L. Burton — devious as she is — posted a half-sestina as her challenge piece for Jilly’s August Casting Bricks Challenge. Not that I’m not up to the task….
wikipedia
Sometimes those lemons that are squeezed from life
can leave a sour taste in the mouths of children
and adulthood thrusts upon them less time
than they had before to play and dream.
What they wouldn’t give for some special words
to carry with them, to hold and treasure.
Like the attic trunk overflowing with treasure
immeasurable memories before life
became chaos, before silence was words
before the steely grip of a child’s
nightmares tangled with hopeful dreams,
tripping along with the angry flow of time.
Resilient are they, and know in time
the importance of what’s to be treasured;
tap dance on the devil’s schemes, dreaming
on pale blue skies, contemplating life
as only the wonder of a child
can bring. Chalk-dust scribble all the words.
When mystery meets meaning, say the words,
the ones that had been trapped in time.
Amber-bound fossils. Children
who once upon a time were. Treasure
every coo-coo-clock crisp of life.
Treat life not so lightly, but dream
of playground chaos. Dream
those now nearly sacred words:
Hopscotch, Jump Rope. Before life
intruded, adulthood stole golden time.
It is chalked memories we treasure.
Remember what it was like to be children?
So much leaves a sour taste, children!
So long since we could play and dream.
Dreams we carry, hold and treasure.
What we wouldn’t give for some healing words!
Adulthood has thrust upon us, taking time
to deliver lemon upon lemon – a lemonade life.
Why are children infected with life?
Why do our dream bubbles empty with time?
We search for lost treasure, gaining only words.
Life in Portofino 
It appears we were both working on Lynn’s Sestina at the same time! You did such a wonderful job with this, Charley! Leomon upon lemon – that has such a beautiful ring of accuracy, but the very best are the last 3 lines. Essential questions. Bravo!
Here’s my take on Lynn’s words:
https://jillys2016.wordpress.com/2017/08/26/legacy/
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Thank you, Jilly! I was just visiting your take. I like where you carried it!
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Charlie, you and Jilly are both to be lauded. I bow to your expertise! So well done.
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Thank you! I think Jilly kept it more in tone. It was a fun exercise and an encouragement to attempt my own sestina. Why don’t you give it a go?!? 🙂
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Haven’t done a sestina. The word scheme makes my head spin. I have done a villanelle though!
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Start with Lynn’s. Like training wheels! I haven’t done a full one yet, either. I’m working on one now.
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Form poetry is like quilting for me. The exactitude drove me absolutely nuts. Give me the lovely hodge-pudge of a crazy quilt — texture, color, random shapes, a piece of lace here, a ribbon there, some embroidery, and I’m in heaven!
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I understand! Well… I’m glad you enjoyed my attempt at fitting into the form. Keep an eye out for when I actually do my own!
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Devious, eh? Bwahaha! 🙂
I love the sound of lemon upon lemon – lemonade life and those questions at the end! I know how much you love the sestina (not), so I thank you for not only taking this on but also completing it in that most capable and excellent way that you do.
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Actually, for all my squawking, I am in preparations to inflict a sestina upon the WordPress reading world… and, perhaps, beyond.
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All right! I’m sure you’ll do it up quite nicely.
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