that was me, just hiding out
from all that nothingness, out there
unbound. No walls, doors, keys,
screening speak-easy strangers
spectral space. Lost in the leeway
evaporated
I found a box and put a room inside
seeking that safe way out
so I built it all, starting small
scraps scrimped for a bed-sit
doll's house size with effigy
of me, being moxie daily
easing through the exit
chary-like, not just thrust out
discharged
I found a box and put a room inside
but the room just grew smaller
like Alice I spread, expanded, stood
gotta take big breaths, gotta get out
join those strangers in space
that's my story, learnt to live without
asylum
I found a box and put a room inside
For my MTB prompt: Boxing Clever with ‘The Bop‘ – a poetry style by Aafa Michael Weaver of 23 lines, 3 stanzas (6/8/6) and 1 line given refrain. The emphasis is on lack of rhyme and minimal grammar with a problem posed, expanded, and resolved or not.
PoetryPix 
Wonderful, and using the last stanza for more of a failure then finding contentment in that little shelter, expanding out in the streets again… I feel like moving in circles.
thanks Bjorn – outgrowing the little shelter we can stand up at last
Your poem is a fantastic example of how the bop is done, Laura! I love the way you end each stanza with a one-word line, so effective. I especially love these lines (including the internal rhyme):
‘so I built it all, starting small
scraps scrimped for a bed-sit
doll’s house size with effigy
of me…’
thanks for noticing that Kim – the one word liner felt pivotal
You show us how it’s done, Laura. Loved your use of alliteration, and the whole poem weaving its way in rhythm and rhyme to find a way out into the world again.
what an encouraging comment – thank you Dora
Most welcome, Laura.
I like the way you used the title, which means one thing in some circles, but you expanded it to describe a world where one has never felt protected. It breaks my heart.
thank you for such a heartfelt comment Lisa – the insitituiton as protector is hard to leave as many have discovered who have been ‘released’
❤
I like the contrast between the first and last stanzas–unboxed, but in very different ways. (K)
your observation so spot on – thank you Kerfe
This puts me in mind of the Gnarls Barkley song “Crazy.” I love the reference to Alice and her changes in stature. I really enjoyed writing for this unfamiliar Bop form, so thank you so much for a fun and challenging prompt!
crazy certainly was certainly part of this poem – thank you for that and for joining the prompt
“screening speak-easy strangers in the spectral space” a strong phrase, and I feel the unease it evokes. Brilliantly written bop!
I appreciate your sensitivity beyond just the words – thank you too for such high praise
What a challenge you set us, Laura! Your poem represents the form beautifully. The content made me read it again and again so I could grasp the inner workings of the subject. Spot on!
my first time at ‘the Bop’ but once I had the subject the form followed so thank you Carol for that
I find the words to be soothing and empowering, thank you for sharing the poem!
a very welcome response – thank you
Hi Laura, thank you for this great prompt. Your poem is wonderful, very Alice in Wonderlandy 🌺
and thank you for your kind words and enthusiasm
Your Bop is deep with meaning .. spreading / expanding / out of our self imposed boxes / what life is all about .. if we are fortunate. A poem that absolutely resonates with the reader. Thank you for a most unique challenge … great for jump-starting my old muse!
many thanks Helen for jumping back in with The Bop and for your insightful feedback
A very moving statement of emergence Laura. Not easy to reveal oneself to this world. Well expressed my friend. ✌🏼😕
spot on Rob- emergence sums it up so thank you for your insight
As usual, you show the way, Laura. A compelling write with alliteration, allusion and the stark contrast between the first and third stanza.
and thank you so much for all your observations and kind feedback