And now for our prompt. Because today marks the halfway point in our 30-day sprint, today I’d like to challenge you to write a poem that incorporates the idea of doubles. You could incorporate doubling into the form, for example, by writing a poem in couplets. Or you could make doubles the theme of the poem, by writing, for example, about mirrors or twins, or simply things that come in pairs. Or you could double your doublings by incorporating things-that-come-in-twos into both your subject and form.

In response to this prompt, my thinking initially led me down the doublethink route of Orwell, but then I went on to consider ‘Very British problems’ and our tendency to say the opposite of what we mean.  After the rigours of yesterday’s san san, today’s poem is just a bit of fun.

dinner party

Great to see you! Yes, I’m good.
Lovely dinner, favourite food.
Brussels sprouts are always nice
and such delicious pudding rice!
I love dogs, honest, he doesn’t smell.
And how are you? You’re looking well.

Actually, you’re tired and pale,
that slobbering dog should be in jail.
Brussels sprouts don’t make me sing
and pudding rice is not my thing,
You haven’t picked my favourite food
and I’m not feeling very good.