Form Poem Contest

[Dark Muse]

Between Here & After

The sky split open before me
standing here beneath the world tree
below the dead in slumber be.

Afar I hear the sirens sing
within my ears the echoes ring
that could humble even a king
a tempest rose upon the sea

Torn between life and waiting death
but one kiss hath stolen my breath
I gazed into the eyes of Seth
the raging winds will set me free

Neath the world tree I take my rest
as the Bard tells his final jest
and by the spirits I am blest
arose the cry of the Banshee.

[tailor STATELY]

Deadline already.

In order of reading:

YesNo - A Zejel with the touching tale of love gone sour; only to be reawakened with the night rain beating down, giving the poem a nice "turn" at S4 L1. The form was nicely encompassed within an 8-syllable/line format.

Pendragon - Enjoyed. A Zejel of a vision quest invoking a totem animal; retaining the totem animal within. The syllable count/line varied somewhat, but didn't seem to detract from the poem and its telling very much. Tres bien.

whitman - A bittersweet poem of a grandfather's folly and fantasy. While not a Zejel, it was well written and I enjoyed the tale.

Dark Muse - A poem of other-worldly tension; a Zejel with the form encompassed within an 8-syllable/line format. S3 really stood out for me.

After much deliberation I award Dark Muse as the winner. Congratulations.

Well done everyone!

Ta ! (short for tarradiddle),
tailor STATELY

[Pendragon]

Congrats Dark Muse! :smilewinkgrin:

[Dark Muse]

Thank you, I will work on thinking up the next form.

[Dark Muse]

I came up with an idea which I thought would be fun, so your next challenge is to write acrostic poem using the letters of your own user name.

An acrostic poem is a poem in which the first letter of the first word in every line spells out a particular word or name.

Usually the word/name chosen is also the subject of the poem, but in this challenge you may be creative with the content of the poem. It does not have to be about you or anything relating to your user name if you do not choose.

An example:

December eyes steal into my soul,
alluring diaphanous lips
retain alchemistic secrets,
keeping my heart within your ebon box.

Moth-like caresses upon my skin,
under the spell of your illusionist love,
serpentine kisses swallow me whole,
elusive I become lost in your labyrinth.

[YesNo]

Yes, surprise smooths fearful corners
Easing pleasure, even pain.
Sudden peace for broken mourners
Now upends both loss and gain
On the joy of sunshine's rain.

[cacian]

corner to corner I see the stars
alignements make them float the skies
colours to colours I see the lights
increasingly brighter they swirl the tides
allowing the mornings to swim the heights
nautical fashion till night time glides

[Pendragon]

Past the limits of my mind
Endurance starts to shatter
No way out and no one I can trust
Dreaming broken visions of mocking ghosts
Reality seems illusion, can I pay the cost?
Act like nothing's going wrong, pray every day
God in heaven knows I don't know where to turn
Only Fate knows the future, my steps still stumble on
Nothing ventured, nothing gained, nothing lost...

Pendragon
(C) 6/21/2012

[moonbird]

Moonless night of songbird cries
Our eyes reflect the starless skies
Onyx blankets lovers' kiss
Nighttime blooms with passion's bliss
Birds of heaven and of hell
In the whisper breeze's swell
Rolling over moonlit skin
Darkness hiding lovers' sin.

[Dark Muse]

Thank you all!

This one was really tough, as you all had great entries.

YesNo: This was beautiful, it crated a very vivid image in a few words. I like the hopeful note in it, and the suggestion of rebirth. I also think that the balance between negative and positive presented within the poem, does reflect well upon your name.

cacain: This paints a wonderful picture of the night sky. This is beautifully written and has such a serene feeling. There is some lovely language here. I also like the originality used to describe a subject that is often addressed. The first line peeked my interest from the start, and I loved the last line.

Pendragon: A wonderful way with words as always, and this poem is so you. Quite haunting. I particularly loved this line "Dreaming broken visions of mocking ghosts" I also really enjoyed the way in which the last line gives the effect of fading away, and how it leaves things open.

And the winner is........

moonbird: This was beautiful and haunting, I loved the dark allure, and the imagery. Also quite enjoyed your use of rhyme. There was some great lines here, and nice use of language. I loved the opening line, which caught my attention right away and the ending I thought was great as well.

[cacian]

Dark Muse thank very much for the feedback and many congratulations Moonbird a very well deserved win!!:wave:

[Pendragon]

congratulations Moonbird

[moonbird]

Thank you!

The next form will be the Sedoka. This style consists of two stanzas, unrhyming, each with the syllable count 5/7/7. For an example see this link:

http://www.shadowpoetry.com/resources/wip/sedoka.html

Deadline is July 20. Good luck!

[Dark Muse]

And the Stars Fell

Do you remember
on a sultry summer night
when you spoke your last goodbye?

How clear the sky was
and even then I loved you
we watched the stars as they fell.

[moonbird]

Only one? I'm shocked.

[Pendragon]

Trying really hard
To achieve perfection has
been my only true goal in life

I have badly failed
But if I try perhaps I
Achieve perfection in death...

Pendragon
(C) 7/15/2012

[MarkBastable]

Do Not Press This Button


The museum’s rules
Are impractical and no
Schoolkid could ever comply.

One, too free for five
Minutes, trashed an abacus.
You could have counted on that.

[moonbird]

5 more days. Keep em coming.

[cacian]

could you still be light
although you spoke not, of dark
having turned your back?

would it still be there
the light that was once, simply
the meaning of life?

[moonbird]

Dark Muse: Beautiful imagery and an original story.

Pendragon: Dark and thought-provoking. I liked it.

MarkBastable: Very interesting. A unique piece.

cacian: Interesting contrast between light and dark.


And your winner is Dark Muse. Congrats!

[Dark Muse]

Thank you very much!

[Pendragon]

Congrats, DarkMuse! :patriot:

[Dark Muse]

Thank you!

[Dark Muse]

Ok your next form is Pleiades

It is a poem with a one word title and a single seven line stanza. The first word of each line starts with the same letter as the first word in the title.

For and example look here:

http://www.shadowpoetry.com/resources/wip/pleiades.html

[Pendragon]

Sorrow

Suffering long takes a long, long time
Solitude assures that I can clear my mind
Shifting memories that can haunt me at times
Seeking ever restful, calm unending rhyme
Softly now from somewhere deep inside
Somber questions from heart depths arise
Sound of silence echoes from dark skies...

Pendragon
(C) 7/23/2012

[cacian]

congratulations Dark Muse this looks quite interesting.
I will come back to this...

[Dark Muse]

congratulations Dark Muse this looks quite interesting.
I will come back to this...

Thank you!

[cacian]

eminent

elevate a thought to make a sought
extrapulate a sound to make a prow
evaluate a mind to strike a say
emancipate a play to write a tale
expell the lows to reach the highs
eliminate the brash to look the part
entranch the whys and does and be the best

[YesNo]

Bright

By the park, they watch through twilight.
Bettie and her Tom are walking.
Bright the moon, then bright the midnight,
Bright the dreams that frame delight,
Bright the eyes that focus their sight.
Bettie and her Tom are talking
By the park with hands held tight.

[moonbird]

Muse of artists' painted stroke
Music voice as soft as smoke
Melting into glittered stars
Making streaks like whitened scars
Mask to hide the darkened skies
Madness shrieks in night birds' cries
Moonlight shine your chilling glow.

[WhiteRabbit24]

I haven't written a poem in ages but here goes...

Water

Wake up next to a cool spring
whistling waves of breeze
Wash and wear the sea creatures'
wardrobe: a clear tease
Why, weep! Because, in truth, these
woven currents are filled with
waste and debris

[cacian]

Any judges around? :p

[Dark Muse]

Yes soon, I just recently got back from vaccation so I haven't got around to it yet, but I have been meaning to shortly.

[Dark Muse]

Pendragon: Beautiful and elegant, in spite of the darkness ( or perhaps because of it, for me) there was something I found almost serene within this poem. It had a lovely flow to it, and I really enjoyed your use of rhyme. Wonderfully written.

cacian: I am not sure I really understand this one, but it was quite interesting. I really enjoyed your use of language here, and the broad vocabulary, also I thought it did have a good rhythm to it.

YesNo: Another poem with a good use of rhyme. I really liked the repetition of "bright" I thought it worked quite well within this poem and it gave it an almost lullaby like feeling. I also really enjoyed the atmosphere which the poem set. It painted a vivid picture in my mind of a pair of lovers walking together in the park.

WhiteRabbit24: An interesting poem, I like the way in which there is both a touch of humor to it, as well as bleak reality. I enjoyed that sort of balance of the poem, as it starts out with a rather claming image, and then diverges into something more cynical.

And the winner is......

moonbird: I loved the imagery of your poem, and thought it had some beautiful lines and was quite haunting and enchanting. Loved the darkness of the mood and the touch of whimsy to it.

[moonbird]

Thanks Dark Muse! The next form is one I only recently discovered, the Fibonacci poem. You may be familiar with the mathetician's famous sequence, where the sum of the last two numbers equals the third. This poetic style uses the sequence for its syllable count, which is as follows: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, etc. You can make it as many lines as you like in this pattern. For more information see the link below. Deadline August 1. Good luck.

http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/poetic-asides/poets/fibonacci-poetry-a-new-poetic-form

[cacian]

now
is
the right
time to be
the right way to say
those words all over again
life is an ingredient love is civilient
mix
all
for a
fun deluge

[Pendragon]

why
does
the night
call to me?
lost in my little dreams
what a way to live life these days...

pain
feels
like hell--
suffering
I do my penitence
does God still care or am I lost?

graves
seem
to be
a good thing
I wish I was there
visit me when you get the time...

no!
no
peace there
only pain!
I must enjoy life
in spite of all the things I hate!

push
the
tears away
dry my face
try to mend my heart
never easy, but can be done...

sleep
comes
must I
dream again
haunted by my fears?
remember why I choose to live

new
dawn
pink sky
time to rise
today celebrate
one more day I have made it through!

face
dawn
bright sky
cry a tear
moment passes fast
I smile and vow to cry no more!

Pendragon
(C) 8/18/2012

[Dark Muse]

Voodoo

Snake
eyes
watch me
from afar,
this voodoo magic
courses strongly through my blood stream,
my soul vibrates with the distant beating of their drums,
dancing in a state of possession and opiate, come Papa Legba, come unto me.

[moonbird]

Deadline in less than a week.

[MarkBastable]

A Week Away

One
by
one the
blue mornings
come, each clutch of five
and trailing pair like trippers on
the promenade. Kids run ahead, grasping their pennies,
while mum and dad breath seaside air and send a card to
remind themselves of who they’ll be
should they be spared. The
post's on time,
but no
one's
there...

[miyako73]

Veinte Poemas de Amor


Oh!
Live,
If not
For someone,
For the book lying
On the old table unopened,
On the same table where you will write your last letter
About things that make you sad, about things you hate, about ugly things not in that book.

[moonbird]

cacian: A unique take on the form.

Pendragon: I love how you expanded it into several stanzas, it helped the overall flow. Your thoughts were very well explained.

Dark Muse: Stunning and dark, very beautiful.

MarkBastable: I like your simple rural style.

miyako73: Very beautiful. Loved the last line.

This was a difficult form and there were many excellent entries, but the winner I have chosen is Pendragon. Congrats.

[Dark Muse]

Congrats Pendragon

[cacian]

Thank you moonbird and congratulations Pendragon!

[Pendragon]

Thank you one and all! Next form is:

Rondeau
A lyrical poem of French origin having 10 or 13 lines with two rhymes and with the opening phrase repeated twice as the refrain.


EX:

Untitled
Anonymous Woman Poet (12th century)

I walk in loneliness through the greenwood
for I have none to go with me.
Since I have lost my friend by not being good
I walk in loneliness through the greenwood.
I’ll send him word and make it understood
that I will be good company.
I walk in loneliness through the greenwood
for I have none to go with me.

Best of luck to you all!

[YesNo]

The example didn't fit the description, Pendragon. Did you mean the form that was described here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rondeau_%28poetry%29

[Pendragon]

The example didn't fit the description, Pendragon. Did you mean the form that was described here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rondeau_%28poetry%29

Sure, whatever, go for it, etc.

[Pendragon]

Sure, whatever, go for it, etc.

I'm very sorry folks, it's been hell being me this last month. Pray forgive me.

actually, I went here: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/5789
I seem to have chosen a poem from the wrong place however, (Good catch, YesNo!)

Here's a good example to go by, showing how to vary the repeating line and still keep form:

John McCrae’s 1915 wartime poem,
"In Flanders Fields":

In Flanders fields the poppies grow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place, and in the sky,
The larks, still bravely singing, fly,
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead; short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe!
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high!
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Forgive my lassitude and please enter the contest.

Love to you all and God Bless

Pendragon

[YesNo]

Summer

Around the yard the children played,
All small, with tiny feet to wade
Through green that sparkled in the sun
And tickled legs to jump and run
While parents on the side-lines stayed.

When restless dreams must be delayed
And pain insists it must be paid
Some doubt, but life has always won,
And honors, and abandons none
Around the yard.

Warm summers with their pleasures made
Fresh flowers open others fade
To rest when their brief tasks were done.
Let others rush to join the fun
And laugh with life through sun and shade
Around the yard.

[Dark Muse]

The Black Queen

Black clouds gather as the storm begins to rise,
in shadows I watch you plan my demise,
my soul quakes in perverse delight,
the tempest I'll bring upon you in fright,
your mask cracks, and I see through your disguise.

Once I trembled with your twisted lies
now I'll topple you from abysmal skies,
Lucifer falling in thunder's light,
Black clouds gather.

Without remorse I close your dead eyes
and leave you behind with the worms and flies,
empty smiles in the waning night,
the darkness was mine to smother your plight,
no others will be mislead by your guise
Black clouds gather.

[cacian]

the air is dense
with forest fence
the rivers's pale
with too much hale
everything else if paused and tense

the skies are blend
with something trend
the cooling of the breeze and ale
dissipates fast somewhere to rise.

fountains churn colours of sense
beautiful daisies lay intense
reflections of a day immense
the view is a fascinating tale
the moment of a captive dale
dissipate fast somewhere to rise.

[Pendragon]

I'm going to give the contest until Wednesday week from now. I'll be back from Nashville to see my daughter (who is pregnant with my grandson, Logan Michael Kohari) by then. Keep the poems coming!

[MarkBastable]

Hanging On

If our paths cross sometime tonight
Beneath these humming argon lights,
In the hour we’re both around
When my breath's lost and yours is found,
I’ll feel I did just one thing right.

The quacks make sure I’m out of sight,
As Annie yells with all her might.
I’ll tell you how to calm her down,
If our paths cross.

And, by the way, your mom’s alright.
She’ll make a man of you despite
A dad who was a drunken clown.
I'm proud of her. I guess I’m bound
To tell her so. I will, tonight,
If our paths cross.

[Pendragon]

I apologize for the late judging, my laptop was stolen when my son's home was robbed. Lost a lot of data I had failed to back up. You live, you learn...

Now then:

YesNo. Love it, reminds me of childhood!

Dark Muse: Always at your morbid best, well done!

cacian: Interesting choice

But the winner is:

MarkBastable

That repeating line "If our paths cross" evokes memories of old friends, old flames, and old enemies... What would I do "if our paths cross"? Hummm...

Congrats. MarkBastable

[cacian]

Pendragon very sorry to hear about your laptop.
Robbery seems to be a daily act.
I was just talking to my son yesterday telling me his friend got robbed in his home whilst he was asleep. It happened in the early hours of the morning. His laptop also gone.

Thank you for the feedback and MarkBarstable congratulations!!

[MarkBastable]

Thank you. I'm chuffed.


Okay, let's do a limerick. Limericks needn't necessarily be comic, but they almost always are because the rhyme scheme and the metre just strike the ear as funny. When limericks fail, it's often because not enough work has been done on getting the metre right.

Wiki is forthcoming in this area.


The standard form of a limerick is a stanza of five lines, with the first, second and fifth usually rhyming with one another and having three feet of three syllables each; and the shorter third and fourth lines also rhyming with each other, but having only two feet of three syllables. The defining "foot" of a limerick's meter is usually the anapaest, (ta-ta-TUM), but limericks can also be considered amphibrachic (ta-TUM-ta)[dubious – discuss].

However, from a rhythmic point of view, lines 1, 2 and 5 have a silent accent at the end, making 4 accents per line. Lines 3 and 4 combined also have 4 accents, making four lines with an overall total of 16 accents (i.e. foot tapping "beats" ). Reading, or reciting, naturally follows the rhythm of 6/8 time, making eight bars of two triplets per bar. A triplet represents a "foot" of 3 syllables.

Er, yuh. Whatevs. The point is, it has be dead-on...

T'boppeter boppeter bopper
T'boppeter boppeter bopper
T'boppeter bip
T'boppeter bip
T'boppeter boppeter bopper

(The bips can be bippers, but it's more difficult to keep the rhythm smooth if you take the bipper option.)

There's also the question of subject matter. Wiki has this to say...


Gershon Legman, who compiled the largest and most scholarly anthology, held that the true limerick as a folk form is always obscene, and cites similar opinions by Arnold Bennett and George Bernard Shaw, describing the clean limerick as a periodic fad and object of magazine contests, rarely rising above mediocrity. From a folkloric point of view, the form is essentially transgressive; violation of taboo is part of its function.


Magazine contests, huh? Well, I do tend to Legman's view that a limerick should be, if not obscene, certainly risqué - which is not easy to do. However, the censor software on this forum notwithstanding, I say, "Contestant, if you got dirty down, get down and dirty."

Here, for instance, is a limerick I penned this morning, to get us all in the mood...

There once was a ******** from ******
Who ****** with a ****** up her ******
When she ******** in a ******
It was ****** ** *******
And her **** ****** sticky and ********

If you plan on writing this kind of limerick, I suggest mailing it to me as well as posting it here.

Deadline: October 26th. Good luck.

[YesNo]

Rose and Billy

There once was a lady named Rose,
Very nice from her head to her toes.
Billy's dreams weren't that pure.
Rose don't mind. She is sure
He won't mind if some more of her shows.

[My2cents]

*$#@ *@#

The cacophony of voices, pleading, begging…
Bugger off, I say before I @!# ^%&* &*(^ing
Do to you what I would…
Erm…I mean what I should
Have done to you you *(&^%(% ^%$&ing…

[Pendragon]

The once was a man of such fame
That all knew his wealth and his name
Death came to call
In the end, after all
Worm food is all he remains

[cacian]

in a far away town called seville
lived a man called neville
he did not care for dreads
nor did not speak in swears
but the one thing he dwelled
was his crown and his tan

[cacian]

this is long over due.
Judges anywhere?

[MarkBastable]

For hitting the metre and going against the usual limerick subject matter, the winner is Pendragon.

[Pendragon]

Thanks, Mark.

As many of you know, I am very partial to the villanelle form. Make that your assignment for this next round. Here's a good example: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mad_Girl's_Love_Song_(poem

Advice: Choose your repeating lines carefully. They are most of the challenge, to keep them flowing as they repeat.

Good luck

Pen

[YesNo]

Don't pet the werewolves in the zoo.
They say their teeth are sharp and bite.
Don't let the mermaids cuddle you.

They tease with lies until they're true
Insisting what they did was right.
Don't pet the werewolves in the zoo.

The past might break with what is new.
The future won't stay out of sight.
Don't let the mermaids cuddle you.

They say you'll die, though, if you do.
Don't feed the ogres. They might fight.
Don't pet the werewolves in the zoo.

Don't breathe the fairy dust blown through
The bars that hold these creatures tight.
Don't let the mermaids cuddle you.

You did? I know. I did it, too.
Some rules are made to cage delight.
Don't pet the werewolves in the zoo.
Don't let the mermaids cuddle you.

[Dark Muse]

Broken Love Song

He sang a broken love song
another melancholy Autumn day,
the lone bird flew away, so long.

The wind braces me to be strong
like fallen leaves I dream of slipping away,
he sang a broken love song.

His fragile beauty was so wrong
yet silently I wished he could stay,
the lone bird flew away, so long.

Thunder claps like a gong
while in the rain to and fro I sway,
he sang a broken love song.

In the cage of my heart he did not belong
I watched him disappear in skies so gray,
the lone bird flew away, so long.

Why this agony do I prolong?
the bitterness of my soul in decay
he sang a broken love song,
the lone bird flew away, so long.

[Pendragon]

Anyone else got a poem? Between two fine writers now, but who knows you could still win if you enter...

[prendrelemick]

Give me the weekend, I'am struggling to get my head round this.

[prendrelemick]

Tuesday.

There is nothing on the telly for tonight,
Just twenty seven channels all the same,
And the evening stretches on out of sight.

I know what we could do to make it right,
We could try some conversation if you're game,
Cos there's nothing on the telly for tonight.

I'll try to keep my chatter nice and bright,
Though an answer would be good now and again,
For the evening stretches on out of sight.

And though I think my words deserve requite,
you just sigh and say you think it is a shame,
that there's nothing on the telly for tonight.

If we've naught to say at least we'll be polite,
We never talk and no one is to blame,
And the evening stretches on out of sight.

So it seems we cannot talk and cannot fight,
How ever did we come to be this tame,
And the evening stretches on out of sight
And there's nothing on the telly for tonight.

[Pendragon]

After much consideration, I think YesNo had the best flow of rhyming words which is the essence of the villianelle. You're up, YesNo!

[cacian]

YesNo congratulations!!

[YesNo]

Thanks, Pendragon and cacian!

The next form is taken from the Four and Twenty short form poetry site: http://4and20poetry.com/

Basically, the poem has to have 20 or fewer words on 4 or fewer lines. There are no other constraints.

Deadline: Sunday, December 23rd.

[Dark Muse]

They Fall

Your eyes melted into the sky
as jellyfish illuminate the night,
cosmic bodies, they fall to earth
becoming alien beauties.

[Pendragon]

In the blackness of space
Time means nothing
Here inside my heart
Time means everything

Pendragon

[cacian]

life a quick swirl of water
splashes and rises whenever
you're tired
water is life only for your eyes

[tailor STATELY]

MESSENGER Probe

Mercury polar water ice found
No signs of life noted
Administration has yet to acknowledge
Global warming there affects Earth

11/30/2012

Ta ! (short for tarradiddle),
tailor STATELY

[MarkBastable]

life is a quick swirl of water
it splashes and rises whenever
you're tired
water is life only for your eyes


...you might want to wipe your eyes and re-count.

[cacian]

...you might want to wipe your eyes and re-count.

Oops thanks Mark!

[prendrelemick]

There was a young lady of Fleet,
Her poems she'd never complete,
This Limerick's an example,
for you to sample,

[moonbird]

She grew out her bangs
To cover her eyes,
So lovely once,
Now scarred.

[YesNo]

Thank you for the entries!

Dark Muse: I don't normally think of aliens as beautiful, but you've changed that for me.

Pendragon: This is a nice comparison of lived time with time used as one of the coordinates in space.

cacian: When water wakes us up it gives us enough consciousness to realize we're alive.

tailor STATELY: Nice contrast between a space probe and global warming.

prendrelemick: I was wondering if one could somehow fit a limerick into this form when I first heard of it.

moonbird: I liked the idea of her using her bangs to cover her scars.

The challenge with this form is that it is so short but still potentially longer than a haiku. I enjoyed all the entries. They could all be winners.

Winner: tailor STATELY

Congratulations!

[cacian]

tailor STATELY congratulations and thank you YesNo.

[Pendragon]

Congratulations TAILOR STATELY!

[tailor STATELY]

Thank you!

Next a Shadorma: meter = 3/5/3/3/7/5

A Shadorma may have more than one stanza, and generally does not rhyme, with each stanza following the 3/5/3/3/7/5 meter.

An example written on LitNet: http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?20601-pencil-thin-a-shadorma&highlight=Shadorma

pencil thin ~a shadorma

pencil thin
thoughts of compassion
up against
egoism
a narcissistic aura
hangs heavy and low

(c)2006 Susan Sonnen

Entries end January 21st, 2013. Good writing!

Ta ! (short for tarradiddle),
tailor STATELY

[YesNo]

Forever
Unbelievable
Forever
And ever
Expecting only peaceful
Night not this bright light.

[Pendragon]

Soft words
whispered in the night
tender love
loving care
pride and joy light up her eyes
new mother and child

Pendragon
(C) 12/27/2012

For my lovely daughter and new grandson, Logan!

[Dark Muse]

Snow


Placid snow
drifting quietly
through the night
arriving
as the killer in shadow
utterly unknown

[cacian]

skies above
high in clear blue light
drifting stars
scenic mars
the air fills up to stardom
briskly lifting life

[moonbird]

Butterfly
Tissue paper wings
She whispers
With perfumed
Breath, the secrets of her world
And what lies beyond.

[tailor STATELY]

Times up !

Will come back to render judgment asap.

Ta ! (short for tarradiddle),
tailor STATELY

[tailor STATELY]

YesNo.......................An interesting take on the eternities.

Pendragon...................A very tender poem. Perhaps "softest words" to fit the meter in L1. Congratulations re: your new grandson.

Dark Muse...................Snow as a malevolent force. Reminds me of James Kim and his misadventure; and others more recent.

cacian......................"drifting stars/scenic mars" tickled me.

moonbird...................."She whispers/With perfumed Breath"; pheramones and their role in the butterfly's world of mystery. Delightful.


And the winner is...
moonbird !!!

Congratulations all !

Ta ! (short for tarradiddle),
tailor STATELY

[cacian]

moonbird congratulations and tailor STATELY thank you :)

[Dark Muse]

Congrats Moonbird!

[cacian]

This is due for renewal anyone?!!

[Pendragon]

OK Cacian, I'll restart it Wonder what happened to Moonbird? It's been a month?

Let's use the term "I Believe" for a Petrarchan sonnet form poem. Examples here: http://www.world-class-poetry.com/Petrarchan-Sonnet.html
Cut off Date March 17

[YesNo]

Though intellectually I suppose
The reasons we might give would be complete
And cogent having premises that meet
The tests for truth our common sense still knows,
The mind is weak as waywardly it goes
And leads us to its ends, both false and sweet,
Confusing us when we thought we would greet
The Source that all life hides and also shows.

It's not the mind, but rather it's the heart
Convincing through compassion filled with play
Till even a sharp mind grows true and strong.
It's not the mind that made the spirit start
The melting with the Lord that blessed day
When love's forgiveness transformed every wrong.

[tailor STATELY]

I've had this idea for some time but never settled on a format until now.

Prologue -

KJV Judges 9:8-15:

8 "The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.
9 But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?
10 And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us.
11 But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?
12 Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us.
13 And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?
14 Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us.
15 And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon."

The Poem -

{ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petrarchan_sonnet meter: ABBAABBA followed by "...in Italian sonnets in English... c d d c e e and c d c d e e are also used."}




A New King
Preparations for a new king were made
For rulers should never be unrighteous
As the bramble was wont; nor covetous
Like unto the vine, fig, and olive bade
But whom amongst all the kingdom is staid ?
All bowed heads as if the wind boisterous
Solemn in prayer, to Him, of Holiness
Prepared hearts to what the Spirit conveyed

Whereby a willow wizened much in years
Whose time was spent wholly upon God's course
Was chosen o'er all; all rejoiced with tears
Celebrating; quaffing from Shiloh's source
Unto the Lord become they consecrate
Their covenants, ye, ever consummate

3/14/2013

Epilogue -

King David seeks to battle the Philistines again:

2 Samuel 5:23-25:

23 "And when David inquired of the Lord, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.
24 And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the Lord go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.
25 And David did so, as the Lord had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer."

Absalom, King David's son, seeks to battle against David for the Kingdom:

2 Samuel 18:6-10, 14-17, 33

6 "So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim;
7 Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men.
8 For the battle was there scattered over the face of all the country: and the wood devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.
9 And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away.
10 And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak."
...
14 "Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.
15 And ten young men that bare Joab’s armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him.
16 And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people.
17 And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones upon him: and all Israel fled every one to his tent.
...
33 And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!"

2 Samuel 23: 1-5:

1 "Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,
2 The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.
3 The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.
4 And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.
5 Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow."


Ta ! (short for tarradiddle),
tailor STATELY

[Pendragon]

Taking both poems into consideration, you're up, YesNo! And Tailor, nice sonnet! Winner is YesNo!

[YesNo]

Thanks, Pendragon! The next form will be a limerick.

Deadline: April 14th, a month from now.

Here's a link for examples: http://www.webexhibits.org/poetry/explore_famous_limerick_examples.html

[Melanie]

My Bawdy Limerick ^_^

A virgin to limericks was Mel
She wanted to try one, don't tell
She unbuttoned her wit
Bared her unholy writ
Now her limerick's exposed, oh well

[Pendragon]

When a fellow like me gets the blues
I like to go to bed and just snooze
Some say "Get your tail out of there
But they had better beware
Of the language I can use if I choose!

[YesNo]

It is time to judge this contest!

Melanie: I liked the part about unbuttoning your wit.

Pendragon: I liked the part about the kind of language one could be subjected to.

They are both good and funny which is what really counts. I will call you both winners, but assign to Melanie the task to come up with the next form.

Congratulations, Melanie!

[Melanie]

Thank you YesNo!!...that was so much fun to do. I have to do some homework and then I'll return asap with a new form....be right back!

[Melanie]

Your next poetry form is...

Triolet
A poetic form consisting of only 8 lines. Within a Triolet, the 1st, 4th, and 7th lines repeat, and the 2nd and 8th lines do as well. The rhyme scheme is simple: ABaAabAB, capital letters representing the repeated lines.

DEADLINE: May 7

Two Examples:

In Mourning Black
In response to "All in Green" by e.e. cummings

Fair maid, clad all in mourning black
Rides off upon her golden steed.
A mocking gesture: heart she lack'd.
Fair maid, clad all in mourning black,
Sheds not a tear and turns her back
With no regrets for wicked deeds.
Fair maid, clad all in mourning black,
Rides off upon her golden steed.

Copyright © 2003 Dendrobia


Mourning Twilight
In response triolet to James Joyce "She Weeps Over Rahoon"

Embrace twilight and bid farewell
to passion's warmth and sweet caress.
A grave's prepared where she will dwell
embrace twilight and bid farewell.
O hear the mourning of her bell
that tolls for sorrows you supress
embrace twilight and bid farewell
to passion's warmth and sweet caress.

Copyright © 2003 Mary Ellen Clark

[Pendragon]

For Boston

Fret thee not when evil prevails
When terror reigns and the Nation mourns
A Greater power in our heart dwells
Fret thee not when evil prevails
In our darkest hours love and patriotism avails
The graces that the terrorists hold in scorn
Fret thee not when evil prevails
When terror reigns and the Nation mourns...

Pendragon
(C) 4/17/2013

[YesNo]

They painted him with Maya blue
Then tore from him his beating heart.
Blue waters work on red blood, too.
They painted him with Maya blue.
Chaac's fury lets the rains renew
The greens of life through deadly art.
They painted him with Maya blue
Then tore from him his beating heart.

[Dark Muse]

Night Child

Night child whisper in my ear
sing the stars down from the sky,
while the world sleeps there is nothing to fear,
night child whisper in my ear
take my hand and lead me away from here
awaken the dreamer's eye,
night child whisper in my ear
sing the stars down from the sky

[Grit]

Night Child

Night child whisper in my ear
sing the stars down from the sky,
while the world sleeps there is nothing to fear,
night child whisper in my ear
take my hand and lead me away from here
awaken the dreamer's eye,
night child whisper in my ear
sing the stars down from the sky

I really like this. Very cool.

[Melanie]

Just a reminder that your Triolets for the Form Poetry Contest are due May 7th :seeya:

[Adolescent09]

Your next poetry form is...

Triolet
A poetic form consisting of only 8 lines. Within a Triolet, the 1st, 4th, and 7th lines repeat, and the 2nd and 8th lines do as well. The rhyme scheme is simple: ABaAabAB, capital letters representing the repeated lines.

DEADLINE: May 7

Two Examples:

In Mourning Black
In response to "All in Green" by e.e. cummings

Fair maid, clad all in mourning black
Rides off upon her golden steed.
A mocking gesture: heart she lack'd.
Fair maid, clad all in mourning black,
Sheds not a tear and turns her back
With no regrets for wicked deeds.
Fair maid, clad all in mourning black,
Rides off upon her golden steed.

Copyright © 2003 Dendrobia


Mourning Twilight
In response triolet to James Joyce "She Weeps Over Rahoon"

Embrace twilight and bid farewell
to passion's warmth and sweet caress.
A grave's prepared where she will dwell
embrace twilight and bid farewell.
O hear the mourning of her bell
that tolls for sorrows you supress
embrace twilight and bid farewell
to passion's warmth and sweet caress.

Copyright © 2003 Mary Ellen Clark

My skills are lacking when it comes to typing poetry that requires a strict form/rhyming scheme. I'll try my best though.

The Masturbator
by Adol09

I, a mere vessel of pure-rought flesh,
trick'd by wind to greet sin's shore,
Fear was the grain I strived to thresh
I, a mere vessel of pure-rought flesh
My soul rusted from iron mesh,
My youth, now a remnant of lore
I, a mere vessel of pure-rought flesh,
trick'd by wind to greet sin's shore

[Melanie]

Today is the last day for your Triolet Poem entries (5/7). The contest will close at midnight and the winner announced tomorrow (5/8).

[Grit]

The Great Destroyer

Oh, craft of spirit, form of brain
Your infernal hands, they tremble.
Oh, many a village burnt and slain
Oh, craft of spirit, form of brain
Your miracles bring only pain,
our lost, your soldiers resemble.
Oh, craft of spirit, form of brain
Your infernal hands, they tremble.

[Melanie]

Congratulations to EVERYONE for successfully using the Triolet form of poetry with apparent ease! I was particularly impressed with how everyone crafted their first two lines in such a skillful way as to be able to enjoy it's repetition throughout the poem.

Pendragon...The sensitivity with which you treated an emotional subject, and the encouragement you offered makes this poem special to me. I thought your first two lines were well penned and flowed effectively from beginning, middle, and end.

YesNo...I love a poem that challenges my intellect. I'm aware of some Mayan facts but I had to research this "deadly art". As harsh and uncomfortable as it was to read of the red blood of human sacrifice and the odd practice of painting the body, it was equally intriguing to read about the beautifully intense color of Maya Blue that you so skillfully contrasted to the red color in your poem. As an art lover, I was awed by the hue of Maya Blue. Very well done.

Dark Muse...This is so tender that it reads like a soothing lullaby. It's such a lovely poem.

Adolescent09...Yes, I do like an unexpected element in a poem and you certainly delivered! After picking my jaw up off the floor (i'm no spring chicken you know), I must say that I always enjoy your originality and poetic delivery. Oh, and your unabashed honesty in this one.

Grit...You have added so much to this contest...I'm glad you made it in time! I really like your second line and it makes a powerful repeated line at the end. Very effective.

Congratulations to Pendragon!

[Pendragon]

Thanks, Melanie

Someone on this forum once did me the honor of calling me "The King of the Villanelle" So we will go with that form for this contest. As a reminder of the form, here is one of mine:

POE

The waves wash upon some forgotten shore,
The wind sighs softly among the gnarled trees.
Somewhere a dark bird croaks “Nevermore,”

From his perch upon a bust of Pallas above the chamber door.
The dark clouds split and the heavens bleed.
The waves wash upon some forgotten shore,

As a wild-eyed man searches for his lost Lenore,
Calling out; desperately expressing his needs!
Somewhere a dark bird croaks “Nevermore,”

In tones of Doom as the man implores
The Unforgiving Heavens to return his dreams.
The waves wash upon some forgotten shore,

The beach where she’d played in the days of yore—
He turns to the bottle, trying to drown his needs.
Somewhere a dark bird croaks “Nevermore,”

And the echoes echo the name “Lenore…”
He traces her name on the tombstone as he reads.
The waves wash upon some forgotten shore,
And somewhere a dark bird croaks “Nevermore.”

© 10/6/97 D L Harris

Due date end of May. Good luck as always, and God Bless

Pen

[YesNo]

Right now he can't remember why he's here,
So should he go along or should he stray?
Did someone drop him off? Are they still near?

Is there some ancient monster he should fear?
Was there a hidden debt he couldn't slay?
Right now he can't remember why he's here.

What are these stories telling him that we're
Entangled in enchanted disarray?
Did someone drop him off? Are they still near?

What is the date? He can't recall the year
When everything made sense enough to pray.
Right now he can't remember why he's here.

He climbs above the clouds so he can peer
Below and search--for what? He can't recall today.
Did someone drop him off? Are they still near?

Perhaps upon this mountain there's a seer
Who has a map that illustrates the way.
Right now he can't remember why he's here.
Did someone drop him off? Are they still near?

[Dark Muse]

Your Storm Gray Love

I become lost in your shades of gray,
eyes like the storm of the rapture in my heart,
hold me fast before I can drift away.

How can I ask you to forever stay?
wandering the shoals with fear you may depart,
I become lost in your shades of gray.

Night begins to close heralding the day
and I am left pierced at the end of your dart,
hold me fast before I can drift away.

Through the fog have we found our way?
Are there words enough that my love I may impart?
I become lost in your shades of gray.

How lovely on your face the shadows play,
in this soft light there must be a place to restart,
hold me fast before I can drift away.

May the waters bring you back without delay,
washed upon my shore never will I let you break apart,
I become lost in your shades of gray,
hold me fast before I can drift away.

[Pendragon]

Anymore entries? I will give you until Wednesday! Then, announce a winner.

[Pendragon]

Ah, Darkmuse, you just edged out Yesno by a fraction. Both wonderful poems, congrats to you both! DarkMuse, you're up!

[Dark Muse]

Oh, thank you, I will have the new form shortly

[Dark Muse]

Ok next form is Rondelet

The Rondelet is a French form consisting of a single septet with two rhymes and one refrain: AbAabbA. The capital letters are the refrains, or repeats. The refrain is written in tetra-syllabic or dimeter and the other lines are twice as long - octasyllabic or tetrameter.

Examples can be found here: http://www.shadowpoetry.com/resources/wip/rondelet.html

Tentative deadline is June 25

[YesNo]

Spring has gone.
High summer drowns the fresh spring air.
Spring has gone
And my love, too, has long moved on.
Where did she go? Who knows? Somewhere.
Since she's no longer smiling there
Spring has gone.

[Pendragon]

A Quiet Ride In the Country

Along the back-roads
Scenic routes are always lovely
Along the back-roads
Friendship blooms and love always grows
Friendly faces, lovely places, serenity
No city crowds, no voices loud, just peace
Along the back-roads

(C) Pendragon 6/7/2013

[Melanie]

A Rondelet of Patterns

Patterns are healing
To know sunshine will follow rain
Patterns are healing
While a peaceful snowflake allures
Seasons assure no frost remains
Nature's balance man must sustain
Patterns are healing

[Dark Muse]

Today was the appointed deadline but being as there are only three entires, very good ones thought they are, I will extend the time to see if we can get a few more. So if you haven't had a chance to enter yet, you now have until July 1st to do so.

[Dark Muse]

Thank you all who have entered. All three were great entries and made choosing quite difficult.

Pendragon: I love the atmosphere you created with your poem. This painted a lovely and vivid picture in the mind and felt very serene indeed. It invoked some great imagery.

Melanie: This was a beautiful poem about the changing of the seasons. I particularly enjoyed the line "While a peaceful snowflake allures" I also thought your refrain "patterns of healing" was quite a lovely sentiment.

But the winner is

YesNo:

I felt that your poem most seamlessly integrated the refrain, and really made it flow quite well. I also enjoyed the story you told with your poem. The connection between the loss of spring with the loss of a lover.

[Melanie]

YesYesYes to YesNo! Nicely done.

[YesNo]

Thank you, Dark Muse. And thank you for the compliment, Melanie. I enjoyed reading all the other entries.


The next form is blank verse.

This has 10 syllables per line with 5 of the syllables accented. The lines are not rhymed. Usually the pattern of the 10 syllables is iambic, that is, one syllable is unstressed and the next is stressed. Any number of lines is fine.


Deadline: Saturday evening, July 27th.

[Melanie]

I'm sorry but I had to delete this because I'm entering it into a cash-prize contest that requires no previous publishing.
I'll try to come up with a replacement in time.

[Pendragon]

Eeek. Iambic Pentameter... Not my cup of tea. Sorry!

[Melanie]

Eeek. Iambic Pentameter... Not my cup of tea. Sorry!
Give it a go, Pendragon. It's easy if you just tell a story using 10 syllables per line and don't worry about the iambic pentameter until you're all finished. Then read it back, out loud, to the rhythm of a heartbeat: daDUH daDUH daDUH daDUH daDUH. Make sure you don't go DUHda DUHda DUHda DUHda DUHda because that won't work. It probably won't be out of rhythm, but if it is in a few spots, it's an easy fix. That worked for me.

[YesNo]

No problem. Melanie. Good luck on the contest! I look at these Lit Net contests as an opportunity to practice with different subjects and styles.

That sounds like a good technique for iambic pentameter that doesn't have end-rhymes. The meter differentiates it from prose.

[Melanie]

Thank you. I like these Lit Net contests because they get me going. They provide the inspirational subject or picture or form, etc, and then I can take off with it. Otherwise, I'm too overwhelmed with all the things I could write about and then never pick just one because I can't decide. It's quite a challenge here sometimes...like when the subject is "broom" :D

[YesNo]

This is supposed to be due today, but there aren't any entries. So I'll extend it two more weeks to August 10.

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

I'll give this a shot.

[prendrelemick]

I started one - it was really bad.

eg

I wish I was the one who caused those tears,
Within my power would then their staunching be,

[Pendragon]

Sooooooooooo...

Do we need a restart, here? YesNo you may choose another form, or I can start us over again. Let me know.

Pen:confused5::confused5::confused5:

[YesNo]

I guess the time is up again. You are welcome to provide a new form, Pendragon.

[Pendragon]

Thank you, Yesno

This form is song poetry, with rhyme in the middle of every odd line, with end rhyme on the even lines. The example is from Rudyard Kipling:

Nightsong in the Jungle

Now Chil the Kite brings home the night
That Mang the Bat sets free--
The herds are shut in byre and hut,
For loosed till dawn are we.
This is the hour of pride and power,
Talon and tusk and claw.
Oh, hear the call!--Good hunting all
That keep the Jungle Law!

End of August deadline. Good hunting all!

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

I'll give this a shot.


I guess the time is up again. You are welcome to provide a new form, Pendragon.

Sorry YesNo, I actually had one in the works for your previous challenge with only the first stanza drafted.
I'll continue to chip away at it for future use.
In the meantime, let's carry on with Pendragon's challenge...

[YesNo]

That's OK. I prefer the form Pendragon presented since there's a lot of rhyme in it anyway.

[Dark Muse]

The Cullling Song

Come what may, the fading light ends the day,
now I begin to sing my culling song, take care,
close your eyes beneath gentle night skies
give yourself over to my sweet lullaby, but beware,
no need to weep while I sing you into eternal sleep,
tenderly the culling song will lure you into the grave,
now you have heard the power of my word,
and in return freedom from this life I gave.

[YesNo]

True Gods are good, do what they should,
And guide us through the day.
The climb was hard, but yard by yard,
I got there anyway.

The cave was dry, the mountain high.
The atmosphere was thin.
The rent was cheap. I lost some sleep.
At last, I could begin.

And so I sat, observing that
The present felt the same
Up here as there, most anywhere.
The place was not to blame.

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

Fragments of a Mind Consumed With Work 1

3000 is the PSI most common to specify
for concrete under your feet.
Lime stabilize the soil cut loose the coil,
that binds the steel so neat.
No. 3s to reinforce, 18 inches apart of course,
will hold Portland’s matrix together.
Form boards are true now direct the flue,
pour to the top of the ledger.

[Pendragon]

End of August, end of Contest

DarkMuse: Death as writer of the poem! Priceless!

YesNo: A mystic journey that discovers that it's the same everywhere! Love it!

GG: Building with concrete! Alright!

One winner, shall I go eny, meny, miny, mo? Hummmmmmm...

YesNo, you have the floor. Congratulations! :wave:

[YesNo]

Thanks, Pendragon!

The next form is


Triolet

Here is a link to Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triolet Some of the references cited there provide other examples.

Deadline: September 22, about three weeks from now.

[cacian]

YesNo congratulations.
I am not good with form poems and so I avoid them all together but I will try a triolet because it looks easier. I think :)

[YesNo]

It might be easier, cacian. There are also a lot of repeated lines. I'm looking forward to what you come up with.

[Pendragon]

Escape From Alcatraz

Across the water lay their freedom
Life in Alcatraz rotted body and soul
They had to risk all from desperation
Across the water—lay their Freedom!
Could they defy the odds to come?
In darkest night, in bitter cold—
Across the water lay—their freedom!
Life in Alcatraz rotted body and soul…

Pendragon
©9/2/2013

Note: On the night of June 11, 1962, Frank Lee Morris, John William Anglin, and Anglin’s brother Clarence made their escape from Alcatraz by cutting through the wall vents into a maintenance area, crossing the roof, and setting out to sea in a boat made from raincoats they inflated at the shore. They are supposed dead in the freezing water, but Mythbusters proved they could have made good on their escape!

[Dark Muse]

Desolation

Watching your shadow ebb away
blood rains fall without remorse
and I would beg you to stay
watching your shadow ebb away
I know night has swallowed day
earth shudders with thunderous force
watching your shadow ebb away
blood rains fall without remorse

[Nick Capozzoli]

I may try to submit a Triolet, but while researching this form I came across a poem by Robert Bridges:

When first we met, we did not guess
That Love would prove so hard a master;
Of more than common friendliness
When first we met we did not guess.
Who could foretell the sore distress,
This irretrievable disaster,
When first we met?—We did not guess
That Love would prove so hard a master.

Not only is this a fine poem, but I could not help noticing
that it may have been a source for Elizabeth Bishop's One Art.

[cacian]

when you speak of love it's glow
the words astound, musically sound
a promise comes across a woe
when you speak of love it's glow
your voice becomes a certain low
slowest is wound
when you speak of love it's glow
your words astound musically sound

P.S thank you YesNo for the encouragement. :)

[YesNo]

I knew you could do it, cacian! Thanks for the entry.

I'm looking forward to reading your triolet as well, Nick.

I've enjoyed all the entries so far. There is a little over 2 weeks left to enter.

[Melanie]

Beach Beauties

history's mysteries answered
in microscopic grains of sand
biologic & geologic standards
history's mysteries answered
like a kaleidoscope fractured
of texture, color, and pattern
history's mysteries answered
in microscopic grains of sand

http://i1312.photobucket.com/albums/t540/melaniespoetry/9575_01_zps4e0ba87b.jpg (http://s1312.photobucket.com/user/melaniespoetry/media/9575_01_zps4e0ba87b.jpg.html)
Credits: Photo taken under a Edge3D
microscope ~ by Dr. Gary Greenberg

[YesNo]

Time is up! Thank you for all the contributions.

Pendragon: I wouldn't want to be in Alcatraz either.

Dark Muse: Describing someone leaving by referring to their shadows ebbing and night swallowing day was nice. I liked "blood rains".

cacian: The line about a promise coming across a woe impressed me.

Melanie: That was a beautiful arrangement for the poem with the rhyming sound of "history's mysteries" repeating itself.

Looking forward to your contributions, Nick Capozzoli. That was good trioloet by Bridges.

I find triolets hard to write, but I enjoy reading them.



The winner is cacian.

I enjoyed the combination of "promise" and "woe".

[cacian]

thank you very much YesNo I was not expecting that haha :)
ok will be back with a new form soonish.

ok guys here is the next challenge:

write an acrostic poem:
An acrostic poem could be about anything. An acrostic is a poem or other form of writing in which the first letter, syllable or word of each line, paragraph or other recurring feature in the text spells out a word or a message. Each line is aligned vertically to form one word.

here is an example:

An acrostic poem
Can be about anything
Really
Of course some people like to
Start each line with a sentence
Though
I prefer weaving words into a
Creation that is more freeform

good luck and
due date: 7th of October. about two weeks time.

[Pendragon]

Hero Pulp Magazines 1933-1949

Down from his eyrie on Empire State Building’s 86th floor
Onto the world’s stage he strode like a God
Criminals and evildoers beware—

Somebody is watching, and somebody’s going down today
After all is said and done you’ll find that crime just doesn’t pay
Vengeance is his for all those who the law cannot protect
Assurances of assistance for those in the throes of death
Going head to head with bad men, monsters, and science gone savage
Evil cannot stand before the Man of Bronze—Doc Savage!

Pendragon
9/23/2013

[Dark Muse]

Obsession

Opal memories color my mind in a dream that does not fade,
behind every truth a lie, if only you knew it is all to preserve you,
starry nights in your eyes leave me breathless and senseless,
embers in my soul, it only takes a word from your lips to ignite,
sanguine passions infiltrate my reason leaving me in desperation,
saffron hearts smolder like wildfires which cannot be contained,
indigo love plunges with raging force beyond the ocean depths,
obliterated by your every touch, abandoned in you every motion,
nocturne sonatas murmur within your slumbering ear while I watch.

[cacian]

anymore entrants? only TWO so far :)

[cacian]

OK I must deliberate and I think the piece that got my attention the most is
Dark Muse !!

the following lines are impressive I am fond of Saffron and indigo :)
''saffron hearts smolder like wildfires which cannot be contained,
indigo love plunges with raging force beyond the ocean depths,''

Pendragon: DOC SAVAGE was a lot fun to read too :)
''Going head to head with bad men, monsters, and science gone savage''
is a cracker of a line!!!

so Dark Muse over to you.

[Dark Muse]

Thank you, I will think up a good new form soon.

[Melanie]

quoted below

[cacian]

phew, good thing I didn't I didn't spend much time on mine
which pales in comparison too, btw :).
Congrats Dark Muse!
Yours was awesome too, pendragon.
That was quick...one week and 3 days!

I've sometimes wondered if it would liven things up
a bit to shorten the deadlines so I'm not complaining.
It was a good form you picked too, cacian. :thumbsup:

oh no!!!!!!!! so sorry I completely misjudged it I thought it was the 30 th the deadline!!!!! oh my I am really sorry my fault.:blush:
Melanie please accept my apologies. :blush5:

[Melanie]

No apology needed, I was actually relieved that I didn't need to work on mine anymore tsk tsk. I'm just grateful you post deadlines because sometimes people don't or forget which makes it difficult to calculate how much time you have to work on it.

[Dark Muse]

Your next form is Quinzaine.

It is a three line poem of 15 syllables.

7 syllables in the first line
5 in the second line and
3 in the last line.

The first line is a statement and the next two lines ask a question relating to the statement.

Deadline Oct. 20

[Pendragon]

Serenity is desired
What should we do then?
Stay or Run?

Pendragon

[Melanie]

Quinzaine

I loved it in the morning
and the afternoon.

Your cute smile.

[cacian]

love is all you need. so deep.
would you keep it still?
does it keep?

[Pendragon]

Ummm, BUMP?

[Dark Muse]

Thank you all for your great entires

Pendragon: I really like how thought provoking and philosophical this short poem was. I really enjoyed how the last line was a bit cryptic.

Melanie: A very touching and hart warming poem, but it did not completely follow the rules of the form.


And the winner is....

cacian: I really enjoyed this one, I think that it conveyed a lot of emotion. I also think it touches upon truth.

[cacian]

thank you very much Dark Muse.
I shall post a new form very shortly :)

[cacian]

ok guys here it is:

Pleiades
7 line poem. 1 word title. Each line of the poem starts with a word with the first letter of the title. So if the title of the poem was 'Sun' then all the lines would start with 'S'.

please write a pleaides and post it here.
due date: 3rd of November.

[Pendragon]

Structure

Slightly askew
Slightly off center
Staggered and misaligned
Somehow it still balances
Somehow it defies the odds
Sheltering our feelings
Sealing our heart...

Pendragon
10/24/2013

[YesNo]

People like the number seven,
Pretty odd though small enough,
Plentiful, like big eleven,
Pure of heart though often tough,
Popular in many ways,
Pleasant on most rainy days,
Plain and shy and rarely rough.

[cacian]

Ok time's up. only two entries. never mind ;)
Pendragon i enjoyed structure so much truth in one tidy piece .

and the winner is
YesNo I enjoyed the simplicity of the piece. it reads happily to me :)

[YesNo]

Thanks, cacian!

The next form is a limerick.

Deadline: November 24th, three weeks.

[YesNo]

Just a bump. Looking for some limericks.

Let's see if I can write a deep one to get people started.

There once was a monster named Moe
Who wrote a sweet limerick, though
It didn't quite rhyme,
Didn't bounce well in time,
But who cares? He's a monster named Moe.

[cacian]

Just a bump. Looking for some limericks.

Let's see if I can write a deep one to get people started.

There once was a monster named Moe
Who wrote a sweet limerick, though
It didn't quite rhyme,
Didn't bounce well in time,
But who cares? He's a monster named Moe.

hi YesNo this is a cool limerick indeed.
i am not good at limericks and never have. i do not understand them however i will post one even though it may be not right. :)
is there a numbering of syllables in each line?

[cacian]

here is mine if it is incorrect please do let me know and i will write it again. thank you YesNo.

there was once a little lady
who liked to move ever so slightly
from right to left
she was so quietly
not once anyone noticed her partly.

[virtuoso]

Dark Muse, I really like your poem Obsession. It is a colorful montage of love is wrapped in a dark shroud. I love how you artfully describe the emotive strains of love turning into an uncontrollable passion.

[YesNo]

hi YesNo this is a cool limerick indeed.
i am not good at limericks and never have. i do not understand them however i will post one even though it may be not right. :)
is there a numbering of syllables in each line?

Thanks for the entry, cacian! Your entry is right enough for my standards.

As far as the form goes, it has five lines with one end rhyme on the 1st, 2nd and 5th lines and with a different end rhyme on the 3rd and 4th lines. I can't remember the name of the meter, but each "foot" has two unaccented syllables followed by an accented one. There are 3 feet in the 1st, 2nd and 5th lines and two feet in the 3rd and 4th lines.

[YesNo]

It is November 24th and the deadline has been reached.

The winner is cacian!

Congratulations!

[Melanie]

WTG, cacian! I'm so impressed that this was your first limerick, stepped out of your comfort zone, gave it all you had, and came out a winner!! Good poem!

[cacian]

YesNo thank you and Melanie thank you too trying is what it is all about I guess haha ;)
I will think up a new form coming soon.

Ok : a haiku
topic: love.
good luck
and deadline is in a week and a half.
the 5/12/13.
good luck!! :seeya:

[YesNo]

Wondering because
what was once comes round again:
sun-lit moon above.

[Dark Muse]

The Ocean Meets the Horizon

The ocean's soul rose
embraced by the horizon
two hearts become one.

[Pendragon]

The panic is rising
My heart flies and my pulse pounds
No sleep for tonight

[cacian]

great so far please keep them coming love is in the air !! :)

[cacian]

this is well overdue sorry guys and the winner is....

YesNo simply well put an enjoyable and compact piece ;)
thanks to all the other entries :)

[YesNo]

Thanks, cacian!

The next form is a Shakespearean sonnet.


Deadline: December 25th

[EvoWarrior5]

Shakespearean sonnet ey? Seems like I viewed this thread at the right time. Since that is about one of the only forms of poetry I am familiar with I'd say this is a good timing for me to join in on this contest!

[YesNo]

Looking forward to reading your sonnet, EvoWarrior5!

[Pendragon]

deleted

[EvoWarrior5]

I Open at the Close (Harry Potter references, yay)

If death is free and life but captivates us
then what is our purpose in this place?
If there is nothing that could motivate us
then what could bring a smile to our face?

The thought that all we live for is to die
makes any man fall down onto his knees.
But at the end I will not kneel or cry
for there’s one thought that makes me feel at ease:

If life serves merely as a preparation
to death, then just what do we have to fear?
If death is really just my liberation
I gladly wait until my death is here.

When death arrives I’ll greet him as a friend.
I’ll wait with patience ‘till my life’s at end.

[YesNo]

The deadline is long past.

It looks like the only entry was from EvoWarrior5. But that was a very metrical entry and fit all the constraints for such a sonnet that I'm aware of. I also liked the idea of life "captivating" us.

Congratulations, EvoWarrior5!

[EvoWarrior5]

Thank you, YesNo.

I must admit that I am not very experienced with different forms of poetry, and I do not want to pick one that would require too much effort or time on your part; I want to encourage some people to compete.

I looked back a few pages for some ideas and this form given by Dark Muse seemed very interesting and not too difficult:


Your next form is Quinzaine.

It is a three line poem of 15 syllables.

7 syllables in the first line
5 in the second line and
3 in the last line.

The first line is a statement and the next two lines ask a question relating to the statement.

If you do not mind I will give you this form as well then! To give a bit of originality to it on my part though, the topic will be anything related to sound (music, singing, noises, etc.).

Deadline is the 20th of January. Good luck everybody!

Evo

[YesNo]

Morbid brooding, feeling glum.
Where is that singing
Coming from?

[Pendragon]

People should mind their business
Watch themselves, not others--
What say you?

[cacian]

Oops sound of course 'sound'. here is two if I may :)

the sound of music and light
together they string
flashback fast

tick tock the clock rock a mock
to a background broke
it's a prox

[EvoWarrior5]

Remember guys, the topic has to be related to sound or music!

[barbara0207]

The three Magi at my door
Why are they singing
so coyly?

[Dark Muse]

The Harpist

I watch your fingers dancing,
on harp or heart strings?
Will you play?

[miyako73]

Ensemble

I listen to leaves and rain.
Is it melody?
Or silence?

[EvoWarrior5]

Oops sound of course 'sound'. here is two if I may :)

the sound of music and light
together they string
flashback fast

tick tock the clock rock a mock
to a background broke
it's a prox

I admire that you wrote two, but I have to ask which one of the two do you want to count for the contest? I do not think two entries is fair towards the rest.

[cacian]

I admire that you wrote two, but I have to ask which one of the two do you want to count for the contest? I do not think two entries is fair towards the rest.

sure go for the second one :)

[cacian]

bump :)

[PeterL]

bump :)

grind ;)

[cacian]

grind ;)

indeed!

[EvoWarrior5]

Whoops, I'd forgotten.

I am glad that there were a couple more entries, exactly what I was aiming for!

Pendragon, unfortunately your poem did not conform to the topic of sound. It was quite a good piece, but I cannot grade it for the contest.

YesNo, your work was pretty much what I expected beforehand. It's catchy and well composed. Good job!

Cacian, a fast and catchy piece. It sounds nice although the meaning is unclear. That also adds to the mystery.

Barbara, good piece; sounds quite eerie.

Dark Muse, I like how you spoke to somebody else in your poem. The only one of the contestants who did it this way. Nicely done.

Miyako, I find the question that you ask.. striking. A bit hard to try to answer, as well.


Well wow, I find it hard to declare a winner from these.. They are all unique in their own way. I'm going to give this one to YesNo, because I like the wording and the feel to it. I would call Miyako a close second because your question was the most striking.

Well done everyone!

[cacian]

Evo thanks!! and YesNo well done :)

[YesNo]

Thank you, EvoWarrior5! And thanks, cacian!

The next form I've never tried. It is called a Cinqku, but there was a whole thread on it that Paulclem started so there are plenty of examples here: http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?77004-A-Daily-Challenge-for-December

Deadline: February 14th, Valentine's Day

[Pendragon]

i missed that requirement, Evo. I need to learn to finish reading instructions! Thanks anyway. :)

[cacian]

i missed that requirement, Evo. I need to learn to finish reading instructions! Thanks anyway. :)

don't we all :D

[YesNo]

It looks like I will have to extend this a couple weeks. I'm willing to change the form. Any suggestions?

New deadline is the end of February.

[Pendragon]

I will nae
hae mair to do
w'these contests
they hae
gane sour...

Pen

[cacian]

valent
short for love
red roses or
dinner date under faith
spoilt

[cacian]

I will nae
hae mair to do
w'these contests
they hae
gane sour...

Pen

Pendragon where is your cinqku?

[PeterL]

How does one enter this contest? Just post the entry?


Lustful
Sans woman
With cacao
And bed ready for her
Hopeful

[YesNo]

Thanks for all the entries so far! More! More!

All you need to do, PeterL, is just to post it as you have done. If you win, then you get to select the next form and do the judging for the next round.

[Dark Muse]

Your voice
so distant
silence keeps me
there comes a whisper in
my ear

[Pendragon]

Pendragon where is your cinqku?

That's it.

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

Sub Urbane No. 5

Crafty
squirrels get past
barriers, robbing seeds
for feathered friends. A new approach;
shotgun.

(24682)

[YesNo]

I think the time is up for this one. Thank you for all the contributions!

Pendragon: Nice accent. Sometimes these contests get a little slow. I use them as motivation to write something.

cacian: lovely valentine cinqku with a sense that something bad is going to happen.

PeterL: Another lovely valentine.

Dark Muse: Nice contrast between "silence" and "whisper".

Gilliatt Gurgle: I guess if the squirrel can't take a hint, one has to be more direct.

Again, they were all good. I am amazed that people can actually say something with this form, but they can.

I am left with wondering should it be cacian's valentine or Gilliat Gurgle's anti-valentine (at least toward squirrels) or Dark Muse's use of silence or PeterL's "sans woman" or Pendragon's accent.

Since Valentine's day is past, the winner is Gilliatt Gurgle.

Congratulations!

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

Thanks
I have to be honest, the valentines day theme completely slipped my mind as I gazed out the window only to find that one of those tree rats figured a way around the sheet metal barrier I had painstakingly fabricated.
The cinqku offered the perfect medium to express my anger and to you small varmint lovers, you can rest easy, the shotgun was not employed.
I suppose the theme could be twisted around to suit my rant.

Moving on... give me a moment and I'll have the next form.

[PeterL]

Thanks
I have to be honest, the valentines day theme completely slipped my mind as I gazed out the window only to find that one of those tree rats figured a way around the sheet metal barrier I had painstakingly fabricated.
The cinqku offered the perfect medium to express my anger and to you small varmint lovers, you can rest easy, the shotgun was not employed.
I suppose the theme could be twisted around to suit my rant.

Moving on... give me a moment and I'll have the next form.

So you expressed a suitable love for treerats. That is good.

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

So you expressed a suitable love for treerats. That is good.

Haha, yes.

My apologies for the delay.
After a brief search, I stumbled on Ottava Rima, a rhyming stanza originating from Italy.
8 lines, 11 syllables/ line using ABABABCC rhyming pattern.
Given the origins of the form let's make the subject Italy, anything Italian.
Dean Martin, the boot, leaning tower of pizza, St. Francis, Sophia Loren, Shakespeare's Italian heritage, Chianti, Italian renaissance,etc.
Deadline...let's shoot for end of March.

[PeterL]

For good or ill you are the only one for me.
I will be with you, even through Pluto’s realm.
Like Virgil, through the Cave at Cumae, yes for thee.
When you take ferry with Charon at the helm,
You won’t be stranded; the obol, Charon’s fee
I’ll put in place and bring a sack for those short.
We’ll do much more after we reach Pluto’s port.

[YesNo]

A driver back in Italy was thinking,
"Damn tourists!" Hey! Does he think that he's better?
He got so close I saw his mad eyes blinking.
With mountains north and southern water wetter
I hoped that my exhaust pipe's black and stinking.
A demon's darting through my head. Forget her:
We humans are capricious, jeering creatures,
Without Italian, mocking foreign features.

[Dark Muse]

Love in Italy

I still recall your smile in Roma's moonlight
Sweet Florence where I took your hand within mine
taste of your lips lingers on a Tuscan night
and the way Venice waters made your eyes shine,
Verona - passion flared, crescending delight
secret caresses in Naples while sipping wine
your scent beckons like perfume in Milan air
in Bologna our love is a whispered prayer.

[PeterL]

Haha, yes.

My apologies for the delay.
After a brief search, I stumbled on Ottava Rima, a rhyming stanza originating from Italy.
8 lines, 11 syllables/ line using ABABABCC rhyming pattern.
Given the origins of the form let's make the subject Italy, anything Italian.
Dean Martin, the boot, leaning tower of pizza, St. Francis, Sophia Loren, Shakespeare's Italian heritage, Chianti, Italian renaissance,etc.
Deadline...let's shoot for end of March.


The end of March has passed. Let us move along.

[Pendragon]

Don't know where GG is, and he isn't accepting private messages. Shall I declare a winner or would someone else like that job?

God Bless

Pen

[PeterL]

Don't know where GG is, and he isn't accepting private messages. Shall I declare a winner or would someone else like that job?

God Bless

Pen


Sure, why not? It may be best to move on.

[Pendragon]

Very well. Then I declare PeterL with his wonderful mixture of mondern and mythology to be winner. You're up, Pete!

[PeterL]

Very well. Then I declare PeterL with his wonderful mixture of mondern and mythology to be winner. You're up, Peter!

I'll have the next form up within twelve hours.

[PeterL]

The next form is Nonnet.
A Nonnet is a type of poem which has the following requirements:

It has nine lines
The first line has 9 syllables, the second 8 syllables, the third 7 syllables until the ninth line which has one syllable.
Has an iambic meter (stress every other syllable)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonnet
Have a merry time. The contest will end when April will end, at midnight on the 30th, and the winner will be announced at Noon on May Day.

[PeterL]

Come on. We need entries.

[YesNo]

The toddler with her Easter bonnet
did not want her auntie's arms, but
when her mother stood beside
her, there was no surprise.
Their bonds are stronger,
mother-infant,
To help the
young girl
rise.

[Pendragon]

Withdrawn

[PeterL]

Remember, you can't win if you don't enter.

[chevalierdelame]

Can I enter this contest by just posting my poem as I have done? I have also posted this poem on another thread. Is that ok by the rules of the contest? Thanks


A Confession

I crushed a flower in my hand to hide
it from those who would not understand
why I picked it up; to save
it from being trampled or
to touch it, as soft
as a girl’s throat,
as scarlet
as sin.
Why?

[PeterL]

Can I enter this contest by just posting my poem as I have done? I have also posted this poem on another thread. Is that ok by the rules of the contest? Thanks

Yes, that's the very thing. Welcome and thanks for entering.

[PeterL]

Don't forget. This contest will end a midnight tonight in my local time, and winner will get the news within twelve hours.

[PeterL]

I declare chevalierdelame the winner, because the poem seems to fit the form relatively well.

Chevalierdelame, it's your turn now.



Can I enter this contest by just posting my poem as I have done? I have also posted this poem on another thread. Is that ok by the rules of the contest? Thanks


A Confession

I crushed a flower in my hand to hide
it from those who would not understand
why I picked it up; to save
it from being trampled or
to touch it, as soft
as a girl’s throat,
as scarlet
as sin.
Why?

[chevalierdelame]

Thank you, PeterL.
The next form is the Rondelet.
The Rondelet is a brief French form of poetry. It consists of one stanza, made up of seven lines. This is the basic structure:
Line 1 :: A -- four syllables
Line 2 :: b -- eight syllables
Line 3 :: A -- repeat of line one
Line 4 :: a -- eight syllables
Line 5 :: b -- eight syllables
Line 6 :: b -- eight syllables
Line 7 :: A -- repeat of line one
The refrained lines should contain the same words, however - substitution or different use of punctuation on the lines is common.

The contest will end on 20th May and the winner will be announced within 24 hours.

[colb2]

I see no better way than the newcomer to kick it off!!


Which way to turn...
If the heart feels the need to yearn
Which way to turn...
If inside we can feel it burn
Is it enough cause for concern
Should that feeling ever return
Which way to turn?

[chevalierdelame]

Welcome and Thank you for entering, colb2.

[colb2]

You are welcome, may we enter more than one? That was a quick one that was thought of in the car.

[YesNo]

The setting sun
Is diving through the frozen bay.
The setting sun
Will splash the coming night in play
Through light and so departs the day.
Unconscious? Conscious, in its way,
The setting sun.

[chevalierdelame]

You are welcome, may we enter more than one? That was a quick one that was thought of in the car.

Sorry, I don't think you can. You can edit your poem if you feel like it. But I like it as it is.

[chevalierdelame]

Thanks for the entry, YesNo.

[chevalierdelame]

We need more entries, please. Try to do something with the punctuation of the repeated lines. That's interesting.

[chevalierdelame]

The contest will close in a week's time.