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Deliberately Obtuse

Abecedarian Challenge Entry

By Paul StewartPublished 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago 1 min read
Deliberately Obtuse
Photo by Dan Meyers on Unsplash

avoid the obvious

beyond the ordinary

cauterize the old ways

defy the conventions

euologise the traditions

fenestrate the cultural norms

gouge away like pixies on what is expected

hack the hacks

invent the unnecessary

just write

keep writing

like the masters

masters of their own craft

nuisances of form and order

obtuse, deliberately obtuse

pass the point of no return

quit the quiet ways

reap the creative beast

shield not the words that need to be spoken

trust your inner voice

use it

vex the naysayers

wax lyrical

xox to the critics

you can because you can

zephyr away from the tried and tested to victory

*

Thanks for reading!

Author's Note: Thank you, Mackenzie. You helped inspired this a little.

fact or fictioninspirationalperformance poetrysocial commentary

About the Creator

Paul Stewart

Award-Winning Writer, Poet, Scottish-Italian, Subversive.

The Accidental Poet - Poetry Collection out now!

Streams and Scratches in My Mind coming soon!

Reader insights

Outstanding

Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!

Top insights

  1. Compelling and original writing

    Creative use of language & vocab

  2. Excellent storytelling

    Original narrative & well developed characters

  3. Heartfelt and relatable

    The story invoked strong personal emotions

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Comments (13)

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  • Stephen A. Roddewig2 years ago

    #WeDemandARecountForStewart

  • Mackenzie Davis2 years ago

    "trust your inner voice use it vex the naysayers wax lyrical xox to the critics you can because you can zephyr away from the tried and tested to victory" Need I add more to your gorgeous? This is one of my favorites, Paul. Just beautifully rendered. I see echoes of our past conversations in here. This helps me feel boosted in my endeavors, my friend. Thank you for writing it. ❤️ PS: xox to the critics, indeed. A struggle to do so, but necessary.

  • Test2 years ago

    ‘gouge away like pixies’ !!! 💕🎶 You already know that’s my favorite line, but I reread this multiple times and every word was needed. I love how you carried this powerful message throughout all 26 lines. When I saw the title, I thought deliberately obtuse would be an insult. I thought, “Here go hell come, Paul wrote a diss track.” I’m a little sad you’re not rapping again. But this is a most delightful perversion of calling someone obtuse. Yes! Let go of the rules. Lose yourself.

  • Kelsey Clarey2 years ago

    I have to agree with the other comments here: xox to the critics is my favourite line!

  • Xox to the critics! That was my favourite! This Abecedarian was awesomeeee! 🍩🥐

  • Another masterpiece…✅🤩 Thanks Paul. Love… “ fenestrate the cultural norms.” I attempted to learn Italian when at school 🥹… finestra (window) was one word which stuck! Defenestrate is delightful too!

  • John Cox2 years ago

    Paul, you sure know how to have fun the explicit and implicit use of language. A wonderfully arch poem.

  • Test2 years ago

    Fabulousy constructed- XO the critics-Brilliant!

  • Silver Daux2 years ago

    This is amazing!! In particular, "cauterize the old ways" is such a powerful line. Well done!

  • L.C. Schäfer2 years ago

    Pssst! Looks like you missed K!

  • Giving the timing and the title, I was really excited to see if you borrowed the "xylophone-Zambia" verse I started cooking. But this works on its own, so well done

  • Babs Iverson2 years ago

    Brilliant & beautiful!!! Love it!!!♥️♥️💕

  • Hannah Moore2 years ago

    This is, dare I say it, quite the juxtaposition of message and structure!

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