Recitation’s Repetition (IP)

Cherry

By Rhiannonw

Sat, 29 Aug 2015
  • 3720 reads
14 comments
 

Based loosely on a memory of youth “Eisteddfodau*” of my childhood

“Now who will represent our school
in the local competition?
Who will try the solos,
and who the recitation?”
Most preferred the latter,
for vocal cords go tight
when standing solitary with
a touch of tense stage fright.

His daughter had been chosen
to recite at the prelims,
from which a few would go on stage
where whoever first prize wins
will represent the area
in the larger county round,
and the winner there would later be
for the ‘National’ Festival bound.

She didn’t think she’d really get
along that ladder far,
and so her Dad agreed to come
to listen to his ‘star’.
He liked the way she said her piece,
and thought it good experience
to take her turn and stand, perform
before a friendly audience.

The pleasant poem of an owl
could be recited through
quite quickly, ending with the line,
‘Tu-whit, tu-whit, tu-whoo!’
One child performed, and gave the hoot,
but after thirty-two,
he felt he’d never want to hear
another ‘whit’ or ‘whoo’!    

* 'dd' = hard ‘th’ as in ‘the'        'f' = 'v'        'au' = 'I'

 

[IP: poetry or prose with the theme of Performance Piece]

 

        

 

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

Comments

Submitted by Bee on

Lovely and so perfectly rhymed and timed.

Bee

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, Bee, glad you enjoyed it. I enjoyed the rustled up memory and trying to knock it into a shape! It is loosely based on an incident with my father, and I think, my sister rather than me (and an equivalent Welsh poem), and he hadn't realised what he was letting himself in for attending the prelim competition. All the schools got involved in these competitions throughout the country, with much enthusiasm. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by loquaciousicity on

Delightful poem about a wonderful tradition!!!

Great read...

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, Terry, very much, much appreciated. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Rhiannon

I really enjoyed reading this too, and it is always fun to know about when it is related to you or your family.

Our schools in the states were big on competitions too - and as I was a pianist, I went as accompanist with the choir and the band to various events over the years as we progressed in the competitions. We also had one for putting on a one act play, and we did well in that. I was Katherine the Shrew in a play called "When Shakespears's Ladies Meet".

Jean

Jean Day

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, Jean, glad you enjoyed this. These competitions did tend to encourage having a go and working hard, and quite nice sociability. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

Oh Rhiannon, you've captured it so well!  The last stanza had me laughing out loud.  Been there, done that.  Beautifully observed.

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, Airyfairy for letting me know. I'm glad I gave you a laugh. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

No matter how tedious and repetitive a child's recitation might be, we, the parents, will think that it is a magnificent performance and that our offspring is the most talented of the lot.
A well remembered anecdote, Rhiannon, and a well deserved cherry.

Luigi x

 

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, Luigi. Listening to many others recite the same little poem in a prelim can be a test of paretal desire to encourage one's offspring probably!Rhiannon

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

What a great I P Rhiannon,

It was endearing to read about a childs recitation, and believe me I know about those nerves before going out on stage.

Congrats on the well deserved cherries.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, Jenny. We used to find the nerves much worse if we tried to sing, or at least their effect on the vocal cords! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

What a lovely slice of Welsh culture, really beautifully put together.

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, Helen, I'm glad you found it so. Rhiannon