Stretch Your Mind with Palindromes

Palindrome is complex concept.

For our purposes of writing well, consider a palindrome a word, phrase, sentence, paragraph, or poem that reads the same backwards or forwards. Then realize that palindromes show up in other sciences and arts too: math, acoustics, and music to name a few.

Hüsker Dü‘s concept album Zen Arcade contains the songs “Reoccurring Dreams” and “Dreams Reoccurring,” the latter of which appears earlier on the album but is actually the intro of the former song played in reverse.

Back to letters…

“Mom” is a palindrome. Short words simplify the idea. Look at these…

• Dad
• Level
• Redder
• Racecar
• Diefied

Notice that, for palindromes, punctuation doesn’t count. Capitalize any letter; place spaces and punctuation marks anywhere. Consider letters exclusively. Check out these short sentences:

• Rise to vote, Sir.
• Name now one man.
• Never a foot too far even.
• Pull a bat, I hit a ball up.
• Yawn a more Roman way.

Quirky, fun, weird: yep. But…

Why Bother With Palindromes?

Mainly: they stretch your mind. Look close at them. Read them forwards and backwards. Enjoy larger and longer ones. Test the validity of each. And enjoy the quirky ideas that flow from one after another.

Look how long, complex, and extra funny these become—

• Harass sensuousness, Sarah.
• Doom, royal panic, I mimic in a play or mood.
• I saw desserts, I’d no lemons, alas, no melon, distressed was I.
• See slave, I demonstrate yet arts no medieval sees.
• Won’t lovers revolt now?

Here’s my personal favorite: “Drab as a fool; as aloof as a bard.”

Ultimately, though, there’s another level of mind stretching: make your own palindromes.

Check out Demetri Martin’s 224-word palindrome poem.

Many of the above Palindromes are well known.
Find others in Making the Alphabet Dance (pp. 32-34).