"The Front Porch Swing" ~ Licentia

"The Front Porch Swing"

My memory bank overflows with interest

When I call to mind, my reign as a princess.

My canopied throne, known as the front porch swing,

Delighted my reign with the thrill it would bring.

Limits were known and respected as such;

Perhaps that was why I adored it so much.

It took me to heights of glorious pleasure

I still recall and endeavor to measure.

Sealed forever in my mind is this prized friend

Who companioned my mornings; blessed my day's end.

 My memory bank overflows with interest

When I call to mind, my reign as a princess.

My canopied throne, known as the front porch swing,

Delighted my reign with the thrill it would bring.

Until brother, the jack, and sister, the queen,

Upended my reign once they entered the scene.

We sparred and wrangled as they reminded me,

"The swing was designed for the seating of three."

Back and forth we would go at erratic heights

No longer was swinging bestowing delights.

I relinquished my throne to my jack and queen;

Resorted to thoughts over which I could glean.

My memory bank overflows with interest

When I call to mind, my reign as a princess.

Limits were known and respected as such;

Perhaps that was why I adored it so much.

Soon we three siblings would forgive and forget;

Seat ourselves on the swing, and laugh at our debt*.

Ere long they would part, and relinquish to me

My beloved throne that was sacred to me.

The delight of its venue quickly returned,

And my status as princess was reconfirmed.

I'd swing for hours, feel the breeze blow my hair,

Engage in the moment, with nary a care.

My memory bank overflows with interest

When I call to mind, my reign as a princess.

© Barbra L.

*-preen; to groom; tidy

*laugh at our debt; find humor in why we sought forgiveness

*note; the word 'interest' can have two or three syllables (in-ter-est or inte-rest)

The Licentia Rhyme Form style of poetry is a form designed by Laura Lamarca.

*It consists of 3, 12-line stanzas with 11 syllables in each line.

*Its rhyming pattern is: aabbccddeeAA, BBffgghhiiAA, CCjjkkllmmAA

Lines 1 & 2, which begin the first stanza, are repeated at the end of stanzas one, two and three (and are italicized in my poem).

Lines 3 & 4 from stanza one, begin the first and second lines of stanza two.

Lines 5 & 6 from stanza one, begin the first and second lines of stanza three.

*The poem is for Tracey W.'s Poetry Please group challenge which was for members to use the prompt word "three" in poetry writing.