Writing practice: continue with The Cat in the Hat in blank verse
[this is the start of act 3]
“Mute conscience, stymie fear,” wide-grinned the cat.
“This vicious fish would dampen all your fun.
Let’s elevate his thinking, shall we now?
Let’s force him to repent for backward thoughts!”
[lacking metaphor, but just keep going. get through the whole first draft, then editing is easier]
“Oh children, don’t you see?” shrill-pled the fish.
“The visage of this danger’s masked with fun!
His entertainment has a venom’s bite!
When evil smiles then you see its fangs!”
“Your fears are frowned upon,” fork-tongued the cat.
“Don’t worry my two friends with wrong-think blues!
The only danger’s panic that you’ll cause
With lies and hatred for the common good.
Let’s play a game I call “A Fish with Scales”,
For without balance then he’ll not be fish!
Dear fish, it seems the tide has hap’ly turned,
And now your interest lies in my success!”
The cat then brought out books and milk and cake
And lifted fish and bowl above his head.
“You see the consequence of all your lies?
You’ve manifested danger for yourself!”
He hoisted fish yet higher still with rake,
While adding man and fanning flames with fan
And deep beneath his grin a faintest growl:
“Foul fish your cauldron bubbles trouble now!”
But subtle lessons life won’t always give.
Those children, eyes agape with mouths to match,
Saw then that crashes often happen fast
Soon after fun obliterates all care.
[ok, continue tomorrow]