About the poem:

The style of this poem is contemplative and somewhat satirical. It explores the idea of promises,
their keeping and breaking, and the complexities and contradictions associated with them. The speaker
seems to take a somewhat cynical view of promises and their significance.

In terms of rhythm, the poem has a varied but generally regular meter. Many lines consist of tetrameter
(four stressed syllables per line), which gives the poem a structured and rhythmic quality. There are
moments of enjambment (lines flowing into each other without a pause) that break this rhythm, creating a
sense of conversational flow.

This poem was originally written in 1998 and has been rewritten and revised over the years to this 2023 version.



 copyright © 2023 Howard Kaplan