with it too          Elsie

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Elsie. Yes, misunderstandings can be funny, but can be so tragic. My mind went to the 'He thought he saw …' (Lewis Carroll) nonsense poem, and linked up with real misunderstandings I've had painful experience of where conclusions were wrongly jumped to, and there was no listening to reason or denial - so the person(s) remained quite unnecessarily hurt. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Linda Wigzell Cress on

Hi Rhiannon. I love the quirky phraseology - and as a lover of Alice who learned 'Ewas Brillig...' by heart at a tender age -  I spotted the Lewis Carroll connection at once.  A good poem with serious ideas presented in a lighthearted way. 

Linda

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Linda, I'm so glad to know it  worked as I wanted.
Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Very cleverly written, Rhiannon, and a brilliant take on the I.P.

Tina

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Tina. It was about the ease of misunderstandings in general, but that was where my musings on the phrase took my mind! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Bee on

Shows how easily it can all get out of hand. I thought this was really good writing, Rhiannon.

Bee

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Bee. Yes, so easy to make assumptions and not be willing to reconsider or listen properly, to the pain of all concerned. Rh

 

Submitted by Sooz006 on

Nice rhyming, reads nicely aloud. 

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Hullo, thanks, that's good to know. Nice to hear from you. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Art of the Diver on

Nice one Rhiannon... perception is such a strangely coloured bird and often unfound... cheers for a piece well found... take care

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you for your read and comment, Art. I know someone whose mind is failing, but all his life he's not been willing to accept he's made a mistake in his memories and accusations. And now his reasoning powers have more or less gone. It is very sad when he seems hurt, but totally unnecessarily so. He forgets his anger, but I don't know whether he really sees his mistakes.
Rhiannon

 

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Rhiannon

How true it is that one can see objects or hear things, and interpret them incorrectly. I really like this poem.

Jean

Jean Day

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, Jean. I can't remember what the IP phrase was that week, but I suppose something to do with misunderstandings! Rhiannon