PARATAXIS is a figure of speech or literary technique involving the placing of words, phrases or sentences next to each other without the use of synchronizing conjunctions (words that link other words and phrases together). PARATAXIS is a writing style giving equal importance to each element, creating both flow and effect. It is found in diverse works of literature, prose, poetry, slogans and phrases. Parataxis is utilized to create and emphasize THOUGHT-PROVOKING, unrelated imagery. I have observed this in several poems written by many poets. It is often used in rhetoric style, in delivering speech, sometimes presenting concepts one after another with logical connections, sometimes even in simplifying language, in playful, fun or in a simple manner. Parataxis in Poetry is often used as 2 different objects or concepts written side by side. The juxtaposition between entities gives rise to the readers to make their own interpretations. We recently offered this technique to poets. They were given the option to write prose, poetry or a passage using this particular technique in short, simple sentences without conjunctions, in vivid imagery and/or in metaphorical expression. Out of the 16 who entered, ILA Magazine chose 8 poets to be featured. "In Cadence is the Verity" All that was
All that is
All that will. © Ernest Kemedikumo Clinton Nigeria "Untitled" a gray day a silent whisper the black snow the beethoven moonlight a wandering crow those two eyes a blurred window an empty room and the paralyzed hope © Mehran Hashemi Iran "Whispers of Nature's Silent Song" Misty morning, quiet meadow, Soft whispers, dancing shadows. Gentle breeze, a robin's song, Sunrise paints, a world reborn. Leaves rustle, secrets unfold, Raindrop symphony, stories untold. Babbling brook, winding path, Moonlit dreams, a starry bath. Silent echoes, a poet's sigh, Canvas of stars, a cosmic tie. Serenade of night, woven dreams, Infinite sky, where wonder gleams. Amidst all, fragile hope, Junctions weave poetic depth. © Concetta Pipia US "Life's Journey" Cocoon. Fresh. Soared. loved. risked. victorious. unscathed. scars. triumphant drowned. breath anew. she lived. they relieved chances taken, odds met life's journey, no regrets. © Rosemarie Miranda Philippines "Moments of Our Lives" Moments of our lives Swift flowing rivers Transient travelers One-way ticket holders Returning never. These precious times Ride it pen in hand Savor all flavors Paint vivid images Store in caches. Sail in its waves Surf its high crests Hide in its troughs Leave the debris Under the depths. © Myrtle Eve Philippines "She" She sat, she stared, she heaved, she swung,
she slipped, she rose She ogled, she smiled, she prayed. She dared, she blared, she cheered She moved, she wooed, she exuded Composed writ of will power. © Shiv Raj Pradhan Siliguri, West Bengal, India "AIR" Crisp cool air Sky so blue Kaleidoscopic beauty of nature (Parataxis Poem) "Risks" We fought, survived, cried Took risks, many chances lost Contemplating, giving it a try Reciprocity living in harmony Like a cacophony, silent scream Hidden away, in numbness angst Found some wisdom to be strong Tread into clarity, optimism spell A milestone trekked journey Delighfulness wrapped around Passing the odds and ends Rejoicing to a triumphant life © Gloria Magallanes-Loeb SFO, USA "Red Tulips" My love is as deep as dying Mounting on a winged horse I came down flying with the wind, Even the moon seen daily is untrue And the eyes search for the stars shimmering in the Orion blue Dreams of my heart gives me no pleasure Garden of red tulips, withered and the tiny grass was adamant, Return back my stolen thought My heart is in a frantic fosse, As darkness say the dawn shall not come again My silence fades into shadows, I wander around like a lonely traveler in bane Lost in the jungle of love, thorn in wane. © Sheila Ann Malaysia