Whistling
While wandering
Solo
On serene Saturday morn
Through the sleepy park.
Listening
As birds chirp
From towering treetops
While the sun ascends
Silent mountain peaks.
Watching
Birds glide in graceful patterns
Silhouetted against
The shimmering silvery sky.
Singing
Softly
Along to songs
Serenading from the
Car's radio.
Writing
Wisps of words
Whispered to preserve
These precious,
Peaceful moments.
In this poem, you probably notice a pattern: I’ve leaned into using gerunds to begin each stanza. Gerunds, those -ing forms of verbs, can imbue a poem with a sense of ongoing action and immediacy. They help paint a picture of continuous experience, which I find perfect for capturing moments like a peaceful Saturday morning stroll or the subtle movements of nature.
While I often use gerunds to create rhythmic patterns and a flowing narrative in my poetry, I know this style isn’t universally embraced. Some find it repetitive or prefer more static descriptions to convey their visions.
Do you enjoy the dynamism gerunds bring to poetry, or do you steer clear of them in your own writing? I’d love to hear your thoughts and preferences on this poetic technique. Chime in with your insights and let’s discuss the myriad ways we can approach the art of verse!