Form Poem Contest [Archive] - Page 2 - Literature Network Forums

Pendragon

10-18-2007, 11:34 AM

TheFifthElement

10-18-2007, 01:32 PM

Barbara, it begins to seem as if I have ruined your contest. I beg forgiveness. Look people. I have an illness, OK? It isn't going to go away, no matter how much I wish it would. And it sometimes makes me irrational. It goes with the illness. Take some time out of your busy schudle, and educate yourself about Bi Polar and you will understand me better. It is what others could and should have done, but they to this day refuse.

But don't screw up this contest for Barb, because you think you will hurt my feelings. I have lived with this stuff 13 long hard years. I will not stand by and see this contest destroyed over me. Hop to it and get some poetry in here. I will leave the forum entirely before I will be the cause of a single hurt feeling here.

You think I don't love you or care for you? Wrong number! I love you all. And I love you enough to let you go if that is what is best for you. Not one of you has entered a poem except me. Now get cracking and get those poems in. Time is wasting away. Never take me lightly, I mean what I say!

Pen, you haven't damaged the thread at all. Perhaps people are struggling for inspiration? I know I found the last form a challenge, and sonnets are really not my thing. I might write something, if inspiration strikes, but I can't make any promises on this one.

I think most people understand about your illness, and if they don't that's their loss not yours. Don't feel that you have to apologise for something which is outside your control, imagine if someone apologised to you for having a broken arm, or the 'flu. Just because your illness manifests in a different way doesn't mean that it's any different.

Sorry if that sounded like a rant - I have a friend who suffers with depression so I've seen the effects from the outside. I understand how unpleasant it can be.

Barbara - I really will try and write something! I'm glad you dropped the meter - my head was spinning, line count, syllable count, rhyme scheme, meter. I'm such a lightweight.

Petrarch's Love

10-18-2007, 09:48 PM

Now Pen, don't be too self conscious. You haven't hurt people's feelings and you haven't ruined the thread, so rest easy. We just can't all turn out wonderful sonnets as quickly as you can (you're so good at getting these poems turned out!). :) Please don't think the dearth of entries has anything to do with you, and certainly not with your illness. I think people are just busy thinking out what they can pack into fourteen lines. As it happens I have some free time this evening and was planning to work out a little something anyway so, if the muse is with me, your entry won't be alone much longer. :idea:

symphony

10-18-2007, 10:17 PM

You think I don't love you or care for you? Wrong number! I love you all.
And we all love you too, Uncle Pen, which is why we're telling you not to apologise just because we're not as fast as you or as good a poet!

Never take me lightly, I mean what I say!
We also mean what we say! And we're telling you not to feel bad about any of this 'cuz you dont have to. :)

Petrarch: Looking forward to another wonderful sonnet then. ;)

Petrarch's Love

10-19-2007, 12:17 AM

Well, here's my attempt for this round. Experimented with a loose alexandrine throughout and have my reservations about the result, but I guess I'll leave it to the judge. ;)

This ground last year this time was white with the new snows
Like fine sugar, equally scattered. Early. Thin.
Here where we glimpse the last colour of the last rose
Last year this time all life was shriveled in sharp wind.
This year, so blessed with late and lasting sunlight
Is ignorant of youth cut short by early frost,
Unreflecting fades in golden autumn twilight,
Knows nothing of being undone by sudden loss.
The years will come and go, late and soon, as they may
And they must come and go, though they might wish to stay
While this little plot of earth, unconcerned, sees them pass
This ground last year this time held one with hair like snow
Here, where now the fresh earth holds fresh young limbs below.
And this little plot of earth, unconcerned, sees us pass.

barbara0207

10-19-2007, 05:49 PM

Hoorah! We've got two entries now. But I think it's time to extend the deadline. How about October 30?

I implore all muses to inspire their litnet poets!

PS: Petra, your poem gave me the shivers!

barbara0207

10-19-2007, 05:55 PM

my head was spinning, line count, syllable count, rhyme scheme, meter. I'm such a lightweight.

No, you're not. I've read enough posts from you to know.

This thread is supposed to be fun. And if poeple don't find it fun to play with a very, very strict form - well, one has to be less strict.

So please have fun everyone. :D

barbara0207

10-27-2007, 04:08 PM

Bump! goes the thread,
it's almost dead.
I beg you, please,
I'm on my knees,
please write a sonnet,
I'm counting on it!
Two entries only
feel so lonely.
It's not so hard -
please try and start!

Virgil

10-27-2007, 08:36 PM

Bump! goes the thread,
it's almost dead.
I beg you, please,
I'm on my knees,
please write a sonnet,
I'm counting on it!
Two entries only
feel so lonely.
It's not so hard -
please try and start!

OK, let me try. Give me a couple of days.

ampoule

10-27-2007, 09:57 PM

Well....if you're gonna beg....lol:D
I have been reading this form poetry contest all along but I am sooo lazy. But I have learned so much. Here is my very trite and simple entry. I would like to know if it is even close to what you are looking for and to know exactly where I am right and where I am wrong.

Dancing Hearts

Please join me in this dance
We'll prance around the floor
Together we'll enhance
The music of the score
So take me in your arms
Let's make a memory
Our speed might cause alarms
But oh such fun to see
Now dip and spin me 'round
Their breath, they hold, no sound
At last their clapping starts
The night has been a blast
But went by way too fast
And joined our dancing hearts.

autolycus

10-27-2007, 10:34 PM

It was the best of times; it was the worst of times;
The shadow and the fire made the first of rhymes.
The child was in its cradle and the wolf asleep,
And both were counting out the innocence of sheep;
But Mother always hummed to them a lullaby,
In alternating lines of half-matched melody,
And found the soothing best to be the rocking beat:
A tidal lub-dub in each line and then repeat.

Since then the fractured world, in chaos and despair,
Has turned its back on Mum and wandered everywhere.
And thus the lullaby has fallen ill and dead...
There's no more need to rhyme, the wolf is now a dog;
And baby sleeps content in silence as a log
Upon the rhymeless altar of the modern bed.

barbara0207

10-28-2007, 04:54 PM

OK, let me try. Give me a couple of days.

Right. New deadline: November 5

Ampoule: Perfect form. :thumbs_up

Thank you, everybody, for your entries. They're going to give me a hard time choosing. I love them all.

Virgil

10-30-2007, 07:30 AM

Ok Barbara, here's my attempt. I don't know if you understand baseball, but the world series inspired me to write on it.

Baseball

What caused the electric air in the park
To pace the game from inning to inning?
Did the World Series spit that special spark
To send players running, the ball spinning?

The pitcher winds, cocks his arm, snaps the wrist;
The batter spread on the balls of his feet
Sweeps the lumber, the curved arc at the gist
Of contact, the glint where bat and ball meet.

Motion takes over: ball departs, glides, soars;
Batter stumbles, regains by the fan’s roars,
Races to juncture of ball, tag, and slide.

The hoarse voice of the umpire’s shout
Dissolves into the night’s whiff without doubt;
Rooters groan and let their pennants subside.

Rockin462

10-30-2007, 11:03 AM

I would like to join in.

Where would we be without it?

It's subtle curvature outlines it's beauty
Fully bloomed it exudes a shiny pink hue
Growing to fruition with life, it's duty
It'll brighten the day and enlighten your mood

It's scalloped branches stretch out for the sky
Trapping the rain that decends night or day
Peeling it's bark as it grabs for the light
Red, brown and beige, it's bold colors array

It's rippened ovaries, a deceitful delight
It's sweet tasting bounty appeased Eve's appetite
For centuries this grand malus has been cherished

Written about since freewill began
This immortal being of Eden
Can't be blamed as Adam's soul perished

barbara0207

10-30-2007, 06:27 PM

Ok Barbara, here's my attempt. I don't know if you understand baseball, but the world series inspired me to write on it.

I know some basics, but there are a few things I'll have to look up. In case of doubt, I'll ask you. :D

Anyway, I'm glad you made it, Virgil.

Rockin: Thank you very much for your entry and welcome to the forum!

Rockin462

10-31-2007, 07:49 AM

Thanks

firefangled

11-02-2007, 05:56 PM

I'm not very good with forms, but in the interest of having fun, which I very much enjoy, here is my humble entry.

The Everlasting

Where will I be that hour,
using my hands or words,
fingers in the flowers,
or lines that go unheard?

There was a garden once,
with Columbine and Rue.
Queen Anne’s Lace bowed in dance,
above the Feverfew.

Most likely there I’ll go,
where the Everlasting grow,
and what thoughts that I may save,

in free or metered verse,
my best, thank God my worst,
go with me to the grave.

barbara0207

11-04-2007, 05:29 PM

Thanks, Firefangled!

One more day to go, everyone! The competition will be closed on November 5, 23.59 (11.59 pm) CET

Meanwhile I'm brooding which one to choose. As hard as cracking a coconut open with your bare hands ...

symphony

11-04-2007, 05:59 PM

guess i cant make it this time :(

.... :( ..... :( ...
oh well, sonnets were never my cup of tea anyway! *shrug* ....

well done and good luck everyone :) good to see u're giving barb such a tough time! :D

barbara0207

11-05-2007, 07:10 PM

This contest is closed.

I envy Paris somehow. He only had to choose from three beauties. I've got seven beauties. But no, no envy. I'm quite sure my choice won't have an outcome as disastrous as Paris's. :D

Wednesday's the day. (around 23.00 hours/11 pm CET)

barbara0207

11-07-2007, 06:21 PM

Well, my seven beauties, line up for inspection. Are you ready?

Pen: You wrote what we will hence refer to as Pendragonian sonnet, a new form with no meter but a regular rhyme scheme which is, however, obeyed loosely. You show that one can create beautiful poetry with that form. I loved your central image of "Mother Night", the "regal lady", who protects and comforts you. Very soothing and heart-warming.

Petrarch's Love: You say you worked with a "loose alexandrine". That's how you gave the term Petrarchan sonnet a new meaning. I loved how you played with the colour white and with the imagery from nature. The repetition of the last line in the tercets was very impressing as it appears ambiguous. I, for one, was quite unprepared for the ending when I read your poem for the first time. As I said, it gave me the shivers.

Ampoule: You use a very regular meter and rhyme so you can actually hear the music when you read it aloud. It's like song lyrics, who knows, perhaps someone will create a tune for it. I had a small problem with the use of the pronoun "they" at the end. Could it be you meant onlookers here holding their breath and then clapping? You might have made that a bit clearer (but perhaps it's just me.) Anyway, I enjoyed listening to the music and watching you dance.

Autolycus: Your "Short History of Poetry" was serious, witty and funny - all in one. I loved the image of the mother soothing her baby by the fire with her "tidal lub dub". And the way you connect that to modern times was brilliant. Moreover you're the only one to meet the original requirements completely. Beautiful! Pity I can't count that any more. But it wouldn't have done if we'd only had one entry, would it?

Virgil: What an excellent idea to describe a baseball game in a poem - and a sonnet at that! I've never read something alike in poetry before. It was like one moment of the game in slow motion. Very vivid description of the pitcher throwing, the batter hitting, the umpire, the reaction of the fans. Great. Seems I'll have to watch some baseball soon (only you hardly get it on TV over here).

Rockin I loved your theme, the connection of the apple tree and free will. It starts quite "harmless" with a "simple" apple tree until you bring in the Garden of Eden, temptation and free will. (I take it that you meant "its" instead of "it's" and ripened (not "ripped")? At least that's how I read it, it made the most sense to me.) Your poem is well-structured. In form it's a Pendragonian sonnet. I hope you're not cross with me that I named it after Pen - he was the first to enter this form. :)

Firefangled: Where will the poet go - and where his or her works? I'm sure in the garden "where the Everlasting grow" there is a place reserved for you. And don't you take your "best" to the grave or anywhere else, but leave them here for every litnetter to enjoy! And don't leave us too early, either. There's still a lot of time and I'm sure there is a lot more you want to tell us "in metered or free verse"!

Oh my beauties, I had a very good time appreciating your quite different types of beauty. And - running out of objective criteria - I will choose the one that appeals to me most. Love at first sight, and on second reading, and third and fourth ...

The winner is Autolycus's sonnet - for its wit and its theme (I've always wanted to say that myself :D ) but NOT for its meter - believe it or not. Yes, I know that autolycus won the one before this one. But I couldn't shun that sonnet just on these grounds, there are several others who have won other contests. It wouldn't have been fair.

So come and murder me now. I couldn't help myself. :) But let me thank everyone again for their contributions. I think we had a high quality contest here. Well done, everyone. :thumbs_up

Virgil

11-07-2007, 07:27 PM

Thank you Barbara on your kind words. And congratulations Autolycus, very imaginative poem. I really liked it, especially the sestet:

Since then the fractured world, in chaos and despair,
Has turned its back on Mum and wandered everywhere.
And thus the lullaby has fallen ill and dead...
There's no more need to rhyme, the wolf is now a dog;
And baby sleeps content in silence as a log
Upon the rhymeless altar of the modern bed.

"The wolf is now a dog" is quite a line. :)

symphony

11-07-2007, 08:36 PM

Congrats auto. :) Thats a great poem.

Petrarch's Love

11-07-2007, 10:08 PM

Congratulations, Auto! A well deserved win.

And thanks for the feedback, Barbara.

ampoule

11-07-2007, 11:30 PM

:thumbs_up Congratulations autolycus. Thanks for your work and the pointers barbara. :) It was fun.

firefangled

11-08-2007, 07:47 AM

Congratulations, Autolycus. Great poem! Very well done.

Pendragon

11-08-2007, 11:45 AM

Congrads, Auto! http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l108/AbsalomKane/Four/MightWork.gif

Barbie, you still have to get a barb in about my sonnets, do you not? I used to enjoy writing them, y'know? Perhaps people have noted that I haven't been writing birthday sonnets for sometime now. The joy of the form is gone for me. Since I have been on the forum, I have written more sonnets than anyone else, for birthdays, the obit page, sonnets from The Dasterdley Ghost, etc. Carefree, Pendragian sonnets.

there is no joy in mudville...http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l108/AbsalomKane/Smilies/GiveUp.gif

Don't let it sink your boat, Auto. You deserved your win, and you make certain the contests continue! You're a darn fine poet, and by golly, make them work for the next prize! http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l108/AbsalomKane/Four/DaMan.gif

autolycus

11-08-2007, 12:40 PM

Argh! *grin* I'm pleased and amazed and distraught because I never thought I'd win and I have a PhD deadline to make and... oh enough of the excuses. Thank you all for being great company. I am truly honoured and I will try my best.

autolycus

11-08-2007, 01:01 PM

Oh wait hey here's an idea already...

The next form is called a haikonnet. A haikonnet is a sonnet of sorts.

1. It is divided into 17 lines, in three sections.

1.1 The first section has 5 lines. It sets the stage.
1.2 The second section has 7 lines. It develops a theme.
1.3 The third section has 5 lines. It concludes, either by showing something about the first 12 lines which was not obvious before, or by posing a question.

2. All of the lines must have at least 8 syllables (but may have any number up to 12). There is no real metre, iambic, dactylic or whatever else.

3. Every line must rhyme with at least one other line.

4. I will assess poems on form, symmetry, complexity and content.

4.1 Form refers to meeting all the requirements in 1-3 above.
4.2 Symmetry refers to a deliberate attempt to make the poem symmetrical in some way (metre is probably the simplest).
4.3 Complexity refers to the degree of difficulty (like gymnastics or diving hahaha!) used in rhymes, metre etc.
4.4 Content refers to the 'plot' that emerges in the form provided.

=====

Yes, it's a challenge. I'm not sure I could meet it myself!

*howls madly and runs off chasing the invisible moon*

Rockin462

11-08-2007, 01:23 PM

Thank you for your views.
Yes Its and not it's, oops. Also ripened.
Not sure aside from grammar where I missed on the form?
Rhymn and meter is there.
Though I couldn't put the dash above the 2nd E in Eden to make it sound Edan...

Virgil

11-08-2007, 01:39 PM

barbara0207

11-08-2007, 06:06 PM

Barbie, you still have to get a barb in about my sonnets, do you not? I used to enjoy writing them, y'know? Perhaps people have noted that I haven't been writing birthday sonnets for sometime now. The joy of the form is gone for me. Since I have been on the forum, I have written more sonnets than anyone else, for birthdays, the obit page, sonnets from The Dasterdley Ghost, etc. Carefree, Pendragian sonnets.

No, I don't. There was no irony whatsoever in the post.

To explain the term Pendragonian sonnet:
As far as I know the first writer of sonnets was Petrarch. That is why the first Italian sonnets are named after him, Petrarchan sonnets. As the sonnet spread over Europe, poets changed the form (rhyme, meter and division into stanzas, but not number of lines) according to their language, their needs and their taste. In England there were Milton, Shakespeare and others, all adapting the Italian sonnet to their own requirements, in Germany there were baroque poets who created another form of sonnet, which was different from both the Italian and the English form. In later centuries the sonnet was out of fashion, but still a few poets used it, adapted to their own taste and needs. You, Pen, have changed the form according to your own taste and needs. That is why I called it the Pendragonian sonnet - because you originally introduced it here to Litnet.

I named the form in your honour.

Not to mock, tease or vex you.

I write both form poems and free verse. I am not obsessed with form. And I say it again: Auto did not win because of form, but because his poem was serious, witty and funny at the same time. That is why it appealed to me the most.

Pendragon

11-08-2007, 06:18 PM

Well, I never complained about loosing to Auto, now did I? His poem was great and he took my advice and challenged us with this time!

Well, never say die, I always say. Here you go Auto. Something like this, maybe?

What If

If foolish pride sets aside the string,
Allows the injured ego time to heal—
Perhaps the rhyme again may ring,
The fingers find the guitar strings—
Words flow and show you how I feel.

Darkness cannot grasp a poet’s soul forever…
The song that keeps that heart alive must be heard.
To silence voices demons hope—but never—
Can their trickery divide the soul and the word…
For centuries the battle has been raging,
Books have been burned, destroyed, flaming—
But today you still hear poetic voice proclaiming—

What will be our legacy we leave behind,
For the coming generations to discover?
Will they think that we allowed ourselves to become blind.
Left our harps upon the willows far , far behind—
Or devour each volume cover to cover?

Pendragon
© 11/8/07

Petrarch's Love

11-08-2007, 11:41 PM

The next form is called a haikonnet. A haikonnet is a sonnet of sorts...

Egads! What a form. How does Pen get these things done so quickly?! I'll see if I can get all that straight but it's only a couple weeks until my doctoral exams so my attempt this round may require some compassion. :nod: Apparently, however, you're a fellow PhD student, which I hadn't realized, so perhaps you can empathize with the mind numbing pressure that precedes walking into an exam you've spent a year of your life intensely prepping for.:bawling: :D What stage are you at and what's your field of study? Perhaps Classics, going by the user name?

Petrarch's Love

11-08-2007, 11:52 PM

Pen--I love this one. That last stanza really has something, especially those final lines:

What will be our legacy we leave behind,
For the coming generations to discover?
Will they think that we allowed ourselves to become blind.
Left our harps upon the willows far , far behind—
Or devour each volume cover to cover?

ampoule

11-09-2007, 12:22 AM

Ampoule: You use a very regular meter and rhyme so you can actually hear the music when you read it aloud. It's like song lyrics, who knows, perhaps someone will create a tune for it. I had a small problem with the use of the pronoun "they" at the end. Could it be you meant onlookers here holding their breath and then clapping? You might have made that a bit clearer (but perhaps it's just me.) Anyway, I enjoyed listening to the music and watching you dance.

You are going to laugh (I hope) but while writing it I could not get the tune of The Mexican Hat Dance out of my mind. :D

autolycus

11-09-2007, 12:23 AM

Wow, I'm even more impressed by Pen than I normally am... *grin*

Yes, Virgil, the form is my own invention as far as I know.

Petrarch's Love: I'm an organometallic chemist doing a dissertation on high school education practices somewhere in Asia. Heh. Silly me.

Barb: Yeah... The reason I wrote in in the original form was that I had already sort of planned it out that way! But I'm glad the poem itself turned out as well as it did.

Pendragon

11-09-2007, 11:47 AM

Oh, Auto and Petra! :blush: :blush: :blush: I'm just a simple poet with far too much time on his hands. You guys are the wonders, able to write while dealing with doctorate dissertations and constant study! Egads! I wonder how you manage! http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l108/AbsalomKane/Four/Float.gif

Petrarch's Love

11-09-2007, 12:48 PM

I'm an organometallic chemist doing a dissertation on high school education practices somewhere in Asia. Heh. Silly me.

Wow, I can honestly say that's the last thing I would have guessed, but very cool to find out we have a forum member with such a fascinating array of interests. Do organometallic chemistry and Asian High School practices relate in some way (perhaps you're really a mad scientist using this education research as a cover for your nefarious experiments?) or did you just wake up one day in your run of the mill life as an organometallic chemist and think "and now for something completely different?" Seriously though, sounds interesting and good luck with plugging away at that dissertation. :nod:

autolycus

11-09-2007, 02:47 PM

Heh, more gradual. Chemist to chemistry teacher to education researcher. Thank you! *grin* *takes a bow*

Petrarch's Love

11-09-2007, 07:48 PM

Ah, so there is a smooth and logical connection between these pursuits. Well, enough chit chat, I've got to go figure out how a haikonnet works. :idea:

autolycus

11-17-2007, 12:13 AM

My next chapter deadline is 30 Nov. My next Poetry contest deadline is therefore also 30 Nov. *grin* After that, I shall be free to look at all your masterpieces, and as usual, give insightful and entertaining commentary (ha ha, I hope!) for everyone. Thank you!

TheFifthElement

11-18-2007, 04:25 AM

Fun form auto!

Dead Shoes

Something has been chewing at my shoe.
A hole has been ripped right through the toe,
and the heel has been pulled half-off.
Its partner is missing entirely;
a puzzled space where it used to be.

Oh, they were my most favourite pair
like old friends who shared my adventures;
they were worn, battered, the seams were split
and now that’s only the half of it!
I thought that we were the perfect fit,
that our love was the kind that endures
but now you’ve vanished into thin air!

But what is that growling close to me,
that touch of hot breath upon my knee,
and teeth my Mum would be proud of?
Oh shoes, is this the end of the show?
Looks like I soon will be joining you…

autolycus

11-18-2007, 05:52 AM

I have inadvertently unleashed a beast. So far, two very unlike and very strong entries...

Pendragon

11-18-2007, 11:35 AM

Nice, Fifth. Took me a minute to figure out your rhyme scheme for that one pair of lines. Very ingenious!

Pen

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l108/AbsalomKane/Smilies/Yes.gif

TheFifthElement

11-18-2007, 12:38 PM

Thanks Pen :) I had my eye on that word 'symmetry'!

Pendragon

11-26-2007, 11:06 AM

Still only two poems? My goodness, you cannot feast on oysters if you are fearful of wetting your feet, mes amis!

Virgil

11-26-2007, 11:52 AM

Sorry, I've been way tied up with work and home things. Perhaps i can make the deadline. Perhaps not.

autolycus

11-28-2007, 02:30 PM

I'm sorry. Add another week. Make it errm... Sunday 9 Dec 07. Sigh. If I can't make my own deadlines, it would be unfair to ask others to meet them. *grin*

autolycus

12-09-2007, 04:16 AM

Errm, what? Only two??

Well, since I'm stuck here writing testimonials for a graduating class of students, you can have another week. But seriously, folks, it isn't that hard! Is it?

Petrarch's Love

12-09-2007, 04:21 PM

No, it shouldn't be that hard, Auto. I think it's a busy time of year for everyone. Here's another entry for you at least:

In the white silence lie five black lines
Patterning the frozen void into shapes.
A color photograph would work like black and white
For capturing the long shadows of 4 p.m.
As their darkness clings to the softly rounded snow.

Against a softly rounded cheek five fingers press;
Five warm black lines on pale Irish skin caress.
Her cold lips drawn to his warmth; their breath made the same.
Her hair falls around them in a long veil of flame.
The only sound the soft entanglement of names
Two names, now and then fervently murmured between
Two lovers softly entangled in a winter scene.

And, having seen this meeting in the shadowed snow
Below the window by my piano at 4 p.m.
While playing winter sounds on keys of black and white,
How to compose these seen shades into music's shapes?
In the white silence lie five black lines.

------------
N.B. Since the last line may be somewhat obscure for those who don't know about music, I thought I should mention that a composer writes the notes for music on a staff of five lines. The staff for a composer would be the equivalent of a blank page for a poet.

autolycus

12-10-2007, 06:07 AM

See, that's beautiful too! *grin*

Pendragon

12-15-2007, 12:05 PM

How about just letting us know who won?

autolycus

12-16-2007, 05:21 AM

A simple foolery.
The judging is difficult.
The pain is intense.
The tense is in pain.
The ditching is judicious.
Ah, fearful symmetry.

=====

I shall quote myself. Sometimes, it helps.

"I will assess poems on form, symmetry, complexity and content."

Did I say that? I must have been mad. I am hardly qualified. But I have to do it. Sigh.

=====

All entries have met the form requirements, more or less (well, strictly speaking all have breached it very slightly). The Fifth Element has captured the quintessence of the form without any easily discernible deviation, though.

And the same goes for symmetry; Fifth's symmetry is pleasing and virtually complete, as far as metre goes. Petrarch's Love has created a symmetry as pleasing in a slightly different way, both in theme and shape.

Love's complexity of rhyme, cadence and tone also comes together in a very pleasing sensuality, made more so by its understated nature.

The theme attempted in Pendragon's poem is the largest though; its canvas is poetry itself, word both heard and written. In a sense there is more content here, although the poets of the physical and metaphysical realms would disagree in a thousand ways.

=====

I am going to chicken out here. To me, Pen's is most grandiloquent (and both grand and eloquent), Fifth's is funniest and most entertaining (with a frisson of sneakiness – or is that sneakerness?), and Petrarch's Love the most aesthetically pleasing.

(Un)fortunately (depending on who you are), my criteria are aimed in that kind of direction; the poem PL has written is indeed very much both haiku and sonnet, embracing the oldest themes with minimalist strokes (argh, terrible mixed metaphor), and must deserve the win. Congratulations!

And now to take a loooooooong break. *clunk*

TheFifthElement

12-16-2007, 04:10 PM

Thanks autolycus, and congratulations Petrarch! Look forward to the next form :)

Pendragon

12-17-2007, 12:08 PM

I must agree with you Auto, you chickened out. Thanks for the comments. You wouldn't have had a single poem, except that I broke the code of what you wanted. You admit to my poem being the most grandiose. Now I was the first to reply. Petra, who I like very much, slipped in after the deadline. Nobody plays by the rules anymore though. So congratulations, Petra. You are a sweet poet and I bow to You.

I also quit any of the poetry contests from now on.

Pendragon

Petrarch's Love

12-19-2007, 02:35 PM

O.K., first, thank you Auto for choosing my poem from the trio. The entries were few this contest, but of top quality.

I wanted to quickly address this confusion about deadlines. I want to be clear that I would not have entered if I thought that the deadline was passed. I saw a post in which Auto said the 9th should be the deadline and then a post asking for more entries. Under the assumption that meant the end of the day on the 9th, I entered my poem on that date, and I guess both Auto and I thought that meant it was in under deadline. I think we were all busy in our real lives and maybe just got confused, and certainly hope that this mix up doesn't create any permanent ill will among any members. This should really just be a fun thread where we get to share our poetry with each other.

Since there has been a mix up, since there were so few entries in the last round, and since Christmas is only a few days away and I think everyone (myself most definitely included) is really distracted and busy, I'm going to hold off on choosing a new form for this contest until the new year. Fresh year; fresh start. So, happy holidays to everyone, and we'll have a new round in January.

barbara0207

12-19-2007, 08:03 PM

Errm, what? Only two??

Well, since I'm stuck here writing testimonials for a graduating class of students, you can have another week. But seriously, folks, it isn't that hard! Is it?

This was posted on the 9th. I think that settles the question whether your poem was posted too late, Petra. Almost everyone (here and on the picture poem contest thread) extended their deadlines if they felt there weren't enough entries. If people think extending deadlines is unfair, then the rules must be changed. Personally, I found nothing wrong with extensions. And it doesn't say anything about them in the OP.

What do you say? Should we stick to a deadline once given? Or should we allow extensions?

autolycus

12-20-2007, 05:26 AM

Personally, I was inclined to proceed only with at least three entries. Fewer, and I'd scrap the round. But that would mean two people who had put in effort and not got anything from it. As barbara0207 says, there is precedent for extensions at the prerogative of the person presiding over the round.

On the other hand, I'm sorry Pen is p***ed off. Not my intention. I certainly didn't engineer it for PL, that formidable competitor who needs no such favours. I know we should all be careful especially in online dealings, and next time I'll try for a deadline which doesn't change.

Pendragon

12-20-2007, 03:26 PM

Let us precede as if nothing had happened. I had my say, both here and to individuals.The Past is the past, we walk not there again. Now is the time for healing and going onward. Are we not poets? Then by gosh, let us prove that no moment of vexation cannot be turned into a ray of brilliant sunshine. Petra, give us a form, and let the quills of Avalon stir and quiver eagerly to produce a piece of poetry suitable for framing!:p ;)

barbara0207

12-20-2007, 06:38 PM

That's the spirit, Pen! And I'm very glad you put your poem back in the picture poem contest. I loved it. :thumbs_up

Petrarch's Love

12-21-2007, 10:46 PM

I'm glad that everything seems to have been smoothed out. :) I'm still waiting until after Christmas to start up a new round with a new form. I figure everyone's attention including mine will be wrapped up in holiday stuff until then.

Petrarch's Love

12-30-2007, 12:22 AM

O.K., I've finally gotten around to cooking up a form for the next round of this contest (there was a death in my family on Christmas Day, so I've been more than a bit distracted up 'till now). I got a suggestion from Il Penseroso that we might try some sort of prose poetry form, which proved the inspiration for a form I'll call a Dramalet.

Inspired by the plays of Shakespeare, which alternate between various kinds of verse and poetic prose, the Dramalet is a three part structure which consists of 4-24 lines of either rhymed or blank verse followed by a segment of poetic prose (it is up to you to determine what you think fits in the category of poetic prose), and concludes with another 4-24 lines of rhymed or blank verse. I haven't placed a length limit on the middle prose section, but would like to discourage anything much longer than a reasonable sized paragraph, since your judge's attention may wander past that point unless the writer is Shakespeare himself.:p

The subject of the poem is entirely up to you. It might be fun to use this drama inspired form for a poetic monologue or dialogue, but anything else you think would be suitable to the form is fine by me. Below I have penned the first ever (as far as I know) Dramalet, which I have every reason to believe will soon be surpassed by the excellent poets of Lit. Net. Have fun all!

We came from the northern lands and the cold
We came across the sea to a strange, strange shore
We left behind the sounds and the sights and hearths
Of our fathers' and our mothers' land
Where lies the dust and the bones of those before
Whose once quick blood flowed into our live veins.

I came from across the street to the familiar aisles of the supermarket. The sound of sirens quickens the pulse as I set forth on the way to work and errands with a light but tedious burden of daily cares. A list of words, each one a food, curls into the depths of my coat pocket next to a gleaming gilt gum wrapper and a handful of dull pennies. The weather report predicts another sun filled day for the California southland area. The prices of homes are going down. I flip a switch..."and a man comes on the radio/ And he's telling me more and more/ About some useless information/ Supposed to fire my imagination"...as the checkout clerk scans the price of the bounty passing before him he says, in passing flirtation, something about California blondes. I say my blonde roots are from my Swedish roots. I carry my plastic sacks to the parking lot.

We carry our songs and our old stories:
The ones we tell as those before us told,
As those after us will tell those after them.
We sing about journey, about longing,
About homes left in search of new bounty
And homes found in search of old meaning.
We carry our belongings, though they are worn and few
We carry the blood of our veins to a world that is new.

Pendragon

01-01-2008, 02:44 PM

Heck I don't know. Call me crazy. I like to think of it a "the triumph of hope over a long history of bad experiences. I go where I have gone before, to do yet another noble thing: I go first in a poetry contest!

A Warrior’s Tale

They came upon us much sooner than I had dreamed feasible,
Meaning that their Leader is one well trained in warcraft.
I had, in my pride, thought at least another day quite reasonable.
Well. No use in second-guessing, And no giving way to wrath.
I called my Captains to me in order to set the battle plans.
“We must not be driven from our water supply, double guards there.
“If they have so easily read our sign, we must use no signals easily read”.
One of my men gave signs. “Long shot, my friend. Beggar sign seems fair,”

I took the time while my men were positioning themselves, to climb to a high rock and observe the other Commander. He was a fine strong man, whom I judged to be at least a head taller than myself, and I am no small man, standing over four cubits. He had skin burned by the sun and a black mane of hair. He was well muscled and agile as a great ape, and bore a great battle-axe. The fire of the battle was already in his eyes, but his men were not as ready as he. Could I turn this to my advantage?

I heard a roar from the great warrior’s throat that shook the very trees.
I live for battle but those first moments are hard to work into any poem.
The men come crashing together with enough force to send them to their knees.
Then the blades flash for a moment and there are screams and blood begins to foam.
He and I fought our way though the blood and confusion to face to face.
And my great sword sparked beneath the fury of his battle-axe.
He drew first blood, across my chest; I escaped by the barest trace,
And shouting forth my loud defiance, I redoubled my fierce attack,

And how doth this story end? A drink, please. There is my notched and scared blade.
And were I to remove this shirt of mail, you could see the scar the barbarian made…

Pendragon
© 1/1/08

Petrarch's Love

01-02-2008, 05:09 AM

A courageous start to the next round and the new year. Thanks Pen. :) And now I expect all the rest of you poets to get tapping!

Pendragon

01-11-2008, 11:50 PM

It's bloody hard being first, I don't know about being green... http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/513ZGF8WKXL._AA240_.jpg

schadenfreude

01-15-2008, 12:25 AM

This is how we begin, with light in our eyes,
A hand, a tree, a house and the sky,
This is the sun, and those are the stars
Scoring the sky in blue and gold bars.
This is the earth, where the mountains stand,
Tall as soldiers in a Crayola green land,
And this is you: your face, your hands, your feet,
And if you listen closely, you can hear your heartbeat.

These are the years of feigned nonchalance. In December, I was swept up by a whirlwind of scattered paper, and the wind and rain blurred the black lines into an unreadable mess. I didn’t mind the least. In a bizarre frenzy, I collected aphorisms by the dozen: happiness is the key to success, live every day as if it were your last… and filed them away in alphabetical order. They rotted in the bottom of my drawer, grey-green with mildew, and when I touched one, it crumbled into dust. He called and said he forgot, that he could not make it, and again, I told him it did not matter. I wished I were an oak tree- anything that was warm and solid and still; I wished I did not have paper-white skin, and I wished that my heart was not made of ice. But I didn’t really care about all that. I just dreamed of simplicity again.

This is how you begin: a hand, the stars and the sky,
But in the end, it all just passes by.
So you wait, yearning for the cloudless truth
that you left behind in the vivid colours of your youth.

Petrarch's Love

01-15-2008, 07:53 PM

Hoorah for Schadenfreude! Hopefully this will start a trend for submitting entries. Since we know have two, and thus the absolute minimum to enable competition, I'm setting a deadline for midnight, Pacific Standard time on January 31st. Hopefully we'll get some other submissions by then, but otherwise I've already got enough of a job cut out for me chosing between the two fine entries we already have. :)

Pendragon

02-02-2008, 11:37 AM

Pathetic to have a contest and only two have the courage to enter... http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l108/AbsalomKane/read.gif

Pendragon

02-06-2008, 10:30 AM

Bump!

Petrarch's Love

02-06-2008, 09:37 PM

Apologies to my brave participants, Pen and schadenfreude, for not getting to the judging sooner. Life has been more than usually hectic the last week or so. At any rate, I now am in fuller health and able to turn my attentions to judging the two wonderful entries we've received for this round:

Pen--I liked the choice of a battle account as subject for this form. It lent itself well to both the formality of the rhyme and the more matter-of-fact style of prose. I also think you did a really good job of using the prose section to express a moment of pause in the action when he's sizing up the opponent. It's like the effect of a well done slow-mo shot in a film when you get a break to take in the set up: who is who and what is what. I also like the end lines, bringing the story back to the present as though the warrior himself were in front of us. The only thing I would change is that I don't like the antiquated "doth" in the penultimate line. The rest of your diction has an old fashion feel without being actually out of date, but that word jumps out.

Schadenfreude--I really enjoyed the imagery of this poem: the crayon-like colours and the childish drawing worked well. The line "this is how we begin" is wonderful and works well with the description that follows. Your language is simple but evocative. Parts of this poem really conjured the opening credits of the film, To Kill a Mockingbird, for me, and I imagine that you are going for a similar sense of innocence connected with childhood drawing in juxtoposition to a loss of innocence alluded to in the poem. My only problem reading this poem is that I get a feeling of what you're trying to convey but not a good idea of what sort of story exactly is being told. Is the drawing metaphorical or a significant real memory? Is this person dealing with a break-up or just growing up? While ambiguity can be a good thing in poetry, I feel that perhaps you are being too ambiguous with your reader, leaving him or her with little to hang a hat on. We know that this person is contrasting an innocent childhood period with "years of feigned nonchalance," but we don't really have a sense of why things have changed or why this is significant. It might only take a few deftly placed concrete details to pull this together, but I think you need that. You have some great lines here, just wish there was a little more logical structure to fit them into.

So, we have a compelling story and a nicely crafted mood piece, and I nearly had to flip a coin to decide the winner, but I've decided to go with PENDRAGON!

Congrats Pen. With such a fearsome poem on your side I'm sure you'll have no trouble rounding up more participants for the next round than I did for this one. :D

Pendragon

02-07-2008, 01:54 PM

Thank you Petra, and good poem, Schadenfreude! You were at least not frightened off by the challange of the form, which was a dandy!

I always thought that if it came back to me, I would impose a villanelle upon you, the form for which you always compliment me. It is a 19 line French form, broken into 5 tercets and a quadtrain. The first and third line are very important for they must repeat throughout the poem.

Rhyme is lines 1 and 3 of each tercet. The center lines all rhyme with each other. In the quadtrain, lines 1,3,4 will rhyme, while line 2 will rhyme with the center lines. I give you this sample poem to go by:

Dirge III

In all that I have ever been a shadow always blots the sunshine—
could grow a garden if my tears did not contain the taint of salt.
Somewhere out there, there has to be a life, a purpose I can call mine…

The years roll on by. Like the prisoner in his cell I just mark off the time—
Someone will always be there to remind me anyway that it’s all my fault.
In all that I have ever been a shadow always blots the sunshine—

The cold seeps in to my body, and I remember all the days of auld lang sine—
Don’t feel so sorry for yourself, get out and do something, I know I ought—
Somewhere out there, there has to be a life, a purpose I can call mine…

Well, I would probably have turned to drinking but I know cold comfort in the wine—
It’s just killing yourself slowly, drowning in the depths of a battle never fought.
In all that I have ever been a shadow always blots the sunshine—

People ask me how I am and so I lie again and tell them that I’m doing fine—
Then I’m praying, “God forgive, I know that I’m not living as I ought!”
Somewhere out there, there has to be a life, a purpose I can call mine…

They tell me to take a brighter look at things, but all I see is just a waste of time,
I’m no God, I’m no magician, and I can’t make it all better with a thought—
In all that I have ever been a shadow always blots the sunshine—
But somewhere out there, there has to be a life, a purpose I can call mine…

Pendragon

When I get a few entries, we'll set a due date! Good Luck! :)

Pendragon

02-10-2008, 12:03 PM

Perhaps I should change that to "if I get any entries." That's the problem with me winning, I almost always start the flood with the first poem. Who will start my constest? :( :( :(

schadenfreude

02-10-2008, 10:32 PM

Congratulations, Pendragon!
And thank you for your comments Petrach, and I'm glad that you are in better health now.
I will make an attempt at your villanelle as soon as I can think of something to write!

symphony

02-11-2008, 03:27 PM

Perhaps I should change that to "if I get any entries." That's the problem with me winning, I almost always start the flood with the first poem. Who will start my constest? :( :( :(

Me. :p

Glad ur having villanelles for this round. Gives me a chance to write one. Always thought they're interesting. So here's my shot at it. Not as good as your ones, O Master of Villanelles, but this will have to do. :p

The Naive Noesis

If only we had time enough to serve the trivialities!
There’s more to life than in researches found:
The simple geometry of clouds, the sciences in the seas--

All demand a ceaseless hymn, humble poetries
Or, leastways, an amazed gaze -- silent and sound…
If only we had time enough to serve the trivialities!

The postures of war, the secrets of peace
Give no life, leave no vibe, to hound
The simple geometry of clouds, the sciences in the seas.

The world begets, the world forgets. We forget our histories,
And nod it is only gravity for which the earth is round.
If only we had time enough to serve the trivialities,

If only we could see the earth beyond its chemistries,
We’d see things that are, and furthermore astound:
The simple geometry of clouds, the sciences in the seas.

If only we had eyes enough to see the world with ease,
While crowds of data-dissertations mound…
If only we had time enough to serve the trivialities--
The simple geometry of clouds, the sciences in the seas!

ntropyincarnate

02-11-2008, 06:18 PM

um...I'll try, if I can think of anything. It'll be lame...

Pendragon

02-12-2008, 11:51 AM

Wonderful begining , Sy. Can you come up with a title? Beautiful use of the form! She showed you the way people, now follow suit! http://content.sweetim.com/sim/cpie/emoticons/00020078.gif

symphony

02-12-2008, 01:02 PM

Can you come up with a title?

Added one. :)
Hope this serves as a starter if nothing else. :p C'mon fellas!

astrophysical

02-12-2008, 03:54 PM

Hi, i was just wondering if i could join in with this contest?

symphony

02-12-2008, 11:35 PM

Hi, i was just wondering if i could join in with this contest?

Of course u can. :) Check out post #328 by Pendragon, and u'll get the form for this round. Then cook up a villanelle and hop in! ;)
Welcome to LitNet, astro (cool username. i'm obsessed with astrophysics, by the way!). :D

Pendragon

02-15-2008, 04:41 PM

Bumpity-bump-bump-bump--
bump-bump dah-dump-a bump, yeah!
dah-dah-dah-dah-BUMP!

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l108/AbsalomKane/Smilies/Grin.gif

astrophysical

02-17-2008, 06:13 AM

this is my first try at a villanelle, so it's quite lame. I hope it's not too late. Here goes:

Villanelle to a Dutch Summer:

As the wind skips by in a mellifluous daze,
Summers sun burns, an ember in the sky, the whole
while, clover fields melt into an amythest haze.

Ripe fruits plummet to the ground in this seasonal phase,
Where days are slow and belladonna-nights are black as coal,
As the wind skips by in a mellifluous daze.

Flowers open their lid-like petals to turn and gaze,
Upon the heat which rises like a lonely soul,
While clover fields melt into an amythest haze.

Bumble bees buzz around pink buds in a frenzied craze,
Thin tapering strands waver, each like a new-born foal
As the wind skips by in a mellifluous daze.

Fragrant lemongrass grows sweet where those young foals graze,
The sodium sun bakes the ground hard under the foots sole
While clover fields melt into an amythest haze.

Leaves patter into the lake where the donkey brays,
That delicate admirals fleet lost to the mules water-hole
As the wind skips by in a mellifluous daze,
and clover fields melt into an amythest haze.

Pendragon

02-17-2008, 12:33 PM

Not too late Astro, as I have set a date for closing, since I only have two entries. I would like at least one more, before calling it a contest. Come on guys. I have two very good starters. So get out there and write! http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l108/AbsalomKane/Smilies/Wine.gif

TheFifthElement

02-17-2008, 03:05 PM

Missing

Please help me, have you seen my son?
He was right here only a second ago.
I turned for just a moment and he was gone.

We were on our way to the park for some fun
I had him by the hand, and he let go.
Please help me, have you seen my son?

It’s all my fault, oh what have I done?
My boy, he’s only 4 years old you know,
I turned for just a moment and he was gone.

He was wearing trousers with pockets on
the knee, and a t-shirt egg yolk yellow.
Please help me, have you seen my son?

He’d asked me if it was okay to run
I said not to wander, I told him so.
I turned for just a moment and he was gone

Has anyone seen him, please help me, anyone?
No wait…excuse me…are you listening, hello?
Please help me, have you seen my son?
I turned for just a moment and he was gone.

Pendragon

02-18-2008, 06:05 PM

Three. Alright! We're in business! How about a March 17th close? I'll post the winner on the 18th. That gives a lot of time, but villanelle's aren't easy to write and I want to give everyone a chance. Go poets! http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l108/AbsalomKane/Smilies/Yes.gif

ampoule

02-18-2008, 08:50 PM

Thank you Pen. I really want to try this. Those so far are sooo good. This will be a real challenge that I may not make. March 17th is great.

AuntShecky

02-22-2008, 01:54 PM

Okay, Pen, you asked me to enter this, so here goes. (I'm relieved I already had one on file.)

A Villanelle

Is the Universe to blame when it's we who fail
To fathom the sea between soon and never?
Our lives are tiny ships, tossed and shifting in a gale.

We chalk up routes to chance, seldom clear, always pale,
And balk at checking the compass of our befogged endeavor.
Is the Universe to blame when it's we who fail?

Neither earnest nor sly intent puffs up a luckless sail.
When God cleaves to the meek, then God help the merely clever.
Our lives are tiny ships, tossed and shifting in a gale.

Fair skies draw our praise, yet against ill winds we rail,
Cursing the moorings which tide and time must sever.
Is the Universe to blame when it's we who fail?

A small scope seeks room to weaken the cosmic scale.
God or man or ignorant Fate: who pulls the lever?
Our lives are tiny ships, tossed and shifting in a gale.

The spirit sends an S.O.S., a shrill m'aidez to wail.
Will hope loom like a lighthouse beacon, ever?
Is the Universe to blame when it's we who fail?
Our lives are tiny ships, tossed and shifting in a gale.

-

Pendragon

02-22-2008, 02:11 PM

"We progress!" As Holmes once said to Watson! :nod:

alakungfu

02-22-2008, 05:54 PM

Reel of Options

Chance has a cause to desert its ways and viscerally forswear,
Particularly if our past mistakes once wantonly observed
A life that's culminated in the keys of Destiny fair.

The challenge of reformation, propitious only dare,
Standard remedy ensures, swiftl Justice may be served.
Chance has a cause to desert its ways and viscerally forswear.

Review the duration of causations, alluring with fanfare.
Engaging in absolved affairs, reaping as deserved
A life that's culminated in the keys of Destiny fair.

Tedium lapses unfocussed excesses tnat yet wear
And Opportunity gives us leave forget those faults conserved.
Chance has a cause to desert its ways and viscerally forswear.

Fortune having loosed its hold on Random's accumulating square
Is testing on its twin Due Course, refined yet unnerved,
A life that's culminated in the keys of Destiny fair.

The ultimate consideration, reasoned and aware;
Adroit the prime avenue dispatched. heavy and reserved.
Chance has a cause to desert its ways and viscerally forswear.
A life that's culminated in the keys of Destiny fair.

Pendragon

02-24-2008, 11:54 AM

More poems, anyone?

Pendragon

03-01-2008, 12:10 PM

BUMP! http://smilies.vidahost.com/games/dbz/dragonball-wishdragon.gif

poetjo

03-06-2008, 07:53 PM

Here's an entry from a newbie!

Damned Watch

Time is a hostage, held captive on my wrist.
I let time rule me, it's oppression skintight.
But does time really matter, does it exist?

My grief runs bone deep for the chances I've missed,
This truth has come through the eyes of wise hindsight,
Time is a hostage held captive on my wrist.

Time's heart broke at the moment of my first kiss,
I still loved him when I lost him to time's wild fight.
But does time really matter, does it exist?

The years have all gone, time's high cost I resist,
My youth is long dead, all mist in the moonlight.
Time is a hostage, held captive on my wrist.

Attacking time through my life I now insist
Was a vain, wasted battle, I'm now contrite.
But does time really matter, does it exist?

I stare hell in the eye, God's help I enlist.
The hours are waning, my death's in the limelight.
Time is a hostage, held captive on my wrist.
But does time really matter, does it exist?

poetjo

Pendragon

03-07-2008, 01:49 PM

Newbies always wlecome. poetjo! http://www.desktopsmiley.com/dl/34995410/f/1356979.gif

Pendragon

03-11-2008, 09:57 AM

The old clock is ticking now people! Get those poems in! http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l108/AbsalomKane/eyes_1.gif

lucidnightmares

03-11-2008, 01:49 PM

theres still time, yay!
i really wanna try my hand at this one too.
here we go, fixed it up.

does he remain
when i am absent?
so grotesque, this man
his eyes,
allways gazing
with stupid look on his face,
staring at me as
if i`m the one
trapped inside

trapped inside
if i`m the one
staring at me as
with a stupid look on his face
allways gazing,
his eyes
this man,so grotesque
when i am absent
does he remain?

Pendragon

03-17-2008, 11:24 AM

Due to death in the family and my own health being bad, the contest being ended today, and no poems having being submitted for days, this is the final judging. Thanks to everyone who entered!

Pendragon

Form Poetry Contest Final

Symphony: The Naive Noesis:
You had a really good villanelle and I think this stanza was the one that stood out the most for me:

The world begets, the world forgets. We forget our histories,
And nod it is only gravity for which the earth is round.
If only we had time enough to serve the trivialities,

I will be eternally grateful to you for your bravery in starting this round. As I go first so many times, I know how hard it is to take that first step. Well done!

astrophysical: Villanelle to a Dutch Summer: There was only one thing you did that I disliked. At the very beginning, you descried your own poem as “lame”. Do not do that. What you write is yours and should be treasured in your own eyes at least. To decry it yourself will make editors not take you seriously at all. Fortunately, I am not one of those editors! This is your best stanza, but the whole villanelle resounds with beautiful imagery. Well done!

Fragrant lemongrass grows sweet where those young foals graze,
The sodium sun bakes the ground hard under the foots sole
While clover fields melt into an amythest haze.

Ah, sweet clover…

thefifthelement: Missing: A real gut wrenching, tear-jerking villanelle! I kept seeing John Walsh’s face and remembering how he lost his son. Terse, short lines for a villanelle, but you made it work with your subject. Well Done. Best stanza, I think was this one:

He was wearing trousers with pockets on
the knee, and a t-shirt egg yolk yellow.
Please help me, have you seen my son?

That egg yolk yellow shirt says it all…

AuntShecky: A Villenelle: You have a wonderful imagination and a great feel for the style of poem, Auntie. That said, how come you give it such an unimaginative name? You know, I have always believed that the name of a work is sometimes the thing that makes it immortal and not particularly the work itself. I liked your villanelle very much, it is carefully crafted and offers the reader the eternal question of why we are here. Well Done! To say truth, it’s hard to pick a favorite stanza:

Neither earnest nor sly intent puffs up a luckless sail.
When God cleaves to the meek, then God help the merely clever.
Our lives are tiny ships, tossed and shifting in a gale.

I think that “God help the merely clever.” is what does it!...

alakungfu: Reel of Options: You had a bit of trouble with your villanelle, but you persevered and it reads very well! Set up is fine and everything looks good. Well done! Nice stanza here:

Tedium lapses unfocussed excesses tnat yet wear
And Opportunity gives us leave forget those faults conserved.
Chance has a cause to desert its ways and viscerally forswear.

One thing you might not want to do. People don’t want to have to get out the dictionary to read poetry. Watch the big words. They look good on paper, yes, and you and I know their meanings. But they may stumble some people. Careful.

poetjo: Damned Watch: A newbie dropping in on a contest for the first time. This is a fine villanelle. You obviously have written this form before, and you do a nice job of descriptive writing here. Well Done! My favorite verse is your wrap-up conclusion:

I stare hell in the eye, God's help I enlist.
The hours are waning, my death's in the limelight.
Time is a hostage, held captive on my wrist.
But does time really matter, does it exist?

I like the whole idea…

lucidnightmares: (unnamed): Unfortunately, even after contacting you and telling you to look at the poem above you to see how to set up your poem, you still got it wrong. What you did was go all the way back to the beginning, and it’s even wrong for that, because the originals had to perfect reverse like this:

Paris in Spring—
Road side café
Peter met Dorothy
Vis-à-vis, teat-à-têat—
Love at once!
They embraced. They kissed.
He gave her flowers.
They walked away happy.

Happy, away walked they.
Flowers her gave he.
Kissed They. Embraced they.
Once at love…
Têat-à-têat, vis-à-vis—
Dorothy met Peter
Café side road—
Spring in Paris…

You are disqualified, Lucid!

Our winner is: After much careful consideration, the newbie, PoetJo! That is one incredible villanelle! Congratulations! Now you may choose the next form for the next contest and set the date for its conclusion. And you are the judge, jury, and hangman!

Thanks to you all for entering! This villanelle just couldn’t be beaten!

Pen

I stare hell in the eye, God's help I enlist.
The hours are waning, my death's in the limelight.
Time is a hostage, held captive on my wrist.
But does time really matter, does it exist?

lucidnightmares

03-17-2008, 09:32 PM

haha oops
owell`s good job PoetJo:thumbs_up

TheFifthElement

03-18-2008, 04:28 AM

Thanks for the feedback Pen & thanks for picking such an interesting form! Hope things are okay with you.

Congratulations PoetJo :)

Pendragon

03-18-2008, 12:27 PM

Oh, yes. To keep a promise. alakungfu originally wrote a poem that is a variation on the villanelle form, which I will call a "Stretched Villanelle." He kept the form and rhyme, but not the repeating lines. I think it quite a masterpiece. See what you think.

Stretched Villanelle by alafungfu

The mists of yesterdays gone by give off a motley glare,
Particularly if our past mistakes with relish once observed
Return to haunt us and our circumstances made bare.

The challenge of reformation, most propitious dare,
The average remedy ensures even that Justice is served.
The hope of ages of improvement remains to all a care.

Review the duration of causations, enticing with great flair
Engaging in absolved affairs, reaping as deserved
The life that culminated in the keys of destiny fair.

Tedium lapses situational excesses that leave wear
And Opportunity gives us leave to forget those faults conserved.
Chance has cause to desert its ways and finds the means to swear.

Fortune, having loosed its hold on random times by its square,
is doting on its twin Due Course, celebrated yet unnerved.
Both siblings run in different roads but their lots they do compare.

The ultimate consideration, reasoned and aware
Becomes the private delivery mechanism, rueful and reserved.
The slightest little complication teases the grace off a stare
And leaves the flagrant means of options in their allegorical lair.

poetjo

03-20-2008, 06:47 AM

Hi Everyone!
I apologize for not responding sooner to the honour of having won the villanelle contest! It was quite unexpected as I'm so new to the forum and I thank you Pendragon for your kind comments!

I've read the thread to see what forms have already been written by all you wonderful poets and have been bouncing some ideas around in my head to come up with another form to try.

I'd like everyone to write a piece of poetry of only twenty-six words (not including the title). The first word of the poem begins with the letter "a", the next word begins with the letter "b"....and continues until the 26th word in your poem begins with the letter "z". I believe this is a contemporary version of what's called the Abecedarian poem.

Here's an example:

Socrate's Death

Ancient brilliance
calmly died,
erased forever.

Grief's haunting
irony: justice
knows loss.

Men needing
obscene power,
quaintly removed
Socrates,
tasting uneasy
vengeance.

Widowed Xanthippe
yearned
Zen.

I wrote this one a while back and it was a lot of fun to write - I found having a dictionary handy was really helpful!!

The deadline for this contest will be in three weeks time which makes it Thursday, April 10.

Happy writing!!!:) :)
poetjo

symphony

03-20-2008, 09:35 AM

Thanks Pen, for those wonderful words. :)
Congrats PoetJo, I'll see if I can make it in time for this round. Looks like fun. :)

alakungfu

03-20-2008, 01:15 PM

Here's my go. I hope someone can make sense of it.

Amnesty

apple
bodes calumny,
dearth ever feckless

grievous histories
immured jealously,
kneading light manners
next-of-precondition

quell reason stemming
tribute,
ushered venerable
worth

xylophoning yore -- Zenith.

lucidnightmares

03-20-2008, 01:22 PM

i had to use a dictionary for this one
as my vocabulary isn`t that amazing:blush:
haha owell`s hopefully i did better on this one

antagonistic beliefs clarify dreams
ever falling

glass happiness impales
jesters kick lonely men
nowhere, only pain

quality resists sleep
thrust upon viral wolfs
Xerophilous youth zombiefied

Pendragon

03-20-2008, 03:55 PM

Tough form!

Propaganda

Always believing calumnies
doesn’t empower false gods—
heroes inevitably justify knowing light—
meaning, not opaque perversions,
quailing righteous spirit—
truth underscores victory!
With xenogenesis youthfulness zoom!

Pendragon

autolycus

03-23-2008, 11:44 PM

Reflections on Modern US Politics

Anger became calm;
Did everyone forget?

Gerontocracy here,
imitating jealous Kronos,
liquidates modern narratives.

O passionate quorum,
relentlessly seek that
united vision wakes
Xanadu's young Zeus!

poetjo

04-05-2008, 10:48 AM

Only a few days left to submit an "alphabet" poem....c'mon poets - write, write, write!!!!:yawnb: :yawnb:

Joyeuse

04-06-2008, 12:32 PM

Boom
A big crash.
Doves extinct forever.
Gone: Happiness, Innocence, Joy.
Killing little men nuke.
Oath prevails quarantine.
Redraft some thoughtless ubiquitarian values.
Waff Xavier yells,
"Zen"

schadenfreude

04-10-2008, 09:21 AM

Longing

Another black cloud.
Do evenings fall gently-
hazes in jubilation?

Kingfishers live,
meandering needlessly
on pointless quests.

See! The undulating
vagaries wakes
Xi’an’s yearning zones.

poetjo

04-11-2008, 10:26 AM

Hi all;
THanks to everyone for writing an alphabet poem...I won't have access to a computer for the weekend so will post the winner on Monday once I've looked them all over...I hope that's okay...
There's all really good poems, it'll be a tough decision!! Thanks in advance for your patience.

Joyeuse

04-23-2008, 07:28 PM

Hmmmm... This is problematic... what should we do now?

Pendragon

05-02-2008, 12:54 PM

We can always vote on it, and move to start a new contest. I started this thread as a contest, and I want it to continue as one. Poetjo has had plenty of time to judge this contest. Where is she? Anyone know?

We can go forward with a new contest, say Shakespearean Sonnet, which I will judge myself, anyone interested in that? We'll try to get people who are going to be here. What say? :idea:

AuntShecky

05-02-2008, 12:58 PM

Good to see you back, Pen.
When you say "Shakespearean" I know you mean 14 lines of iambic pentameter, but do you mean his rhyme scheme as well? What will be the deadline?

Pendragon

05-02-2008, 01:01 PM

Good to see you back, Pen.
When you say "Shakespearean" I know you mean 14 lines of iambic pentameter, but do you mean his rhyme scheme as well? What will be the deadline?Thanks, Auntie! Yes, same rhyme scheme. Example:

Food Fright

What do they put in the food that they sell,
That makes it safe for human consumption?
This tin of canned meat has a suspicious coating of jell,
As if left out until spoiled. I’ve a strong notion
To gag as I look at this crumbling cheese—
Sweet Lord, the stuff looks as though it were rotten!
Whew! And its scent floating by on the breeze—
Tells me that this “delicacy” best be forgotten!
Don’t read the ingredients on hot dogs, dear friend,
Nor on anything made from ground meat—
For if you find out the kinds of things they will put in
You will never desire anything else to eat…
And do not think yourself safe because you are a vegan—
Things like hair and mousie poo and other things get in…

Pendragon
© 3/30/08

I won't set a deadline unless I get poems, but it would be the norm (around a month, shorter if intrest lags)

alakungfu

05-03-2008, 03:17 PM

Love of Fancy

If ever in a dream I see
The future as I’ve fantasized,
The figure of it laid afore me,
My present happenings mesmerized;
If I tomorrow were regent
Of all the lands the winds do touch,
Responsible for indigent
And affluent of savage clutch,
If the seat of power suited
And if I lost my humble state,
Life per my knowledge convoluted,
No poor fortune bore my weight,

I would have you be there with me,
Forever together most worthy be.

lucidnightmares

05-03-2008, 11:04 PM

allways wanted to try this style

I can write endlessly
yet never find a single word
forging syllables artlessly
with thoughts absurd
to capture a moment
is to engulf eternity
to be perfectly content
to live with insanity
and it allways returns
to similar subjects
my tears and heart burns
it`s all so complex

and all the words fail in times of passion
for all we need is that single action

Pendragon

05-04-2008, 10:18 AM

;) I take it, then, that people do wish to enter poems in the form I suggested! :) Well, let's have a few more, and we'll think about a deadline about June 7th, to give me time to get back from vacation and settled back in. The winner will be posted on June 9th. Everyone let everyone else know the contest is back up and running! :thumbs_up

AuntShecky

05-13-2008, 11:25 AM

Will’s Will

We patch biography the best we can
among the remnant details of his life.
We know the works much better than the man,
and even less of Mistress Ann, his wife.
In the Tudor cottage kept tidy, she
took care to settle down the babes at night.
Thus set in her role, her Will was thus set free
to play around The Globe, to act, to write.
His sonnets dripping with exotic charms
could shed some water, though he still retains
the comfort of the Little Woman’s arms.
(So we assume.) But still the fact remains
that when led to his own eternal rest,
he left her just a bed – and not his best.

schadenfreude

05-14-2008, 09:23 AM

Shadow Frenzy

There’s a ghastly creature in the shadows-
Those ten mournful eyes staring straight at me
Those ten spiteful eyes that quickly narrow
Striking my heart with a deadly decree.
O, what Lord that made this monstrosity!
Crawling from the deepest depths of the earth
To incite horror and adversity!
Surely He who brought the flowering birth
- He who sang the stars and inflamed the suns -
could not have woven a web so viscous
to trap the weak. Let it all come undone!
For surely it is not too ambitious,
If lift up my shoe, in a mad bout
To stamp it out! Mash and stamp it all out!

Pendragon

05-30-2008, 10:06 AM

Still time for more poems! Write, Poets! Write! ;) :) :D

Petrarch's Love

05-31-2008, 12:04 AM

I'll give it some thought and do my best to get someting in by June 7th Pen. :)

Pendragon

06-06-2008, 01:03 PM

Tomorrow is only a day away! Contest ends tomorrow! :smash:

ampoule

06-06-2008, 01:58 PM

A Poet's Revenge

The poet lifted his pen, indeed,
the thought on the tip of his tongue,
To place on paper, at last be freed
of a fretful mind, hands all wrung,
This maid who made his heart go sour,
held captive here on the paper
In life she made him all but cower,
this ink, the blood on his rapier,
There'll be no guilt from his revenge,
no sound or pleading eyes,
His quiet words, how they do singe,
to cauterize her lies,
He'll blot it then and smell the ink,
look in the mirror and give a wink.

ampoule, June Sixth, TwoThousandEight

Virgil

06-06-2008, 03:50 PM

I haven't particpated in a while. Since this deadline is so close, I'll wait for the next one to start.

ampoule

06-07-2008, 09:45 AM

I haven't particpated in a while. Since this deadline is so close, I'll wait for the next one to start.

Phew! ;) ;)

Pendragon

06-07-2008, 10:30 AM

Going once... :wave:

:banana: :banana: :banana:

Pendragon

06-08-2008, 10:45 AM

Closed! This contest is now closed. Winner will be posted tomorrow! :thumbs_up

Pendragon

06-09-2008, 09:41 AM

As Promised, I am posting the winner of the poem contest. Talent was at a premium. The choice was a hard one. Lest us look at the poems:
Alakungfu

Love of Fancy

If ever in a dream I see
The future as I’ve fantasized,
The figure of it laid afore me,
My present happenings mesmerized;
If I tomorrow were regent
Of all the lands the winds do touch,
Responsible for indigent
And affluent of savage clutch,
If the seat of power suited
And if I lost my humble state,
Life per my knowledge convoluted,
No poor fortune bore my weight,

I would have you be there with me,
Forever together most worthy be.

A wonderful job. I think your closing couplet was what I liked best.

Lucidnightmares

I can write endlessly
yet never find a single word
forging syllables artlessly
with thoughts absurd
to capture a moment
is to engulf eternity
to be perfectly content
to live with insanity
and it allways returns
to similar subjects
my tears and heart burns
it`s all so complex

and all the words fail in times of passion
for all we need is that single action

This poem again the final couplet was what I liked best. The lines were a bit short for the form, however… A possible title for this might be “Writer’s Block” in homage to the first few lines. All in all, a worthy effort!
AuntShecky

Will’s Will

We patch biography the best we can
among the remnant details of his life.
We know the works much better than the man,
and even less of Mistress Ann, his wife.
In the Tudor cottage kept tidy, she
took care to settle down the babes at night.
Thus set in her role, her Will was thus set free
to play around The Globe, to act, to write.
His sonnets dripping with exotic charms
could shed some water, though he still retains
the comfort of the Little Woman’s arms.
(So we assume.) But still the fact remains
that when led to his own eternal rest,
he left her just a bed – and not his best.

I thought it was really neat how you not only used Shakespearean Sonnet, but you managed to give accolades to the very man we were all trying to emulate. Wonderful job, indeed!

Schadenfreude

Shadow Frenzy

There’s a ghastly creature in the shadows-
Those ten mournful eyes staring straight at me
Those ten spiteful eyes that quickly narrow
Striking my heart with a deadly decree.
O, what Lord that made this monstrosity!
Crawling from the deepest depths of the earth
To incite horror and adversity!
Surely He who brought the flowering birth
- He who sang the stars and inflamed the suns -
could not have woven a web so viscous
to trap the weak. Let it all come undone!
For surely it is not too ambitious,
If lift up my shoe, in a mad bout
To stamp it out! Mash and stamp it all out!

I enjoyed this little poem! The closing couplet is fantastic! Wonderful!

Ampoule

A Poet's Revenge

The poet lifted his pen, indeed,
the thought on the tip of his tongue,
To place on paper, at last be freed
of a fretful mind, hands all wrung,
This maid who made his heart go sour,
held captive here on the paper
In life she made him all but cower,
this ink, the blood on his rapier,
There'll be no guilt from his revenge,
no sound or pleading eyes,
His quiet words, how they do singe,
to cauterize her lies,
He'll blot it then and smell the ink,
look in the mirror and give a wink.

I never cease to be amazed at the nuances in your poetry! A neat little poem, indeed!

But we can have only one winner. I wish there had been more of a turnout, but then people have been disappointed with the last contest never being judged. When I come to the end of these poems, I am lead back to one. AuntShecky not only wrote what to me seems a flawless iambic pentameter sonnet, but she brought in the man who is credited with creating it, Will Shakespeare! I give the contest to AuntShecky! Congratulations on a fine win. You may choose the next form! Way to go!

Pendragon

AuntShecky

06-09-2008, 10:21 AM

Thank you very much,Pen, and thank you to all the participants who submitted such worthy poems.
I am thrilled to be able to choose the next contest form.

The clerihew was invented by Edmund Clerihew Bentley
(1875-1956), also known as the author of a classic mystery novel, Trent's Last Case.

The clerihew consists of two rhymed couplets, which can be "metrically awkward." The subject is a about a famous person or celebrity of the past or present, and the person's name should appear as the rhymed word in the first couplet.

The info about the person can be as irrelevant, irreverent, or uninformative as you like.

It is, however, intended to be funny. Here's one of Edmund's original namesake quatrains:

Geoffrey Chaucer
Could hardly have been coarser,
But this never harmed the sales
Of his Canterbury Tales.

I hope many Litnetters send in some funny entries. I'll set the deadline for July 9 and announce the winner on Thursday, July 10, which is incidentally National Clerihew Day. (http://library.thinkquest.org/2886/jul.htm)

Hope "Pong II" (my computer) doesn't get ornery on that day!

ampoule

06-09-2008, 01:04 PM

Congratulations AuntShecky. Well deserved.

Virgil

06-09-2008, 01:13 PM

Congrats Aunty. Looks like a fun form. I'm going to give it a try. :)

alakungfu

06-09-2008, 01:41 PM

Congratulations AuntShecky. Very creatively rum.

alakungfu

06-09-2008, 01:48 PM

For all we know about Charlemagne
there was no office he wouldn't feign
to keep his empire together
and his subjects under the weather.

Pendragon

06-09-2008, 07:49 PM

The night was black when Sherlock Holmes,
Found a body buried underneath his tomes
The cold dead eyes on his were fixed—
“Wasn’t me, dear boy, the butler did it!”

http://www.sherlock-holmes.co.uk/images/cartoon4.gif

Sarasvati21

06-09-2008, 07:59 PM

Good ol' Mr President
t'ain't never a story he wouldn't invent
to justify his every act
but when it comes to terr'rists, he won't make a pact.

Virgil

06-09-2008, 08:46 PM

AdoreroDio

06-09-2008, 10:25 PM

Brittney Spears
brings her momma to tears
who cares about the national news or what just was
when Brittney baby gave herself a new buzz!

AuntShecky

06-10-2008, 10:53 AM

Question Aunty. Is the poem limited to four lines or is that allowed to vary?

According to my handy dandy Oxford Directory of Literary
Terms, the clerihew is limited to two couplets, rhyming
aa bb.
So, even though one may argue that it's more difficult to write a shorter, concise piece than a longer one, that's the
rule.

autolycus

06-10-2008, 11:03 AM

John Sidney McCain
Grinned through the pain
Of incredible November 4th drama,
Slurred his words, saying, "Oh what a bummer..."

Virgil

06-10-2008, 12:12 PM

According to my handy dandy Oxford Directory of Literary
Terms, the clerihew is limited to two couplets, rhyming
aa bb.
So, even though one may argue that it's more difficult to write a shorter, concise piece than a longer one, that's the
rule.

Thanks Aunty. I saw that after I had posted.

qimissung

06-12-2008, 08:22 PM

O.K., here goes; I've never done this before, so be gentle. Does it have to be absolutely accurate?

Einstein, couldn't talk till he was four;
His frantic parents wanted more.
Friends and family all despaired,
When Albert spake: "E=MC squared."

Virgil

06-12-2008, 11:34 PM

Ok, here's my entry:

Young James Joyce
Had as a teen a crackling voice.
When he went to the girls to get some affection,
He walked down the street with a standing erection.:D

qimissung

06-12-2008, 11:40 PM

All right. Mine is witty, imo, but yours is funny.

Virgil

06-13-2008, 12:04 AM

Ok, here's my entry:

Young James Joyce
Had as a teen a crackling voice.
When he went to the girls to get some affection,
He walked down the street with a standing erection.
:D

Ok, that's my entry Aunty. But I did get carried away and write quite a few of these. I had a lot of fun. Actually the form just beckons for crude humor. I decided to post a whole slew of these in my latest blog entry. Come and visit and check them out: http://www.online-literature.com/forums/blogs/viewblog.php?userid=9515&entry=5700. All who visit, let me know which you liked best. But be aware they are very raunchy. :D

AuntShecky

06-13-2008, 10:44 AM

I decided to post a whole slew of these in my latest blog entry. Come and visit and check them out: http://www.online-literature.com/forums/blogs/viewblog.php?userid=9515&entry=5700. All who visit, let me know which you liked best. But be aware they are very raunchy. :D

Hey, Pen -- can there be multiple entries from the same
LitNet participant?

Auntie

Pendragon

06-13-2008, 12:17 PM

Hey, Pen -- can there be multiple entries from the same
LitNet participant?

Auntie

The rule is one per person in our contests so far. This is your contest, so it's up to you. Do you feel like judging a whole slew of poems? ;)

AuntShecky

06-14-2008, 02:22 PM

For the sake of that old hobgoblin consistency, we'll keep the rules for the Form Poetry Contest the way it's always been: one entry per participant.

qimissung

06-15-2008, 11:18 PM

Thank you Antiquarian-that really makes my day!:)

_Shannon_

06-20-2008, 06:31 PM

Ok, here's my entry:

:D

That was too funny!!!:thumbs_up

_Shannon_

06-20-2008, 06:39 PM

Miss Monica Lewinsky
got down on her knee
Asking about what would follow:
"Mr. President, should I spit or swallow?"

Virgil

06-20-2008, 06:59 PM

Miss Monica Lewinsky
got down on her knee
Asking about what would follow:
"Mr. President, should I spit or swallow?"

:blush: Oh Shannon. :lol: I think you surpassed me.

_Shannon_

06-20-2008, 07:09 PM

LOL! Somehow I don't think that'd win in a magazine....

PrinceMyshkin

06-20-2008, 08:08 PM

Miss Monica Lewinsky
got down on her knee
Asking about what would follow:
"Mr. President, should I spit or swallow?"

Great - and then there's this joke:

President Clinton was about to play a round of golf with some friends. As they got ready to tee off, he removed his jacket. Stuck to his upper left arm, was a pair of silk panties. Nobody in the group had enough nerve to ask about it, so they played the entire eighteen holes as usual. The panties remained stuck to Clinton’s arm.

When the game was completed, and they were having a drink at the club, one of the group got up enough courage to ask:

"Mr. President, what's the story on those panties you have stuck to your arm?"

"It's a patch,” Clinton answered. “I'm trying to quit."

_Shannon_

06-20-2008, 08:14 PM

Rofl!!

Virgil

06-20-2008, 08:21 PM

LOL! Somehow I don't think that'd win in a magazine....

Depends on the magazine. Playboy, Penthouse, Hustler, etc. :D

_Shannon_

06-20-2008, 08:52 PM

Well- I only read Playboy for the articles...

AuntShecky

06-27-2008, 11:56 AM

Just a quick reminder that the deadline for submitting
a clerihew for the current form poem contest is

July 9

AuntShecky

07-03-2008, 11:46 AM

July 9 -- less than one week from today -- is the deadline for entries in the "Clerihew" contest.

barbara0207

07-04-2008, 05:24 PM

Here's my entry:

Miss Amy Winehouse
lives with Bert, a fine louse.
In her backcombed nest of hair
is his lair.

AuntShecky

07-08-2008, 10:47 AM

Last Chance to post an entry in the Clerihew contest!
Barring a crash from my PC -- or yours truly -- the winner will be announced on National Clerihew Day -- Thursday,
July 10, 2008.
So get those Clerihews posted!

firefangled

07-08-2008, 06:21 PM

Bravo! for Edmund Hillary,
conquered the Big Chill for he,
unlike those forsaking want for need,
achieved his lifelong quest indeed.

ampoule

07-09-2008, 08:41 AM

Strike a pose Madonna
Some people call you bwana
Near fifty you're still surgin'
Just not quite like a virgin.

AuntShecky

07-10-2008, 10:27 AM

Happy Clerihew Day, everybody!

I never thought that I'd ever have anything in common with Red Sox manager Terry Francona, but bringing his team to a World Series victory last year carried with it a responsibility -- of managing the AL team in this year's All-Star Game. So for me, it was an honor to have the privilege of picking the form for the current contest, but also the very difficult responsibility of choosing the winner!

Thanks so much to all of you for submitting entries, which varied from truly "historical" figures such as Charlemagne
to fictional characters, such as Sherlock Holmes, to current
celebs. Everyone is a winner to me.

But-- here goes. Pendragon and Virgil get SPECIAL COMMENDATION for quantity. Pen showed his poetic virtuosity by posting (in a separate thread) a clerihew for every single American President. Virgil has a blog full of funny, yet risque, clerihews. (Mr. Clerihew himself reminds me of a late Victorian, so wherever he is, he's blushing while he laughs at his namesake quatrains by Virgil.)

First Runner-UP -- The very funny clerihew about Einstein
by QIMISSUNG

Einstein, couldn't talk till he was four;
His frantic parents wanted more.
Friends and family all despaired,
When Albert spake: "E=MC squared."

And the winner is. . .
Ampoule!

Strike a pose Madonna
Some people call you bwana
Near fifty you're still surgin'
Just not quite like a virgin.

As the winner, Ampoule gets to choose the form for the next contest, and also the difficult task of choosing the next winner.

Thanks again, everyone, for writing your entertaining verses. Mr. Clerihew would be very proud.

(PS -- I called him Mr. Clerihew because we don't call his poems "Bentleys." And I have no idea of what kind of auto he drove.)

ampoule

07-10-2008, 04:42 PM

:eek: Oh nooooooo! I mean....thank you but oh noooooo. Now I have to get in shape, I mean form! I have to pick a form and as those of you who know me know (know me know me know...a little Strangers in the Night) I have absolutely no form. But I will try my best to hold up my end...wait! That doesn't sound right.

Sincerely Auntie, I am very honored that you would choose my Clerihew. Thank you so much. And Happy Clerihew Day to you too!

A woman of words that Aunt Shecky
Knows forms like the back of her necky
Asked what will they do with this Clerihew
Judging done hoots tu-whit tu-whoo!

I'll be back.:D

symphony

07-10-2008, 04:42 PM

Mind-blowing, madame ampoule. :D So, next? :)

firefangled

07-10-2008, 07:14 PM

Congratulations, Amp! Each line in this really fit like a dovetail joint.

Virgil

07-10-2008, 07:26 PM

Very good Amp. Congrats. I'll be looking for your new form. :)

qimissung

07-11-2008, 03:32 PM

Congratulations ampoule. Yours was clever and funny. I liked the Edmund Hillary one, too, firefangled. And thank you AuntShecky, for first runner-up. I had a lot of fun thinking it up. I read all of Virgil's, and now I'll have to check out all of Pendragon's.

qimissung

07-11-2008, 03:43 PM

Where can I find Pendragon's clerihew's?

ampoule

07-11-2008, 08:53 PM

Thanks you guys, that's very nice of you.

Boo hoo. I wanted to use the column poem for the next contest but alas there is no column feature here. :( So I will go browse some more and come up with something by morning.

Pendragon

07-12-2008, 11:00 AM

Where can I find Pendragon's clerihew's?

http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35849&nojs=1#goto_threadrating

And congratulations, Lady Amp! :thumbs_up :) :D

ampoule

07-12-2008, 12:43 PM

Okay, here we go:

Double Acrostic (Place/Something it is known for)
Deadline....August 1st, 2008

An acrostic is a composition in verse in which the initial letter of each line, read down, forms a word. For THIS competition your poem must also end with an acrostic but the word will be formed from bottom to top. To make this even more difficult, or perhaps easier for some, the word formed at the beginning has to be a favorite place, like your hometown or a place you like to go, and the end word must tell something about that place. Here is my short example:

Meditation by ampoule

P...Y...Ponder places you've been merry
A...A...A beach, a party, a simple tea
R...L...Return there with your mind, the portal
K...P...Knowing there the peace you'll keep

You may use any number of lines. I hope this makes sense and I hope you will have fun with it.
Here is a good site to read all about the history of acrostics: http://www.boloji.com/potry/learningzone/pkz13.htm However, do not get confused, their double acrostic is a little different than mine.

alakungfu

07-13-2008, 08:31 AM

Congratulation, ampole. This form is a challenge.

Mental anguish disaffects.
Only ravines and crevices direct;
Useless equipment eludes the reach
Never meant to support the leg.
This turn of freight rifts ennui.
Attention grafts in evidence
In serious crisis, to a rash,
Nestled nests in succession of cliffs disparate.
Still reserves of reverent zeal
Infuse the mountain's travelling fauna
Duplicated in the bric-a-brac
Emulated by the lost climbers.

ampoule

07-13-2008, 01:58 PM

And you, alakungfu, have met that challenge. Good job and thanks!

Pendragon

07-13-2008, 03:20 PM

Vacation Spot

Coming here is like coming home
Always finding that there is peace and magic
Problems just disappear like dream data
Enjoying the sand and the sun and sail
However I cannot always saddle up
Although I would remain adrift
The sea calls to me like a lover’s kiss
The sea beckons like Mozart’s music magically
Every night I hear its deep calling roar
Reminding me of what I miss most
Again to walk the shoreline daily
Seeking summer freedom…

Pendragon
© Sunday, July 13, 2008

ampoule

07-13-2008, 09:22 PM

Wow! This is turning out to be more fun than I thought it would be.

qimissung

07-14-2008, 05:23 PM

Roaming youth, visiting the home
Of Juno, Jupiter, Vulcan,
Michelangelo, Fellini, da Vinci;
Eternal City, laid back is your leit motiv;
Infamous, it’s where great Caesar lived who proclaimed “Veni, vidi, vici,”
Totally conquering hearts where gladiators trod;
Art, architecture, The Chapel, churches, stupendous food, sun-abundant,
Live in my heart-your free spirit does not mar;
You sing eternally in me, an aria.

That was fun-and a challenge.

Beautifull

07-14-2008, 07:46 PM

what's this?

i don't get it...:confused:

lucidnightmares

07-14-2008, 09:30 PM

A trip down memory lane, full of desires
sends one into a sensation, like a thousand fires
yearning and praying for more than mundane
leaving mentality to those with refrain
utopias in a dreamland seem almost at hand
megalomaniacs, everyone in order from z to a
secret schemes to cleanse the world end merely with a scream

haha not as good as i`d like but it was a real challenge and actually more fun than i`d thought it would be.

qimissung

07-14-2008, 11:06 PM

l0l-that's just crazy talk! :lol:

qimissung

07-14-2008, 11:08 PM

Yours is good, by the way-as are alakungfu's and pendragon's. It's just as much fun to figure out what everyone's writing about as it is to read the actual poems, imo.

ampoule

07-15-2008, 01:40 AM

You guys are greater than great! What am I going to dooooooooo?????

Pendragon

07-15-2008, 11:51 AM

It's just as much fun to figure out what everyone's writing about as it is to read the actual poems, imo.I agree with this! And your poems are great! :thumbs_up

ampoule

07-19-2008, 09:01 AM

Just a reminder of our latest Form Poem Contest. We have wonderful entries from alakungfu, Pendragon, qimissung and lucidnightmares. Howzabout adding YOURS so my job of choosing will be absolutely impossible! :lol: Thank you very much.

Okay, here we go:

Double Acrostic (Place/Something it is known for)
Deadline....August 1st, 2008

An acrostic is a composition in verse in which the initial letter of each line, read down, forms a word. For THIS competition your poem must also end with an acrostic but the word will be formed from bottom to top. To make this even more difficult, or perhaps easier for some, the word formed at the beginning has to be a favorite place, like your hometown or a place you like to go, and the end word must tell something about that place. Here is my short example:

Meditation by ampoule

P...Y...Ponder places you've been merry
A...A...A beach, a party, a simple tea
R...L...Return there with your mind, the portal
K...P...Knowing there the peace you'll keep

You may use any number of lines. I hope this makes sense and I hope you will have fun with it.
Here is a good site to read all about the history of acrostics: http://www.boloji.com/potry/learningzone/pkz13.htm However, do not get confused, their double acrostic is a little different than mine.

firefangled

07-19-2008, 10:26 AM

Counting failed always, the first gleaming eye
of a fox or coon, screech owls, a deer scream
raised the hair on my neck and stopped me. I
never failed to fear those yellow eyes and that
fear was the reason in October night, the moon
inches above the earth, yellow at first, as if I
envisioned what was to come, I came. A ghost,
later in the sky, the moon rendered the stalks
dead like bones, an eerie light, but I would go
slowly, over furrows, row by row, as not to fall.

qimissung

07-19-2008, 07:43 PM

very impressive!

ampoule

08-01-2008, 10:14 AM

I knew, I knew, I knew I would have mixed feelings about winning the last form contest because here I sit trying to think how I can get out of this job of choosing a new 'winner'. Thanks to those who participated. Your poems are all absolutely wonderful. You all met this challenge head-on and each poem touched me.

I felt a certain fear clinging to that mountainside with alakungfu, scaling the heights, but even more, exhilarated, and then humbled by the mountains themselves and the lost climbers. Amazing.

And then, in the twinkling of an eye, sand is squishing between my toes as Pendragon shows me the lovely Cape Hatteras and all that it means to him, his tryst place. Refreshing.

Still brushing the sand from my feet qimissung is there in Rome, welcoming me to walk the cool floors of art museums and galleries viewing art divine. Inspiring.

Quite unexpectedly, a side trip with lucidnightmares to an asylum. What do you mean 'not as good as you wanted'? I thought it was wonderful even through the madness. Intriguing.

I always love being lost in time and firefangled's cornfields left me in a maze of thoughts. Mystifying.

So...maybe it's because I am surrounded by cornfields and that autumn is my favorite season but I am choosing firefangled as the winner for this round. His poem appealed to all of my senses and the construction, the words planted so perfectly, like the perfect rows of the cornfield themselves.

Thank you ALL and congratulations FIREFANGLED. :)

lucidnightmares

08-01-2008, 11:45 AM

congrats firefangled:thumbs_up
i`m looking forward to the next contest.

firefangled

08-01-2008, 03:27 PM

Thank you, Ampoule for selecting my poem. This form was a real challenge. I have a memory of being lost in forty acres of corn on a cold night in the Fall. I’m not sure it was October, and the night episode only occurred once, which was plenty. However, I did enjoy the thrill many times of wandering into the maze (hmmm) of a cornfield.

My congratulations to all the poems and poets. I enjoyed reading them all.

I have been trying to think of a form as interesting and enjoyable as the Double Acrostic and I was having a difficult time. I have been reading Mark Strand’s Darker, which has several Litanies. So, this is the form I choose for the next challenge. I think it should be interesting.

Everyone has probably heard a Litany at one time or another. It is a poem built on a pattern of repetition. Nearly every line begins with the same word. Typically, litanies are used to convey praise, to curse, to implore another or one’s self to do something, or beseeching forgiveness to name a few. The Sermon On the Mount is a Litany. The association of one line to another in a Litany can be very obscure or very obvious, but the art of the form lies in that association and the language the poet uses to convey it. Here is an excerpt from Mark Strand’s Giving Myself Up as an example:

I give up my eyes which are glass eggs.
I give up my tongue.
I give up my mouth which is the constant dream of my tongue.
I give up my throat which is the sleeve of my voice.
I give up my heart which is a burning apple.
I give up my lungs which are trees that have never seen a moon.

You can see why Litany is used in prayer. It has a tendency toward fervor by nature. There is no other requirement of the form than this repetition and its imaginative use.

Good luck to all entries!

TheFifthElement

08-02-2008, 09:09 AM

What an interesting form, very fun. I could write and write these.

Swallow

I swallow the kiss of a secret lover.
I swallow the hand reaching out for another.
I swallow the joy from a toddler’s smile.
I swallow the watch with the broken dial.
I swallow the dreams of a newlywed bride.
I swallow the memories from a dying man’s eyes.
I swallow the hope of a new generation.
I swallow the pause in a long conversation.
I swallow the what, the how, and the why.
I swallow the stars from a crisp autumn sky.
I swallow the essence of a good man’s soul.

I swallow the Earth then spit it out again, whole.

Pendragon

08-02-2008, 01:49 PM

Marriage Litany

I give you my hand; I will work to support you.
I give you my eyes; they will not wander to others.
I give you my ears; I will listen to your every sigh.
I give you my tongue, to forever sing your praises.
I give you my arms, to enfold and comfort you.
I give you my chest, as a place to lay your head at night.
I give you my feet; they chased you with laughter.
I give you my heart; it beats only to love you.
I give you my all; I cannot grant you more…

Pendragon
© 8/2/08

AuntShecky

08-02-2008, 03:38 PM

What's the deadline for the "Litany" contest?

firefangled

08-02-2008, 09:29 PM

What's the deadline for the "Litany" contest?

Thank you, Aunt Shecky! I forgot that is part of the requirements. The deadline for submission is August 24th.

firefangled

08-02-2008, 09:31 PM

Fifth and Pen, thanks for getting things off to a great start. These fit the form exactly. Great entries!

alakungfu

08-04-2008, 12:35 AM

Venture All

Venture into the depths alone.
Venture into the lesser known.
Venture into the reefs you dare.
Venture into the vast somewhere.
Venture into the tropical regions.
Venture into the foreign legions.
Venture into the echoing sound.
Venture into the safer ground.
Venture into the stock and trade.
Venture into the life you've made..

lucidnightmares

08-04-2008, 02:57 PM

i want to forget all the pain
i want to forget my years of restrain
i want to forget how to feel
i want to forget what`s real
i want to forget how to wake
i want to forget that i`m a mistake
i want to forget my mind`s confusion
i want to forget of joy`s illusion
i want to forget my lowly place
i want to forget your beautiful face....

AdoreroDio

08-04-2008, 04:01 PM

I curse the land for the bridge it forms
I curse the air which forms a barrier
I curse the water that covers the distance
I curse my feet for not walking
I curse my mind for doubting
I curse my wallet for its moths
I curse you for being unmovable
I curse my heart that keeps beating
I curse my soul which keeps loving
I curse life which keeps going
I curse this distance between us
I curse time and my impatience
I curse death that it won't reunite us

I curse our love, that we cannot be togethor

autolycus

08-05-2008, 03:12 AM

I gather in the shelves, through dewey eyes;
I am childhood fears made into pictures;
I am the maps of paths that bring surprise;
I am wood and stone and metal fixtures;

I am the courses of the months and years;
I am feasts that you have not learnt to make;
I am a poet's loss and evening tears;
I am a chronicle of grave mistake;

I am a war made cold and dry and stale;
I am technology of flame and steel;
I am a peace in blood to make you pale;
I am supposed to try and make you feel;

I am the heart of criminal intent;
I am a science-fiction trope gone wild;
I am the voice of beaten jailed dissent;
I am a manual for a new-born child;

I am about the monsters of the id;
I am a stakeholder report made plain;
I am a pleasure maybe better hid;
I am machinery but used in vain;

I am conspiracy built out of fact;
I am a yearbook of a vanished school;
I am a tale of presidential act;
I am a teacher's words used as a tool;

I am sections periodically bound;
I am a guide to other guides not found;
I am a country travelogue, now see!
I am a shopping catalogue, choose me!

(librarian's response)

I know you all want dearly to be read
But nightfall comes; I'm putting you to bed.

firefangled

08-05-2008, 07:54 AM

I can tell now this is going to be a tough one to judge. I've put an ad in the paper for some extra help. :lol:

Excellent entries everyone!

qimissung

08-06-2008, 05:12 PM

Congratulations, firefangled, on winning the contest. I've been out of town, and just returned. I thought your poem was lovely.

And it looks like you've chosen a very interesting form for the next contest. I see there are some amazing entries already!

qimissung

08-07-2008, 01:44 PM

Someday I want to hold your hand in a night of falling stars
Someday I want to hold your hand while wading in a silver stream of hope
Someday I want to hold your hand, feel it pressed, palm to palm, to mine
Someday I want to hold your hand, and feel you warm and full of life
Someday I want to hold your hand, and watch you sleep and dream
Someday I want to hold your hand, and laugh, and feel it running out our soles
Someday I want to hold your hand, and lose myself in the truth I see in you
Someday I want to hold your hand and feel your hand hold mine

And then I’ll know
And then I’ll know
And then I’ll know

barbara0207

08-09-2008, 05:02 PM

TIDY

She tidied up her hair.
She tidied up her clothes.
She tidied up her husband's suits.
She tidied up her children's toys.
She tidied up her home.
She tidied up her garden.
She tidied up her life.

Then she tidied up her coffin.

firefangled

08-12-2008, 08:50 AM

I am so happy with the response to this challenge. These are all very original and excellent Litanies.

12 days left until the deadline. Let's go poets, I know you are out there!

AuntShecky

08-18-2008, 11:10 AM

The Meatitudes

Blessed be this pond that cannot resist stealing my face,
for it longs for winter and my magnificent image frozen for eternity.

Blessed be the flower that bears my sacred name,
for every other bloom in spring shall wilt in its presence.

Blessed be the Nereids of the sea and the Nymphs of the woods,
for they drown and they rot from my indifference to them.

Blessed be the soft voice that echoes in the hills,
for she wails and mourns for my spurned love.

Blessed be the mountains that long to touch the sky,
for they are made anthills by my towering stature.

Blessed be the graying sky, which ages in envy for my youth, and the clouds that weep at the lack of the beauty that is mine.

Blessed be the sun, always and ever outshone by my golden luminosity,
that burns with jealousy for my ever-burning brilliance.

Blessed be the ordinary mortals, for they are tiny satellites, forever doomed
to revolve around the perfect circle of the world that is

Me.

TheFifthElement

08-19-2008, 06:09 AM

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
nice litany Aunt Shecky

firefangled

08-21-2008, 01:34 PM

Hi Aunty! Thanks for your Litany. Good to see you here!

Just a reminder to everyone, the contest ends at midnight 8/24. There are thee more days and four nights.

Go pay a visit to Hotel Insomnia and get your posts in. :lol:

Il Penseroso

08-24-2008, 02:58 AM

The eye talks rivers under leaves.
The eye moves a story on a screen.
The eye leads what cannot be spoken.
The eye builds frames for what is.
The eye locks imagination under the sea.
The eye is globe for hidden dreams.
The eye is a worm chewing icons of lust.
The eye is a long spiral blanketing dust.
The eye is comfort when shovels tire.
The eye is a strategy for containing each pile.
The I is hidden behind each of these.

firefangled

08-24-2008, 12:50 PM

Thanks, Il Penseroso. Glad to see your entry in the mix!

Contest ends at midnight tonight. What a great response to this contest.

There are still 11 hours left.

qimissung

08-24-2008, 01:01 PM

Great litany, Il Penseroso

TheFifthElement

08-25-2008, 05:19 AM

Yes, nice to see you Il Penseroso, and nice litany!

firefangled

08-25-2008, 07:22 AM

The Form Poetry contest is now closed. :)

I will be posting the winner by Wednesday. It is going to be a tough pick.

firefangled

08-26-2008, 08:54 PM

What a difficult job this is! My hat is off to all those who have ever been in this position.

The Litany form can allow for much diversity, even within its repetition. Each of you has proven this with your poems. There is so much talent, care, and respect for poetry evident in all these poems. A standing ovation from me to all entries.

Now for the hard part.

TheFifthElement
Fifth, your poem seemed to carry the reader through a life where all these moments were taken inside and then finally the earth itself, as if to heal it with all these human things.

Pendragon
Such an expression of devotion in Pen’s Marriage Litany. What magnificent wedding vows it would make!

Akakungfu
I liked the quiet, imperative nature of Venture All. We live with choices we make in life. The short lines with the specific selections for place are not at all simple in their meanings.

Lucidnightmares
I like that as I read I was not sure of what the speaker was trying to obliterate with this plea for forgetfulness, until the last line and then you used a tangible image to bring it home.

Adererodio
This litany demonstrates what is indicative of curses, in that they often end up involving the very thing the curse hopes to resolve or restore in some way.

Autolycus
I liked the wordplay and the comprehensive view of the written word. The ending was unexpected and delightful.

Barbara
If Emily Dickenson wrote litanies (maybe she did) this would be one. The last line gave me goose-bumps. When I finished the poem, the title hit me like a split atom.

Qimissung
What I liked especially was the way it expanded the meaning and love in something as simple as holding hands.

AuntShecky
I love the wit and sarcasm in this. Beatitudes with an attitude. Very nice how echo fits in with the litany.

Il Penseroso
Wonderful wordplay with the last line and a most amazing litany for what is reveal through and hidden from this complex lens.

Thanks again to everyone for your entries. They were all great litanies. I mean it sincerely when I say the choice was difficult. I started to list a top three, but I could not do it; they were all so good.

The one that I choose as the winner is Swallow, by TheFifthElement. I think perhaps it is where we are at this time in the world that a poem of healing touched me. Congratulations, Fifth, a remarkable poem!

And a final congratulations to all entries. I now relinquish the hot seat to TheFifthElement, and say BADABOOM!

qimissung

08-26-2008, 09:11 PM

May I be the first to say CONGRATULATIONS!!!! to you, FifthElement. I thought your poem was terrific!

As were they all...

autolycus

08-27-2008, 09:17 AM

Congratulations to the quintessence! *grin* I much enjoyed it.

AuntShecky

08-27-2008, 12:03 PM

firefangled

08-27-2008, 11:33 PM

Congratulations to all who participated in this round of the form poetry contest. Thanks for your kind assessment of my little ditty, firefangled, but I have to tell you that "Echo" was the scorned lover of Narcissus, who was the speaker of this little litany. Narcissus is also the subject of the poem -- or maybe it's
Matthew McConaughey.

I knew that, but I did not want to give it away. Depending on which Narcissus story you used he died, so I was glad to see him his conceited sassy self. I also had a weak feeling that this went beyond Narcissus into the original beatitudes and their somewhat condecending tone, but I said nah!
It is one of my favorite Spring flowers.

TheFifthElement

08-28-2008, 12:13 PM

Thanks firefangled :)

and congrats to everyone who participated; there were lots of good poems, it must have been a difficult choice.

For the next round I'd like to select a form which we are probably all familiar with.

Haiku

Why, you might ask? Because I love them, and because to encompass the true spirit of haiku is more difficult than it seems.

So, what is haiku?

Haiku is a traditional Japanese lyric form of poetry with a strict syllable count (this may be varied in English haiku, but I'd like to stay traditional here) consisting of 17 syllables over three lines with a line count of 5,7,5. See the following example, one of the original haiku by the haiku master Basho:

All that remains of
those brave warriors' dreamings -
these summer grasses

Traditionally haiku have a placement in time. In Japanese haiku this was often achieved by reference to specific elements of nature, for example the 'summer grasses' as mentioned in the haiku above but you will see, if you read a number of traditional haiku, that it may be difficult to reference the poem to a particular time by western eyes, as per the following example also by Basho:

A dragonfly, trying to –
oops, hang on to the upside
of a blade of grass

this is because in Japanese tradition they would associate certain elements of nature, creatures, weather, astronomical bodies (reference to the moon would be, by poetic association, the harvest moon, and therefore autumn), with particular times of the year. In the above example it is the dragonfly itself which identifies the 'time' of the haiku.

Traditional haiku generally encapsulate a moment or an image and express it in terms of:

What (brave warriors) (dragonfly)
Where (in a field - denoted by grasses) (blade of grass)
When (summer) (the time of year when dragonflies were seen!)

So, I would like you to compose a haiku sticking to the three lines with a syllable count 5,7,5, with a placement in time, and addressing the question of What, Where and When as imaginatively and as subtly as you can!

Deadline for entries will be midnight of 3rd October (GMT).

Looking forward to some interesting entries :D

Virgil

08-28-2008, 03:11 PM

Oooh, that's an easy form. :D I think I'll participate. I should be able to squeeze that in. Just to be clear, there is no subject to address. It's what we want as a subject, correct?

barbara0207

08-28-2008, 05:10 PM

Congratulations, Fifth! A well-deserved win! And the traditional haiku is a very good choice. Maybe I can come up with something.

Thank you, firefangled, for your kind comment. I know how hard the job is ...

alakungfu

08-29-2008, 03:37 AM

Congratulations, Fifth Element. Here's my haiku. I don't know if it answers all your criteria, but it's what I came up with.

beauty, cold and gone,
glossing vapid sillhouette,
striated lava

TheFifthElement

08-29-2008, 04:49 AM

Oooh, that's an easy form. :D I think I'll participate. I should be able to squeeze that in. Just to be clear, there is no subject to address. It's what we want as a subject, correct?

Correct, you can choose the subject matter.

Easy?!

Great start alakungfu - keep 'em coming!

rabid reader

08-29-2008, 09:50 AM

Dreaming an escape
Sleep soundly in an ally
Alone with no home

autolycus

08-29-2008, 11:54 AM

White bear's last footprint
An invisible banner
Rippling in the heat

Pendragon

08-30-2008, 08:18 AM

Good going, Fifth! :thumbs_up

Grasshopper in fields
now reaped of their new harvest
will starve without food...

firefangled

08-30-2008, 01:46 PM

we live entangled,
in the restless sleep of God,
dreams in a dim room

TheFifthElement

09-08-2008, 03:24 AM

Lots of good entries so far - keep them coming! There's still plenty of time before the deadline of 3rd October.

Haiku! bless you!

astrophysical

09-12-2008, 05:39 PM

The whisked air rumbles
Apollo's plot, as light whips
his chariot on.

TheFifthElement

09-25-2008, 03:50 AM

Don't forget to submit your haiku before the deadline of 3rd October!!!

lucidnightmares

09-25-2008, 07:26 PM

you and i tumble
into illusions of love
the summer was ours...

qimissung

10-03-2008, 12:02 AM

scarlet scaling the
morning sky, cardinal bathes
in the golden sun

TheFifthElement

10-03-2008, 04:40 AM

Thanks lucid & quimmi :)

Just a few hours to go, get you're Haiku in now (you've got to be in it to win it...or so the National Lottery say!)

windblown

10-03-2008, 07:17 AM

This yellowing leaf
Bathing in October light -
How long will it last?

TheFifthElement

10-04-2008, 06:55 AM

The contest is now closed for entries.

Now the hard work begins ;)

TheFifthElement

10-09-2008, 01:25 PM

Apologies for the delay, and thanks to everyone who entered a haiku into the contest. The standard has been really high, every haiku submitted is a winner in my book.

I hope you don't mind but in view of the shortness of the form I wasn't planning to comment on each one. All the haiku submitted were excellent, beautiful images in their own right, and there's such an excellent range of themes here that it is hard to say anything other than everyone who's entered has done a brilliant job.

Needless to say the choice has been extremely difficult.

So, I'll stop blathering, except to say that the winner is.....

......

....wait for it.....

***Windblown***

With a neat little haiku, perfectly capturing the decay of autumn with a single yellowing leaf. And leaving pause for thought too. An excellent haiku.

As the all were.

Congratulations, and thank you to everyone who took part.

Windblown, could you select the next form?