Here is my 2nd Quadrille for this week using the word “Friday.” A Quadrille is a poem of exactly 44 words, not including the title. I fell for another one of dVerse’s Quadrille prompts.
Fridays Are For Humping – Poem in 44 Words
On the hump back
From the field
We stepped fast,
With high knees
Under starred darkness.
In two columns
Side by side,
We stormed up hills,
Chasing the sunrise
ahead,
Until the sky above
Was bright,
Lighting up the
Barracks roofs,
Welcoming our
Friday.
Reflecting back on what Fridays used to mean to me
There’s something exhilarating about the challenge of crafting a Quadrille—distilling a vivid experience into just 44 words. This particular piece took me back to those early morning marches, or “humps,” we used to do. Fridays weren’t just any day; they symbolized the culmination of a week’s worth of grit and camaraderie.
I remember the rhythm of our boots hitting the ground, the chill of the pre-dawn air, and the stars fading as we pushed onward. Marching in two columns, side by side, there was a unifying energy—each step bringing us closer to the welcoming sight of the sunlit barracks roofs. That first light wasn’t just the start of a new day but a beacon of rest and reflection waiting at week’s end.
Writing this Quadrille reminded me how shared struggles forge unbreakable bonds and how the simplest routines can become profound memories. It’s amazing how a single word like “Friday” can unlock a flood of emotions and stories.
I’m really enjoying these prompts from dVerse—they’re like little creative marathons that keep me on my toes. Can’t wait to dive into the next one! Thanks for joining me on this poetic journey. Here’s to chasing more sunrises and embracing the stories they inspire.
Thank you for visiting with us. For more Poetry visit our blog at The Ritual.
The poem was written by dark fiction author, Willy Martinez, to be released on the Ritual Blog for Mind on Fire Books.
Author of dark fiction Mythology, “The Siguanaba” and short visceral fiction, “Flora.”
Willy Martinez is also featured in our anthology Mad Men, available for sale now.
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