Diacope

My Word: Diacope

Definition: Noun, Rhetoric. A literary or rhetorical device that emphasizes an aspect of the writer’s or speaker’s main idea through the repetition of words or phrases, which are separated by other words or phrases, as in “You’re a good dog, Gracie. Such a good dog. What a good dog.”

My Connection: I originally had a few ideas for words I was going to pick out for the D challenge. I then found diacope, and on the site I used, the definition was "deep wound or incision" which I was going to use for a poem about internal, psychological wounds. However, when I Googled the word, it gave the above definition, which felt even more apt as I love repetition. I have used repetition many times in poetry and fiction. It's a great way to really highlight a word, phrase, argument, point etc. I worry sometimes that people think it (not generally my friends here and regular readers) is lazy or could be taken that way. When, the reality, it's not.

I Had a hard time finding a suitable image to convey the repetition of words more directly, so I opted for this quirky image of a dress inspired by Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans, as Warhol used repetition for various reasons.

My Poem

Repetition for repetition

is not

laziness for laziness' sake

repetition for repetition

is for emphasis, to highlight, give emphasis to a point

*

The point is not to take up space

fill gaps, so to speak—

that is what the point is not

the point is that repetition

draws us in

leads us beyond the gaps, so to speak

*

Repetition like a mantra—memorandum

to make you stop—

is why it's there,

its purpose is to make you think

think beyond the repetition

to the why of the repetition—

whether part of the contrition

or some wholesome meditation

*

Repetition for repetition

is for

purpose and meaning

*

Thanks for reading!

Author's Notes: Trying to make sure I meet deadlines before I'm away for a few days and internet is a bit sketchier. For Penny Fuller's wonderful and inspiring ongoing unusual words challenge, the D part, which you can find out more about here:

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