Anastrophe (an-as’-tro-phee): Departure from normal word order for the sake of emphasis. Anastrophe is most often a synonym for hyperbaton, but is occasionally referred to as a more specific instance of hyperbaton: the changing of the position of only a single word.
“I went to down to the river, amidst the water sparkling I spied an otter splashing—rose up my flagging spirits, like mists on a spring ‘morn.“ I wrote passage during my 18th century period. I wore breeches and carried a walking stick with a gold-plated knob at the end. I cut a jaunty figure, tapping along over the sidewalk. But, all-in-all I was an idiot.
Now, I am an even bigger idiot. I’ve broken up with Belle. We were engaged to be married for twelve years. I just couldn’t, as they say, “pop” question. There was always something. My latest excuse was all the money I lost betting on the Republicans to win the midterm elections. The odds were so good. My bet was cast at 5,000 to 1. It was a long shot, but I would’ve won millions. I could not face Belle with the bad news so I texted the breakup: “breaking up. Lunch date cancelled.” She texted back: “Loser. Dead man.” It was an idle threat, I thought.
Then, the doorbell rang. It was Belle. She was holding her father’s antique flintlock pistol, a firearm I admired for its craftsmanship and simplicity. It was .50 caliber and would make a hole in me the size of quarter. “Let me in you brute!” she cried aiming the pistol at my head.
I let her in. She shot me in the shoulder and left me to bleed to death. I reached for my cellphone and dialed 911. I was on the verge of death when the ambulance arrived. I am currently in the hospital recuperating. I didn’t squeal on Belle. She came to visit me yesterday and tried to stab me. A burly nurse wrestled her to the floor and subdued her.
The police took her away. I should’ve seen it coming.
