Triolets by Joan Dobbie

 

Photograph by Michael Coghlan

 

 This summer I was thrilled that my teacher Joan Dobbie was able to join my poetry group's open mic and workshop on the theme of COVID-19.  She brought with her a few triolets.  Some of them plus a few more are published here.

For more information about the triolet, see this link: https://poets.org/glossary/triolet. I encourage you to try this poetic form.  Even if you are as committed to free verse as I am, the triolet is worth a try.  

Here are Joan's triolets.

IT'S RARE BUT IT COULD HAPPEN
Joan Dobbie

I live in a blossoming fairy tale world
With white picket fences and grass well manicured
Trump signs on car bumpers, flags ever unfurled
I live in a blossoming fairy tale world
And still something bad happens to my little girl
Who falls sick from that virus and cannot be cured
I live in a blossoming fairy tale world
With white picket fences and grass well manicured

 

 

 

 

IF I SHOULD BE BLACK
Joan Dobbie

If I'm a black person and I'm wearing a mask
It's a sad fact, some zealot might shoot me
If I'm a black person and I don't wear a mask
I might get sick. I might die, that's a fact.
If I am a black person and I run off the track
If I'm a black person and I'm wearing a mask

If I'm a black person and I don't wear a mask...
It's a sad fact, some zealot might shoot me

 

 

 

 

 

 

THAT WOMAN
Joan Dobbie

The park was opened up, so that woman brought her kids
The sign by the slide and swings said NO, but that woman, she said YES

What good's a park? the kids complained, "If we can't ride the rides?
The park was opened up, so that woman brought her kids

to set them free for just a bit  ---and now the park forbids?
Four kids all going wild at home, her house and brain a mess

The park was opened up, so that woman brought her kids
The sign by the slide and swings said NO, but that woman, she said YES

 

 

 

 

 

BRIGHT LIGHTS AND TRAFFIC
Joan Dobbie

They want me to work, but the traffic is crazy
And wherever I look the world's full up with people

I got to like it at home, my sweet yard bright with daisies
They want me to work, but the traffic is crazy

I'm not ready, you see, it's not that I'm lazy
It's more like I can't leave my yard and feel peaceful

They want me to work, but the traffic is crazy
And wherever I look the world's full up with people

 

 

 

WORKING TOGETHER
Joan Dobbie

We were sitting so close I was breathing your breath
That familiar joining I used to love

But now that I fear it could carry death
(We were sitting so close I was breathing your breath)

This working together is somethig I dread
My instincts were screaming, Back off, man! Just move...

We were sitting so close I was breathing your breath
That familiar joining I used to love

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I want to add a few more tributes to those we have lost to COVID-19.  This tribute from the PBS News Hour is from May, but I did not recognize all of the names: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUNnkHSPl-Y

 

This tribute from ABC is also from May.  It is touching but interesting to see what the friends and family members have to say: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S72495fQRvo 

 

I will add a little music here.  Last night I was listening to a YouTube video of pianist Walter Bishop, Jr.'s music, so here are a few for you.

 

This is "Speak Low": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUl6P-OgWvw&list=PLA1G5YHiAXUEXPwzg8o2TQW9uC8h4EOaw

 

Here is a recent version of Bishop's "Keeper of My Soul": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e80_VMuKdN4&list=PLA1G5YHiAXUEXPwzg8o2TQW9uC8h4EOaw  

 

I'll finish with Bishop's own version of "Alone Together": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TizUk7j4PQ8&list=PLA1G5YHiAXUEXPwzg8o2TQW9uC8h4EOaw&index=7