Picture Poetry Contest (...continued...) [Archive] - Page 3

schadenfreude

04-03-2008, 09:01 AM

A Piece of Cake

It’s a piece of cake, you say,
Your lips parting and lifting
At the corners.
But, what is a piece of cake?
I never really knew.
Is it a cupcake?
A delicate cloud of sweetness
Atop a butter mountain?
Or perhaps a lemon cake?
The moist texture concealing
an acidic flavour?
Or a muffin, yes, a muffin;
It’s delectable at first, quite marvelous
at least until the leaden weight
Sinks into the bottom of your stomach,
like a drowning ship.

And what would you do
with such a piece of cake?
Would you save it?
Wrap it carefully for the children
when they come home?
Would you freeze it?
Store it away from the dreadful clutches
of destructive Time?
Perhaps you’d kindly leave it
laying on the kitchen counter
until it turns green with age, and white;
Such a lovely white mould.
It’s a piece of cake, you say again
And I still know nothing, but can picture
Your small sharp teeth
Biting into soft flesh.

NickAdams

04-03-2008, 09:55 AM

Very erotic ampoule.

To all: I didn't think so much could be done with this image. I was lazy, but I am going to work on a poem myself.

ampoule

04-11-2008, 08:44 AM

Thank you NickAdams. That's exactly how I feel when I eat a cupcake. ;)

mazHur

04-12-2008, 08:03 PM

Hi All

It's nice to see a good many poet sending in their beautiful poems on the topic,,,,however, no one yet seems to have caught the idea in my mind behind the picture posted !! However, regardless of what's in my imagination the poets have so far very efficiently rendered their thoughts into a colorful bouquet of poesy . Shall we fix the closing date as Ist of next month? Please let me have your thoughts ,,,

best wishes
Maz

TheFifthElement

04-13-2008, 03:22 AM

Frost Me

Come to me now, my little cupcake,
Let me unwrap you, gently squeeze
That moist, sweet chiffon.
My mouth opens, my eyes close,
Your decoration is left upon my lips,
I lick them, smiling, wanting more.
Coming to my senses, I look around
To see if anyone is watching, but
All I see is a luscious, fluffy pyramid
Waiting to be claimed by me.

ampoule, March Thirtieth, TwoThousandEight

Amp, I love this. Naughtily delicious :)

symphony

04-15-2008, 08:50 PM

I'm not sure if I should be posting this, since it sounds to me very far-fetched. But having spent an afternoon in a house where they were weeping dirges for a dead relative, and then seeing this picture-- it inevitably reminded me of this poem by Wallace Stevens (http://plexipages.com/reflections/emperor.html). So this was what came up:

On The Emperor of Ice Cream

The only emperor is the emperor of ice cream.
- Wallace Stevens, The Emperor of Ice Cream

Concupiscent cups, if not the dreams we see,
do at least serve in our hours of honesty.
The empire still in us remains.
The emperor of ice cream with taut fists reigns.

Why, then, the needless masquerades,
if passion in passion is made and remade,
cups in cups held firm and free-
building up to heights of satiety?

Deaths never die, but won’t they fade
in such raw life? Won’t they be the narrowest shade
in arrays of sunshine on olive leaves?
The Faiths are balks in what a man truly believes.

And Causes: the divine by which we live to feign.
The emperors of ice cream with taut fists reign.

I hope i didnt spoil the jolly party. :(

AdoreroDio

04-16-2008, 12:34 AM

Question:

Has there been a due date set for this contest? (Just curious even though I've already entered)

symphony

04-16-2008, 12:52 AM

Shall we fix the closing date as Ist of next month? Please let me have your thoughts ,,,

There, I think that was all that has been said about the date here?

ampoule

04-17-2008, 08:26 AM

Amp, I love this. Naughtily delicious :)

Thank you, Fifth. I love being that way. ;)

Maz...I think waiting for the 1st of May is too long. I am so anxious to hear what your thoughts are on your picture.

symphony

04-17-2008, 09:24 AM

Maz...I think waiting for the 1st of May is too long. I am so anxious to hear what your thoughts are on your picture.
Yes though i dont stand a chance with all these great poems, i too am curious to see what you had in your mind. :) Plus i may not be around much from may (got some important exams coming on may 29th), so could we make it earlier?

symphony

05-04-2008, 01:33 AM

Hmmm....
bump!

mazHur

05-04-2008, 01:41 AM

Hi all

sorry, I couldnt keep pace with time as had not been keeping well during the last month (something went wrong with me suddenly and unexpectedly ,,healthwise !)

anyway, I thank you all for your kind patience , let us now fix the date as 15th May as need some grace time to go over all poems again and decide

thanks for your understanding and kindness

and , by the way, why's Symph having 'bumps' time and again? grown 18 up? lol

regards
Maz

symphony

05-04-2008, 01:54 AM

Thats because she's bouncy. Its not the 18, she was born that way they say. *nods gravely*

And are you alright now (healthwise)?

mazHur

05-04-2008, 02:12 AM

thanks a lot, Symphony, for your welfare thought,,,,am okay now but yet on steroids

I think every person is born innocent --he or she transforms into another personality according to susceptibility of his mind (and heart) with awareness (or ignorance)

cheers!

ampoule

05-04-2008, 06:54 AM

maz...I am sorry to hear you have been ill. I hope your recovery will be thorough and fast.

mazHur

05-05-2008, 02:42 AM

am grateful to you for your concern and your good wishes ,sweet Amp.
Am okay now ,,,just had some viral attack but have miraculously recovered 90 per cent and hope to be back in the ring shortly

sorry for holding up the contest result ,,,,will endeavor best to announce on 15th inst.

best wishes and fondest regards
maz

AdoreroDio

05-17-2008, 11:53 PM

*bump*

mazHur

05-18-2008, 12:29 PM

*bump*

Cheer up , friend ! try some of these sweet delights and swing !

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mazHur

05-18-2008, 01:04 PM

Hello All

This was in my mind when I chose the topic ,,,,,let's see how many of you were able to divert your imagination to this simple idea ,,,,if not let's hope
some other poets in the forum may like to shed their thoughts to poetically express it!

Quote:
""For Your Peanut

"Do you call your little one Cupcake, Peanut or Sweet Pea? Or do you like to sing "You Are My Sunshine" to him when he goes to sleep? ***_**sells organic cotton bib and burp sets ($24) embellished with these and other popular terms of endearment. Blankets, bodysuits and T-shirts are also available. Search the entire collection at ***_**.com."" ,,,from an Ad.

Know a mom who could use another bib and burp set? Forward this.

I'm sorry the deadline for the results have been left behind,,,,for one of the reasons already intimated to you herein earlier....I would like to have your views as to the next date with a grace of some more days ,,,,would 30 th May be okay for all ??

again am sorry for delayed results. Infact , all the entries are very very strong and brilliant and it really makes me ''shudder'' to decide one way or the other .
Anyway, there is always a best one .....like the best fish swimming near the bottom '' ! lol
maz

ampoule

05-19-2008, 06:22 PM

I am confused,
Very confused,
Never a hard thing to doozed. ;) :D

mazHur

05-19-2008, 06:26 PM

I am confused,
Very confused,
Never a hard thing to doozed. ;) D:

don't be confused my dear
the result's gonna be near
take a night cap and be ""snoozed;) '''!

ampoule

05-19-2008, 07:10 PM

but maz but maz
I snooze too much
and rarely do a
nightcap touch :D

mazHur

05-20-2008, 11:03 AM

Dear Amp,,,i was just jokin,,,keep enjoying what you are :Snooze ! lol !

ampoule

05-29-2008, 07:35 AM

Dear Amp,,,i was just jokin,,,keep enjoying what you are! lol !

I know you were teasing. ;) No problem.

mazHur

05-29-2008, 04:21 PM

Hello All !!

Am sorry for staying behind schedule. Anyway here is my verdict on the poems for the contest. Thanks to all for participating and to those who cared to read and enjoy the brilliant poems submitted by our friend poets (and/or poetesses) in this contest.

Alakungfu: Comparatively, I liked these lines --these are so beautiful and so realistic indeed !

pyramid impassive
lo! to the artistry
woe to the prone pastry
foe to the waisting industry

rapturous treasures
food for thought
good for the overwrought
mood for quite a lot

However, the poem mainly depicts the dietary and mood=elevating aspect of the cup cakes and is brilliant in that respect.

PenDragon: These lines of your poem are really very forceful ,,,,

Lost in crème whirls and swirls,
Piled high and looking like another world
Of brown mountain topped by driven snow,

the poem is good in rhythm and rhyme and has an historical central idea ,,,,,

schadenfreude,,,,Wow! what a beautiful ending ! the entire poem flows like a stream of thought ,,,,innocent thought culminating in ' a bite into soft flesh' !

And I still know nothing, but can picture
Your small sharp teeth
Biting into soft flesh.

Ampoule:

a very nice ditty indeed,,,,however, upon reading the opening lines I had thought you were alluding to children but,,,,,hmmmm !

Come to me now, my little cupcake,
Let me unwrap you, gently squeeze
That moist, sweet chiffon.

the poem has a 'deep thought ' expressed with poetic grandeur ,,,,,

So, an overall consideration of all aspects of thought, imagery and composition I am pleased to declare schadenfreude,,,as the Winner of this contest ....Congratulations freude !.:)

Thanks Ampoule, Alakungfu, Pen for decorating this contest with your brilliant poems
and, yes, thanks to Symphony as well for drawing our attention to the poem by the Ice Cream King !

best wishes
maz

ampoule

05-30-2008, 02:34 PM

Congratulations Schadenfreude! :D

haha, maz, children were the furthest thing from my mind. ;)

Pendragon

05-31-2008, 10:31 AM

Way to go, 'freude! Picture? :) ;)

schadenfreude

05-31-2008, 10:46 AM

Thank-you Mazhur, Amp and Pen! I will post a picture up very soon!

schadenfreude

05-31-2008, 10:44 PM

This is a picture from one of my favourite books:

http://www.ozarts.com.au/__data/assets/image/0015/20346/Red_Tree_fish.jpg

Good Luck!

motherhubbard

05-31-2008, 11:25 PM

that's a great picture. What is the book?

autolycus

06-01-2008, 04:00 AM

Have a look here: http://www.shauntan.net/books/red-tree.html

Pendragon

06-02-2008, 10:18 AM

I usually hate going first, but...

The Grouper
Listen my children and understand,
That when things don’t go like you had planned—
You better not fuss and you better not cry,
Don’t raise a ruckus, I’m telling you why—
Best look out for The Grouper!

It’s an ugly, dead-eyed monster-fish
That eats bad children for its dish—
You will never know just when it’s there,
So dry your eyes and just beware—
Best look out for The Grouper!

No one sees it but its victim!
I’m sure you heard about Stanley Wickham!
He threw a fit about his bedtime,
And vanished suddenly from 34th and Vine—
He didn’t look out for The Grouper!

So next time you decide to sass your mom,
Or tell granddad off with cold aplomb—
Look over your shoulder and apologize fast,
The Fish is coming with eyes of wrath!
Best look out for The Grouper!

Pendragon
© June 2, 2008

ampoule

06-02-2008, 12:23 PM

Pen, that is adorable!

Captain Pike

06-02-2008, 04:13 PM

What a cool book! I wish I had had a chance to explore this is my own children... hey wait a minute... I have a GRANDSON!

alakungfu

06-05-2008, 04:29 PM

Temp-pest

Just when you least expect it
A monster reappears
The one that lies in wait. Suspect it...
Subverts all your fears.

The dragon breaches your dream cavity
And comes fire-breathing to life
Drawing its banal brevity
In a discordant climax of strife.

Living the high life of inviolate force
And uncontested power,
Soliciting dominion over its due course,
It gambles its luck won't run sour.

How to shake the miserable snake
And regain circumstantial control -
Enlist Avalon 's fabled lake
And unburden your harried soul.

alakungfu

06-05-2008, 05:02 PM

Congratulations Schadenfraude! Nice picture. My background is Eastern European and the texture of this illustration is the same as in books I've seen that my parents had.

mazHur

06-05-2008, 05:44 PM

The Last Visit

Can't you see in her eyes,
O men and women on the street,
the surging sadness, hopelessness and despair
you have given her?
She roamed the oceans deep
like a maid in a daffodil field;
she had a clan, a tribe, a family
but all, yes all , is now gone!
She glances at her ''benefactors''
who don't even have the scruples
to cast a look upwards
at her heavenly soul;
Yes, she's dead and no more,
you may call it extinct
she's no more the ornament of the sea,
she's no more the wealth of the oceans;
like her kinfolk she has also been the victim
of the greedy humans
who killed her great population
just to make some dough
and fill their burning tummies.
Yes, she tasted delicious
to the humans
who 'slew' them to decorate
their dinners
wasting a better half of their meat
and bones
for feeding pigs, dogs, cats and poultry;

http://www.ozarts.com.au/__data/assets/image/0015/20346/Red_Tree_fish.jpg

She was never a poor man's diet
neither is any fish the glory
of a poor man except
a source of subsistence for the poor
but heartless fishermen ;
the humans killed them all,
employed all means and methods
of catching them to kill;
trawling, trolling ,gill netting ,purse seining ,
even vacuum fishing ,,,,
nothing spared to spare their lives
just to satiate the hunger
of the rich,
the lust for money from every kill!
Ah, she and her folks ---all , yes all
have gone for eternity
from our oceans
to the land of eternity!
Name it grouper, grunter, bass, cod or croaker
----fish is always fish by whatever name
you call it !
She's dead and her soul flies
over our cities
over our heads
but we are least disturbed
even to look at her,
even to say "'God Bless your Departed soul''!
People on the streets
are indifferent and unmoved
by her appearance
a fleshless shadow,
a restless flying soul
like one has in his mind
or imagination
that which you call
'deja vous''!
With no one to greet her,
no one there even bothering
to lift his eyes to see her
the tongue-less pisces
moves ahead harmlessly
without disturbing the folks below
back to her celestial abode
her eyes filled with sheer sadness
and disappointment
at the ungratefulness
of human beings
on the gourmet-fillings
she had been providing them
for centuries in the past;
what a fate!
what a misery befallen
the kingly creature of the sea!
Once so dearly loved and prized
for her tasty meat
so typical of her big-mouth,
no one seems to bother about her,
no one seems to remember her!
Nevrmind, she leaves
without anybody heeding to her warning
'O humans ! I;m leaving nevr to come back
not even in your dreams!
By 2050 you will not have my like any more
in your oceans and seas!
Keep overfishing, devouring, wasting over catch
encashing us like carefree mad men
You will soon see fish only in museums''

AdoreroDio

06-08-2008, 07:41 PM

Unnoticed

"Nobody notices
anything anymore"
The little girl sighed
she had tried
oh, how she had tried
to get the attention
...of her sister
as she left the room
but she was to busy
listening to music
...of her father
as she left the house
with her mother
but he was to tired
and was watching
the news
...of her mother
as they passed
a toy store
but she was to busy
being busy
everyone was to busy
looking at their shoes
or the newspaper
to notice her
she was invisible
but as she thought this
looking down
she didn't notice.
she didn't see the paper
flapping against the wall
advertising a new candy
or the little red bird
on the gutter
searching for material
to build a nest
she didn't notice
the other little girl
without a mother
or a father
to ignore her
alone
wearing
a bright purple coat
so noticeably
going unnoticed
with her bright red hair
she, too, noticed nothing
everyone was busy
the giant fish
that had parked itself
in the middle of the street
thinking
"Now someone will notice.
now they will care.
Giant fish are too common
out in the ocean
but here I'll catch glances."
but soon discovered
the pavement,
the newspaper,
the leather shoes,
the others' distractions
were much more interesting
than a fish out of water
"No wonder humans
hate this world
and always want
to make it better...
maybe they could
if they just stopped trying
just paused
for a second
to notice
to care."
And with that
a tear ran down
his shiny scales
hitting the
much-more-interesting
-than-himself
pavement
and he turned around
sliding gently to the ocean
Unnoticed.

lucidnightmares

06-18-2008, 06:26 AM

as the shadow grows a teardrop falls
but no-one knows how often she crawls
cannot walk anymore, legs grow weary
doesn`t talk, she has no more theories
she used to believe in happy ever after
allways on the eve of an age without laughter
and sorrow rears it`s ugly head
releasing the fears she thought where dead
grotesque in appearance with a grace of sorts
statuesque and empty, eyes glossy as quartz

these empty eyes see what we cannot
see through the guise that we have forgot
we all walk by without a clue
tick and toc as we turn the screw
sealing our casket tighter than ever
stealing the time that we tried to sever
green with envy the monster cries
between the angles and the flies
where all people live out there days
the cross on the steeple is surrounded in haze

no one knows and no one cares
the shadow grows engulfing her prayers...

schadenfreude

06-19-2008, 08:55 AM

A fantastic selection already! I think I'll set the deadline on the 10th of July.

ampoule

07-14-2008, 06:03 AM

Has a choice been made yet?

lucidnightmares

07-19-2008, 08:38 PM

bump???

AdoreroDio

07-21-2008, 05:39 PM

bump???

was that a question? ;)

well....I'm curious. The tenth has gone and passed.

bump.

Pendragon

07-23-2008, 11:01 AM

Uh, Freude? Bumpty-bump! :alien: :alien: :alien:

AdoreroDio

07-23-2008, 01:04 PM

Ok so I just checked from curiosity and Freude hasn't posted here since 6-21 but was on the eleventh which is after the deadline so I don't know- maybe it's taking this long to judge? or Freude forgot maybe? is sick? IDK

Pendragon

08-04-2008, 10:10 AM

Are we ever going to get an answer on this, or should Petra just restart the whole thing? :( :bawling:

mazHur

08-04-2008, 10:51 AM

i think it's high time someone senior among us ( i propose Pen) decided this contest

AdoreroDio

08-04-2008, 03:49 PM

I agree, that is of course, if Pen wouldn't mind ignoring his own entry and judging? Or we could find someone who has not submitted a poem? I just want this to continue on...

autolycus

08-05-2008, 03:28 AM

I've not posted a poem here, but if I had to judge I know which one I'd pick... *grin*

Edit: I mean, not posted for this particular competition, of course.

mazHur

08-05-2008, 08:28 AM

Hey
what are we waiting for??
I hope others here would also agree on appointing Pen as the Judge for this contest and hopefully he would withdraw his participation herein due to change in his status as a selector ?
Any comments?

ampoule

08-05-2008, 09:11 AM

I agree.

TheFifthElement

08-05-2008, 10:09 AM

I don't think it's fair to ask Pen as he has contributed to the contest, but autolycus has volunteered to judge see post 558 above.

I'd propose that a non-contributor to this round judges the contest - if not Autolycus then I'd be happy to do it.

Jozanny

08-05-2008, 10:18 AM

TheFifthElement

08-05-2008, 10:27 AM

I'm lost. Where are the contest rules?

Contest rules are as below:

For any newbies, here's a list of the rules describing how this works:

1. The winner from the previous round will select a picture for the next round and set an appropriate deadline date for submissions (usually about two to three weeks has worked out well). The same person who selects the picture is also the judge for that round.

2. Participants then write a poem inspired by what they see in the picture for that round and submit the poem in a post to the thread before the deadline date.

3. Only one poem per person may be submitted for judging in each round.

4. The judge for each round is responsible for posting when the deadline has been reached and the contest is closed to any new submissions for that round. He/she is then responsible for selecting a winner in a (hopefully) timely fashion.

5. Once the judge for that round has posted the winner, then it is that winner's turn to select the new picture and act as judge for the next round. (Traditionally judges have given brief feedback to all participants in addition to selecting a winner).

6. This contest is designed for the purposes of having fun and exercising our poetry skills. The only prize offered is the pride of winning and the fun of getting to select the next picture and act as judge. The greatest reward, however, has proven to be the enjoyment of improving one's own poetry and the chance to read the really great contributions of others here. So join in, and have fun!

these are at post 1 of the thread. Strictly speaking, schadenfreude should judge the contest but schadenfreude seems to have disappeared. In her (I'm assuming 'her'!) absence, someone needs to judge the contest and move it along. I think we've got enough people on the site who could judge it without having to ask Pen to do it. Autolycus has offered, I would be happy to do it, or perhaps, for a fully objective solution, one of the mods could be asked to do it?

mazHur

08-05-2008, 10:45 AM

okay, let's leave the matter for the mods to judge ,,any volunteer??

Pendragon

08-05-2008, 11:16 AM

We had two volunteers, Auto and Fifth. Perhaps both will do so? And thanks, Fifth, for saying it wasn't fair to make me ignore my poem! I worked hard on that one! ;) :)

Jozanny

08-05-2008, 11:25 AM

Contest rules are as below:

these are at post 1 of the thread. Strictly speaking, schadenfreude should judge the contest but schadenfreude seems to have disappeared. In her (I'm assuming 'her'!) absence, someone needs to judge the contest and move it along. I think we've got enough people on the site who could judge it without having to ask Pen to do it. Autolycus has offered, I would be happy to do it, or perhaps, for a fully objective solution, one of the mods could be asked to do it?

I see. I am a published poet, with over 300 pieces in various print and online archives, and one small magazine issue unto myself. If that serves as sufficient criteria for judging, and I don't know, maybe it doesn't, I'd be happy to help.

I have no interest in posting my own material on LN unless it is a cash award thingy:p . For money I'd stoop!

Thanks for the enlightenment Fifth, as always, a pleasure.

autolycus

08-05-2008, 11:43 AM

*grin*

I will step aside for anyone else who wants to judge and pick a picture for the next round. I'm just here 'in the breach', so to speak. My poetic bona fides are certainly nowhere as extensive as Pen's or Jozanny's or any of many of the other contributors around here.

mazHur

08-05-2008, 12:01 PM

if any one of the 2 is from the mods let them take the charge,,,
or let both of them pass a unanimous decision jointly

AdoreroDio

08-05-2008, 06:05 PM

I agree, but do it quickly, that is the point right?

autolycus

08-05-2008, 08:28 PM

OK, in the interests of the competition and in the spirit of the Games... oops, I mean the Picture Poetry Contest... I hereby declare (most precipitously and without any authority whatsoever except that of being impetuous and unable to withstand anymore of this tension) that:

Based on the atmosphere of childhood fear and creeping gloom engendered by the poem, and the responses made, all of creative poetic merit...

I would vote that Pen take this round, since my completely subjective judgement is that if I were to put that picture in a book, next to a poem which would fit the mood of the book and genre of the book, it would most likely be Pen's.

Seriously, the Pendragon's poem is exactly of that ghoulish (almost Dahlian) kind of child-scary material which is funny and yet might conceal something darker. And hence, if everyone is willing to give me my druthers, it's Pen!

lucidnightmares

08-05-2008, 08:34 PM

agreed with autolycus :thumbs_up
i`m anxious to see the next contest:D

Pendragon

08-06-2008, 10:16 AM

Perhaps this is a better picture for poetry... Deadline 15th of September

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l108/AbsalomKane/reaper.jpg

ampoule

08-07-2008, 08:45 AM

Congratulations Pen!!

Pendragon

08-07-2008, 11:06 AM

Congratulations Pen!!Thanks, Lady Amp! ;) ;) ;)

Pendragon

08-12-2008, 09:48 PM

I'm sensing hostility here. Apparently, others did not agree with my poem as the winner. Fine. Someone else choose a bloody picture! :flare::flare::flare:

autolycus

08-13-2008, 03:23 AM

Why's there hostility? *grin* It's not as if I've favoured Pen in the past; it's just that if nobody wanted to make the decision, I made it on grounds which I've stated.

I will say that there are poems which some might deem more poetic, poems perhaps more profound or stylistically maybe more beautiful, but I still think Pen's poem was most appropriate for the picture.

YMMV, but as I said before, and as Pen seems to agree, that was a provisional verdict. Nobody disagreed, we moved on.

Sometimes I think we've moved to become a society that doesn't like to disagree openly. It manifests in the news media, in classrooms, in 'civil society' – we seek to portray balance, no winners or losers, everything fair, everyone has a say. But that's not always a good thing. Sometimes, there is no balance; sometimes, people are wrong; sometimes, there are losers; sometimes there cannot be fairness without inequity.

Ah well. Why don't we just look at the picture Pen put up, realise that it's a good iconic picture, and work at it? Surely we are all poets.

AdoreroDio

08-14-2008, 10:56 PM

Since no one else seems inclined to start, I will.

The Winter Rabbit

Winter winds slammed doors
and rushed people
to warm fires
cold cut into intruders' skin
into all those who dared
dared be outside
another inside day
the animals too
hid from the harsh blast
as icy snow drifted to the floor
in flurries
the trees bent against the wind
and froze
captured in the moment
bowing to nature
and to its guest
a grim figure
that swept through
the snowy drift
searching for its next victim
the woods were silent
all stayed clear of winter's
unkindly accomplice
the one who searched
and found none
for all feared the chilly death
all but one
a single hare
white as the snow
stirred in the path
warm within its coat
at home in the soft snow
not afraid of winters blast
and stepping in the path
of death itself
it paused
and gazed at the cloaked figure
which almost disappeared
in the background
cloaked and hidden
and ice spread around it
killing any thing in its circle
and freezing the branches
but the hare did not comprehend
who or what
stood before it
it did not know the fear of death
as did the humans
or the less clothed animals
winter was its home
ice and snow
were not terrors
Death paused in its path
and stared at this unlikely animal
that had no fear
no terror or respect
it stared into the eyes
of the little rabbit
that sat in its path
and for the first time
paused
and did not step
did not kill
as it was accustomed
but paused
what was this
that made death pause?
and that death held no terror in
just a rabbit?
and for the first time
death saw life
and life that did not fear death
and saw no reason to destroy it
this thing that was so brave
and if not brave
so delicate
and so the scythe dropped
and in that winter night
death dyed
and the first green of spring
came in the morning
and the frost disappeared
and warmth
beckoned the people
out of hiding
out of fear
because of the rabbit
that loved winter

Pendragon

08-15-2008, 09:39 AM

Thanks for a truly beautiful start, AndyDio! http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l108/AbsalomKane/waiving_dragon.gif

alakungfu

08-16-2008, 03:28 PM

The Fell Stroke

Death winnows the wide-eyed
Since the rabbit defied
And scrapped the numbed lots
Of the dangling knots,
Their weighty cadence,

Disguised crumbling leaves,
Dredged from the eaves
To escort the grim stride
From the Great Divide,
Primordial Sense.

barbara0207

08-19-2008, 05:58 PM

The sight of fearless bunny made me smile, so I thought I'd go for a funny sonnet in tetrameters:

Bunny and the Reaper

The Reaper, playing with his tool,
swinging his scythe from side to side,
sings softly, "I'm nobody's fool",
his hood over his face doth slide
as he is dancing to his rhythm,
the tree's boughs curling with surprise
and the dead leaves dancing with 'im,
when suddenly li'l Bunny cries,
"Uncle, what's that there thing thou hast?",
oblivious of the jeopardy.
The Reaper starts, and he seems crest-
fallen, flees in agony.

And the moral of the story?

Frighten Death and live in glory!

Hm, the indentation of the couplet didn't work out the way I wanted to have it. Can't help it.

schadenfreude

08-30-2008, 10:58 PM

Hello everyone,
I apoplogise for failing to judge the previous contest. Unfortunately, several events came up and my mind has been so occupied lately that I've completely forgotten about this contest. I know that is a weak excuse and I am sorry for the confusion and hassle that I've caused.

I'm extremely grateful to Pen for taking charge of the situation. I dread to think that I was almost responsible for this long-enduring thread fading into oblivion. Many thanks, Pen! (Fantastic picture, by the way)

I apologise once more,
Schad.

lucidnightmares

09-02-2008, 10:17 AM

as death lay dormant neath the trees
it dreamt of pain and misery
"oh what will they beseech from me?
to love and live with family?"

a chuckle begins beneath his shroud
starting quiet and growing loud
as it looks t`ward heaven`s pathetic clouds
and wonders if entrance would be allowed

to take an angel by it`s wings
and show it earths disgusting kings
for whom he has been pulling strings
and take joy in the dirge the angels sings

and deaths triumphant dream did cease
though it didn`t mind in the least
for from life`s grasp he would release
all the world and bring it peace

deaths head rose slightly, stopped and stared
towards two tiny eyes that seemed prepared
to accept what death was willing to share
to ascend the darkness of eternal stairs

deaths head tilted, confused and dazed
"this mortal, in deaths presence, unfazed?
does it not know of the lifes i have razed?"
all this time the tiny eyes remained glazed

two tiny eyes staring out
as death itself began to shout
"is it my powers you doubt?
the candle of eternity i have snuffed out!"

it touched a tree, watched it wither
and ask the eyes to come hither
no response from the eyes placed death in a dither
and to the eyes death did slither

with a rotting hand death touched the eyes
of a fiber glass rabbit, to deaths surprise
had no reaction so death surmised
it must be a god, and said his goodbyes...

Il Penseroso

09-02-2008, 01:13 PM

Unfathomed shape treading a misty trail,
bloodhound that makes no sound following souls,
with icicled hood, at each step, full sail,
the reaper stiffens victims, filling holes.
His scythe, winter’s slicing metallic vein,
rattles as it falls still limbs white with snow,
scattering the cold interwoven skein
from boughs rankled as their raw fibers show.
Grim advocate for what is seldom known,
that life's form is like a spiral seashell,
a tunnel in which crystal clouds are blown
as faint memories of a rhythmic knell
to land, dissolve in dust, and sprout anew
warmth in colors by a petal outgrew.

mazHur

09-02-2008, 02:00 PM

Little Bunny

Go away, little bunny,
turn your face away from me;
Let me mind my business,
you yours;
Stare not at my dress,
Nor bewilder at my gait;
My instrument may frighten you
but don't
It's not your turn yet
nor am here for you;
Go away, little bunny,
nibble at the green grass,
crimson carrots and have fun;
Presently am in hurry
and will get back to you
upon your turn;
The old ***** is pregnant
and i am quite perplexed
what justice should I impart to her?
She has already seen her time
but the baby in her womb not;
But my religion doesn't know
pity for old, young or sick;
I just follow the orders
of the High Command;
Well, am I supposed to tell
you all this?
A day will come when you will come
to know;
know how I stealthily come
and finish off my prey
in a jiffy;
Go away, little bunny,
your name is not on the list
but,,,,,remember,
keep this meeting with me
confidential
so that no body can figure out
my countenance and composure;
I fly with time and swim in space;
nothing , yes nothing can prevent me
from doing what i am wont to do;
I am a taker as well as a giver
of a life for life
enveloped in a world
beyond this world;
People dread me
call me names
but I may appear to be brutal
but i rid living things from their miseries,
take them to the cove of eternal bliss;
Oh, no, there's no such thing as hell;
That's just a hoax for men
to refrain them from exploiting women
and other fellow men;
Good or bad, all ends up
in eternal life,
a life unseen by you
yet a time of beautiful spring
and summer,
no winters to freeze your heart;
Adious! dear bunny, let us now part
to meet at the destined time
i promise I will be kinder to you
and rid you of your amazement
with the gift of eternal bliss-
the Death.

http://www.playlandstation.com/A-images/cartoon-paper-models/18.jpg

ampoule

09-04-2008, 04:02 PM

Perhaps this is a better picture for poetry... Deadline 15th of September

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l108/AbsalomKane/reaper.jpg

Narrow...Escape, That Is

Such big death hovers over me,
So black it cannot show its face.
I listen, alert, I watch unblinking,
My hair raises, my skin shivers
at the feel of your slinging sickle.
Death missed, death left, death leftover,
Your roots are frozen there
But I can change directions.

ampoule, September Fourth, TwoThousandEight

mazHur

09-04-2008, 04:20 PM

Yes, it is!

Pendragon

09-07-2008, 03:13 PM

Pendragon

09-09-2008, 07:37 AM

Gonna be a really hard choice. I'm letting non-members read these and help me decide... :D

autolycus

09-09-2008, 11:34 AM

Where Wanderer's weary way wends,
Widows wail, while wrathful warriors
Wait willingly with wasted wounds.

Wanderer walks winter wasteland;
Woollytail warily watches
Wraithly walker wielding weapon.

Woollytail whispers: what will warm
Wanderer's wintry weapon's wrath,
Ward woolly wretch with witchy wit?

Wanderer winks wryly: we waive
Weird woolgathering whimsies;
Waylaying Woollytail wreaks wry.

Whence we wist, whereas women weep,
Wights whiten worry-wracked with woe,
Woollytails whiffle wittily.

;)

Pendragon

09-13-2008, 06:29 PM

Wonderful poems, yet I think someone still has to capture something about that picture. I am extending the deadline until the 20th.

Keep writing these magnificent lines!

Pen

Pendragon

09-20-2008, 04:52 AM

Game Over! :idea:

The Final Cut:

Andydio:

First one posted, and you hit the one thing I really wanted hit: The Rabbit. All signs of Death are there, winter, the Reaper, cold, etc. But the Rabbit is a sign of life. I liked your poem, I just felt it was a trifle long. I think after the line “and gazed at the cloaked figure” I would have dropped straight to the line: “and the first green of spring”. My taste only, you understand.

Lucidnightmares

I have trouble with untitled poetry for some reason. “Death’s Surprise” might have been a good title. You had me, though, until the rabbit turned out to be a fake… ARRRUAGHHHH!

Il Penseroso

Good title. You missed the rabbit, but it was an excellent description of Death. Great poem!

Barbie

I think it was that meter that threw me here, crest-fallen seemed a forced rhyme. Otherwise I Love the poem.

MahZur

Got the rabbit confronts Death wonderfully! I love the poem except for the “The old ***** is pregnant
and i am quite perplexed” lines.

Lady Amp

You wrote from the Rabbit’s perspective and it was excellent poetry!

Autolycus

Fiendishly fabulous fable fabricated finely, feeling forlorn from first, foreshadowing finale! Fresh form forgoes further felicitations! Freaky!

I have to choose Auto. It must have been very hard to write all in one alphabet letter.

Autolycus may choose next picture. Thanks to all for your participation. I give second and third to Lady Amp and Andydio respectively in every sense of the word.

Love y’all!

Pen :)

autolycus

09-20-2008, 12:31 PM

Poet proffers plentiful plaudits, Pen! Promises proper penance.

*slaps self*

Thank you very much for the honour!

At this point in time I'm beginning to wonder when the moderators will archive this 40-page thread and start a new one...

*grin*

But until then, I would like to offer this picture, taken by my wingman on a trip to Japan...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3182/2556506340_40b3a44d0f_o.jpg

Deadline will be Oct 24, so that someone else can do something appropriate for Oct 31. :)

alakungfu

09-20-2008, 01:16 PM

Congratulations, Autolycus

Night in Japan

You've missed the essence,
You're missing the point.
Tokyo wasn't built in a day.
How many temples did technology anoint?

Beauty is nurtured here,
Design, held sacred,
Teachers sit as chairmen;
They don't view their models naked,

Without the background
Of their timeworn heritage
Always offering support
In their honouur-bound ventures wrapped in native verbage.

Change I can accept,
But this duplication
Of an unknown culture
Smacks more or less of sublimation.

Why does technology
Overpower everything it meets?
Is it impossible
That these machines could yield to future feats?

autolycus

09-20-2008, 01:44 PM

Oooh! An excellent start. I feel your pain, alakungfu...

mazHur

09-20-2008, 02:46 PM

congrats, Alycus!

ampoule

09-20-2008, 03:28 PM

Pen! Thank you so much for your kind words and tie for second place. I had missed the bunny at first look and things that are going on in my life made me look away. But on second look when I saw the wee bunny I was flooded with a certain brave warmth.
A hardy congratulations to you autolycus and I look forward to pondering your picture.

Il Penseroso

09-20-2008, 10:11 PM

congratulations auto!

Pendragon

09-23-2008, 07:06 AM

Love by Chance

Flagged down a cab outside my dingy hotel.
Went looking for the one I had come to meet.
Out the foggy window I saw her talking on her cell
Umbrella protecting her from getting wet feet.
I asked the cabbie just to drive down slow,
And I watched and wished her bright smile was for me.
But the time was running out and I had to go,
The clock doesn’t wait for anyone you see.
All through my boring meeting I thought about her.
Did she have a boyfriend? What did she think of white men?
I drove back hopefully have the chance to speak to her,
But the corner was as empty as my dreams and plans.
Lovely lady, you caught my eyes and heart for a moment in time.
Could you give them back to me, I think they’re mine…

Pendragon
© September 23, 2008

autolycus

10-07-2008, 10:33 AM

Hey, plenty of time... already a brace of good poems... 16 days or so more...

TheFifthElement

10-07-2008, 02:08 PM

Don't think I said it before but congratulations auto, and nice picture. Japanese women are so lovely.

mazHur

10-07-2008, 04:38 PM

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3182/2556506340_40b3a44d0f_o.jpg

The Long Wait
by mazHur

the marvels of modern science
are no solace for the heart;
cities are like jungles of traffic,
shops laden with treasures;
days are days but nights
too glisten like days
illuminated by electrical savers and neons;
But I stand holding my umbrella
in this hustle bustle of life,
nay, overly scattered life,
alone, amazed at the ambiance
thinking whether I should move ahead
Or retract as he, my love,
seems to have been stuck
in some traffic jam somewhere;
or forgotten, no, impossible,
or having time with another date,
Oh, no, that's unbelievable!
Waiting is a roguish exercise
breeds apprehensions and suspicion,
weakens the ties of love and friendship;
Be it so or whatever, I shall wait
until my Kamikaze comes;
trifle is all this hustle bustle
without him- my heart, my love;
Let Ginza sparkle with all its beauty
Waiting for my love is now my duty!
Sayonara to all who read my poem,
I end it with a gesture of goodwill
for all of you, where ever you are;
please pray for my love to be here
before the shadows of night overtake
the naked sun and the mild drizzle
transforms into heavy rain
and melts down all my dreams!
My way I wish to thank all of ya,
Ary gaato guzai mashta!!:)

..............................

Epistemophile

10-08-2008, 06:18 AM

THE PHOTOGRAPHER

A voice comes in gently through the air
Loses itself in the surrounding mist
Silence tolls its broken, lonely bells
And the sinewy streets now daylight ensnare

After the rain has fallen, after the ghosts have left
After all the half-whispered prayers have been read
There falls a shadow amidst the neon city lights
And you stand there waiting, patient yet bereft.

Waiting and searching with vacant desperation slow
Caught in the traffic web of humans and cars
You wear an empty smile on your reflected face
Unaware, your parasol watches the rain that falls no more

And I see you from a certain distance
And the wet streets sparkling like minute stars
And the sudden magical light on your fluid skirt
Impressions converge in a smooth unending instance

And there you stand at the edge of an alien street
Forever shall you wait and forever try to reach
Over the cell phone, another voice you know
Always shall I be silent, always still, if you and I ever meet.

autolycus

10-08-2008, 11:21 AM

Ho ho... now I am in serious trouble. Too many good entries.

It's a good kind of trouble. I love it!

AdoreroDio

10-19-2008, 01:21 AM

Aisuru

O Foolish Weather!
Don't you know?
Don't you realize that today
today is the day
In my thudding heart
and pulsing veins
I know that tonight
Oh tonight!
Tonight will be my night!
O Foolish Weather!
To rain!
To pour!
The somber drip of water
upon my spotted umbrella
why not be bright?
Why not shine?
O Foolish Weather!

O Whimsical Weather!
You know me too well
you know tonight
must be unique
why shine?
why glisten?
when tonight must be different!
In my blushing cheeks I know
In my smiling lips
it shows
tonight must be my night
O Whimsical Weather!
Your glistening drops
like diamonds fall
covering this world
pausing it for me
that I might savor this night
my night
O Whimsical Weather!

O Romantic Weather!
How could I have doubted?
tonight is indeed my night
that I might dance
my umbrella spinning beside me
as I turn in circles
waiting for that one special car
to take me away!
take me to the place that will make
this night
my night
and his!
O Romantic Weather!
Your rain drops
drip a special beat
just for me
so I can dance!
and laugh!
And smile!
Tonight is my night
the night he asks that question
I know is hanging on his lips
I heard it in his call
over my phone
which clings to my ear
when I heard him say
"I love you. Come."
I know it
and my answer
waits on my smile
where is that fateful car?
Rain be my good omen
that more dancing
is too come
O Romantic Weather!

autolycus

10-19-2008, 02:57 AM

Just a reminder: deadline is 24 October, which is the coming Friday... *grin* wonderful, lyrical, human entries. I am so dead!

autolycus

10-23-2008, 02:43 PM

Last day, and then we'll leave that lovely young lady still waiting in the rain...

autolycus

10-25-2008, 12:03 PM

Hello, my dear colleagues!

This contest is now closed. Much appreciation and many thanks to alakungu, Pendragon, mazHur, Epistemophile and AdoreroDia for your fine contributions.

I'll get the decision up by midweek so that the winner can start a new month afresh.

Thanks again!

autolycus

10-28-2008, 10:38 PM

It's always hard to pick a winner around here. I suspect this time round it was harder than most other times!

Here is my take on the five entries.

1. Night in Japan

You've missed the essence,
You're missing the point.
Tokyo wasn't built in a day.
How many temples did technology anoint?

This is certainly not an easy question to answer. There's a fusion of western questioning and terminology with a zen-like approach to not giving direct answers. And it captures that Japanese ambivalence very nicely, in an unsettling sort of way.

2. Love by Chance

But the time was running out and I had to go,
The clock doesn’t wait for anyone you see.
All through my boring meeting I thought about her.
Did she have a boyfriend? What did she think of white men?
I drove back hopefully have the chance to speak to her,
But the corner was as empty as my dreams and plans.

Another cultural clash is implicit here. We see the urgency of the clock and the need for answers — met all too sadly by the empty hand. Very poignant, with a raw sense of missed opportunities.

3. The Long Wait

the marvels of modern science
are no solace for the heart;
cities are like jungles of traffic,
shops laden with treasures...

...my love,
seems to have been stuck
in some traffic jam somewhere;
or forgotten, no, impossible,
or having time with another date,
Oh, no, that's unbelievable!
Waiting is a roguish exercise
breeds apprehensions and suspicion...

Somehow, everyone here is capturing that odd blend of westernization and indigenous thought that lies buried in every modern Japanese scene. Somehow, mazHur also manages to capture the occasional sad humor of the whole thing as well!

4. The Photographer

A voice comes in gently through the air
Loses itself in the surrounding mist
Silence tolls its broken, lonely bells
And the sinewy streets now daylight ensnare...

This poem uses an almost elegiac pace to ensnare its subject. The focus is the cellphone in her hand, and the seeming fruitlessness of the situation, percolating down the corridors of time. Beautiful.

5. Aisuru

O Foolish Weather!
Don't you know?
Don't you realize that today
today is the day
In my thudding heart
and pulsing veins
I know that tonight
Oh tonight!
Tonight will be my night!

And whimsical and romantic weather too, AD says. The romantic comedy stands out here, with the exclamation marks falling in a light drizzle through a poem that is very much like the picture itself, but a lot less dark in tone.

I'd have to say, though, that the balance of manic and reflective, east and west, east looking at west and west looking at east, and other delightful moments... is most obvious in mazHur's The Long Wait. This wasn't the easiest decision to make: I think that for once, I really couldn't decide which poem was best in terms of technique or style. But mazHur's poem manages a bit of everything which I think is in that photograph, and wins by a roguish raindrop.

Congratulations, mazHur!

Thanks to all the poets who responded to that lone Japanese girl; the best thing is that all of you produced such evocative pieces, plaintive and humorous, elegant and visceral — all the things you might find in such a place. Wonderful! I look forward to mazHur's picture.

Pendragon

10-29-2008, 08:18 AM

Congratulations, Maz! Wait for your picture with bated breath... :D

mazHur

10-29-2008, 01:38 PM

Autolycus,
thank you very much for deciding my poem,,
I like the phrase ''by a roguish raindrop''....heard it for the first time!:)
Pen, thank you as well.:)

My picture?? Or, picture?;)

Here's the next picture

http://pics2.picvi.com/media/pics/2008/10/19/BeautifulNatureDesert/01.jpg

Let's go!

mazHur

10-29-2008, 05:15 PM

Autolycus

Acceding to your request I found no way out but to post my picture(s)
on the litnet photoAlbum

here is the link

http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?p=634444#post634444:)

Pendragon

10-31-2008, 07:42 AM

Flowers of Desolation

The white sand blows,
Raked rows like in a Zen garden—
Uncared for by human hands.
The heat beats down.
Little enough rain falls upon the dune,
Nourishment is short.
The lone yucca plant
Blooms despite of the circumstances,
Triumph of hope over expectation…

Pendragon
© 11/31/01

Pendragon

11-19-2008, 01:57 PM

Is competition too much to ask for, my friends? :(:(:(:(

lucidnightmares

11-19-2008, 09:31 PM

hopefully this isn`t to late
pen i completely agree. i`m alittle sad that this topic isn`t more active, but i`m glad i got to take part in it.
hopefully some more poets better than i can take part as well

the ripples of humanity often find
nothing
crawling along the searing earth
forever
eternity is quite perplex in that
nothing is eternal

the world lacks the will to continue
and thus we create our own
for we must have logic, must construe
lest give into fear of the unknown

so sand will criss
and the oceans cross
un-aware of the abyss
the unfathomable loss

and then the criss and cross shall meet
destiny plays it`s part
life
a single sprout gave way to forests
forests to man
and man to himself

the only constant
is continuity
life never dies
so long as birth exists

seed
tree
wither
seed

seed tree wither........seed

and thus life goes on alone, yet beautiful.

symphony

11-20-2008, 12:42 AM

So few entries?!
When's the deadline? May be i can spend a bit more time here after tomorrow's exam, i'll see if i can try my hand on this...

autolycus

11-20-2008, 11:29 PM

After the end, the wind sweeps clean
The sky is clear and bright
The radiation glows unseen
Beyond the lambent light

Although the world now stands betrayed
By metal, glass and stone
I plant my roots still unafraid
Immortal and alone

What need have I of book or pen?
My chloroplasts are all
For what goes round must come again
Upon this sandy ball

And though I perish in the end
When all the days are done
Still I stood tall and did not bend
Beneath the lonely sun

alakungfu

11-21-2008, 06:03 PM

Middle of Nowhere

Oh little clod of nothingness,
How close your secrets lie
To the humbleness in your surface
Face drawn tight and wry.

Your blanched look is unimpeachable,
Your husk remains untouched,
Your footprints are untraceable,
And your movements are not known much.

Wait until the sky falls in
And the heavens open up
Or the night settles clear as parafin
To fill an anonymous cup.

Then the pests that duck at day
fFnd relief in a dance of pursuit
And count the boor shrub in their way
A pennant for the rough and moot.

lucidnightmares

12-07-2008, 08:57 PM

bump???

AdoreroDio

12-15-2008, 12:09 AM

I stand alone
the wind harsh against me
there is nothing beside me
nothing in front
or behind me
only that which is against me
trying to tear me down
the wind
the sun
the sand
beating, beating
trying to destroy me
but I will stand
alone
I will be strong
alone
I will master all
alone
I will live
nothing can ever
stop me
nothing can ever
end my life
I choose
I stand
I live

Alone.

AdoreroDio

12-30-2008, 03:07 PM

bump?

mazHur

01-08-2009, 05:18 PM

Hello all!

May I suggest the last date for submissions as 15th inst??

After this date result will be announced

I hope more ppl would be able to contribute
thanks
Maz

mazHur

01-31-2009, 06:47 AM

Hi all!

here is the result of this contest

Notwithstanding lesser number of entries those who have participated have given us some best of their poetic talents.

Pen took the lead and submitted a beautiful concise poem elaborating the scene in the picture. It's a good attempt to cover the basic idea behind the scene.

Aldorerodio has made a good attempt but there is lack of deep thought and imagination.

Lucidnightmare has done well too and tried to depict the philosophy behind the scene.

Alakungfu and Autolycus are cut-throat competitors who have turned out ''master pieces''. It is really hard for me to decide between the two as to who's the winner. Both of them have written par excellence.

what a wonderful ending by Autolycus

And though I perish in the end
When all the days are done
Still I stood tall and did not bend
Beneath the lonely sun
__________________

and Alakungfu

Wait until the sky falls in
And the heavens open up
Or the night settles clear as parafin
To fill an anonymous cup.

beautiful!

I declare Alakungfu as the winner of the contest.
thank you all of you for participating in this contest.

best wishes
Maz

alakungfu

02-01-2009, 06:11 PM

Thank you mazHur. I didn't think I was going to win, so I put aside my expectations and just wrote how I felt. Funny how it happens that way. Anyway, I have a picture I want to post, and I've tried posting it from Google, Yahoo, my email, and another independent website and no luck. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. Can someone please help me?

alakungfu

02-02-2009, 03:43 PM

As is, I don't know how to submit my picture onto this site.

However, it is in my album in my profile, Picture #8, by Brent Heighton. I'll keep trying to post the picture, here, but in the meantime, you can still take a look at it if you want.

mazHur

02-02-2009, 03:56 PM

Ala, just follow the instructions on the photo album and you will be able to do. Alternatively you can seek Moderator's assistance in the matter,,,they are very helpful, i believe.

Pendragon

02-02-2009, 04:09 PM

Half-Full

They left the cafe,
Headed out arm in arm--
But their glasses remain half-full...

The sky is overcast,
Chances good for bad weather--
But their glasses remain half-full...

Downtown in the city,
Life can be hard--
But their glasses remain half-full...

Problems they may have,
Heartache might encumber--
But their glasses remain half-full...

Strolling through life,
Side by side come what may--
But their glasses remain half-full...

Pendragon

alakungfu

02-02-2009, 07:01 PM

Thank you, Pendtagon. Very nice, so melancholy.
Sorry I haven't posted the picture here yet. Hopefully by this time, tomorrow. Untel then, find it in the photo album in my profile, #8 by Brent Heighton.

alakungfu

02-05-2009, 03:35 PM

Well, I'm disappointed I haven't heard from anyone to help me out, so I guess we'll have to try it this way.
Like I said before, the picture is in my album in my profile, #8, by Brent Heighton.
Thank you Pendragon for your entry thus far.
The contest closes March 8, 2009 so hopefully you have enough time to get yours in. I'm sure you'll be able to find lots of inspiration in the Valentine's Day theme.
Good Luck!

mazHur

02-05-2009, 03:40 PM

I did tell you how to post pic...

Again
Select the picture you want to post
Go to 'edit' on top of screen, click on the 'save as' displayed in the window
save the pic.
Now go to litnet album and hit 'browse'
A window will open ,,,,listing your downloads incl the pic you saved under some title.
Click on the pic title ,,,detail will appear on the litnet browse window
click submit and phew! the picture is posted!

alakungfu

02-05-2009, 05:12 PM

Thank you very much mazHur. I'll do my best. I've sent you a message in the meantime.

alakungfu

02-06-2009, 01:58 PM

Now, can someone please tell me how to get to Lit Net album? I checked the FAQ's and I'm still lost. Apart from the album, I'm good with the rest of the instructions mazHur gave me.

mazHur

02-06-2009, 02:10 PM

Two ways to do that
1 go to the 'search' button and discover

2. Hit any 'photo litnet ' link under the 'new posts' heading. You will be taken to the album. Click on 'new thread' option and there you are!

mazHur

02-06-2009, 02:13 PM

here is a 'model' from the listing,,,,
you better subscribe to the 'album' so that in future you can get on to it by simply clicking on the caption in your 'quick search' bucket!

165 Attachment(s) Lit Network Photoalbum. (Multi-page thread 1 2 3 4 5 ... Last Page)
Jack_Aubrey

01-31-2009 12:15 PM
by weltanschauung Go to last post

Instant

alakungfu

02-06-2009, 02:45 PM

I got Lit Network Photoalbum but I couldn't find "Browse", mazHur.

alakungfu

02-06-2009, 02:56 PM

I couldn't find "New thread" either.

mazHur

02-06-2009, 03:15 PM

good, you are almost there, Rome!

Please ignore 'browse' and follow instructions for that forum. Maybe they have a different button to upload pictures (havnt been there for long!)

mazHur

02-06-2009, 03:19 PM

here is the link to litnet album

http://www.online-literature.com/forums/newreply.php?do=postreply&t=12486

click on the yellow icon (for image loading). Insert the photo link you want to post. The link will appear in the main body of the text form. Preview ,,,if all's okay click 'submit' and there you are! Rome!

alakungfu

02-06-2009, 03:34 PM

MazHur, I tried the link and all I got was a blank screen. Could there be a typo, maybe?

mazHur

02-06-2009, 03:41 PM

yes, I also got a blank page! something fishy seems to be goin on!

anyway here's another link to the album I hope it works
Go to the advanced level and follow instructions

http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12486

mazHur

02-06-2009, 03:47 PM

you may also go to 'user CP' and by clicking on 'pictures and albums' at the left hand column under 'networking' you may be able to find some clue to access new thread for posting your picture

Networking
Pictures & Albums

alakungfu

02-06-2009, 04:17 PM

http://www.online-literature.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=425&pictureid=2937

alakungfu

02-06-2009, 04:23 PM

Success! The contest closes March 8, 2009, so get your entries in. Congratulations to Pendragon. At least he's done right by one of those all-important holidays. And we get a great poem out of it. Why not more, hey?

And thank you mazHur for your valuable helpgetting the picture posted.

qimissung

02-08-2009, 06:54 PM

The rain enclosed them in cathedral silence,
The black clouds wrapped them in its’ velvet paw.
He leaned toward her, cupping in his hand the
Delicate hand-blown glass, sniffed the wine,
Tasted, thought. “Piquant,” he said, grinning.
The rain and light appeared to float, an
Iridescent shell; and tender clouds settled,
Casting their opaline light before them.
He Leaned in, brushed back her
hair, laid his palm upon her cheek.
She lifted her glass, “Gout de terroir.”
“More?” he asked, and poured.

Qimissung

alakungfu

02-13-2009, 10:22 AM

Come on everyone. Can we have some entries before Valentine's Day to set a romantic mood, maybe?

~Sophia~

02-13-2009, 10:38 PM

Photo of a Haitian Street Kid (Restaveck)
cadaver being ripped apart by dogs.

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt122/Sophialid/Dogs_Cadaver_Streetkidjpg_Thumbnail.jpg

Stays With You

Firefly - when you pulse among the stumps of trees
sacrificed for cane, shacks and cooking fuel,
shine down the throat of starvation, illuminate the
mosquito crops of a rain soaked soil.

Chronicle the transparent children dying
in urinal city gutters. Their memories of
food, medicine, a home flowing in the
sluice of an angry voodoo morphing rice
to maggot - Manbo’s sons and daughters
into sewer rats and jackals.

Firefly - streak innocent on every cross. Collect
their little lives into a book of wilted poems
inscribed with apathy. Condemn throughout eternity
this pestilent infanticide, this gangrenous ignorance
festering three hundred thousand sores a year.
Call it Restaveck, call it Haiti.

for anyone who might want to get involved, www.haitianstreetkids.com

~Sophia~

02-14-2009, 01:09 AM

Come on everyone. Can we have some entries before Valentine's Day to set a romantic mood, maybe?

I didn't read that you were hoping for a Valentine's Day entry. It was so hard figuring out how to post the photo, I missed it. Please forgive me and HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Edit: Ah, the page turned to hopefully no harm done.

PrinceMyshkin

02-14-2009, 09:22 AM

alakungfu

02-14-2009, 09:59 AM

I didn't read that you were hoping for a Valentine's Day entry. It was so hard figuring out how to post the photo, I missed it. Please forgive me and HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Edit: Ah, the page turned to hopefully no harm done.

The contest doesn't close until March 8. I just didn't want to miss Valentine's Day.

~Sophia~

02-14-2009, 10:53 AM

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt122/Sophialid/user44223_pic2937_1233566866.jpg

She lotions her hands.  
A subtle scent somewhere between  
night shade and forget-me-not.  
This can’t be rushed.   

With deft fingers gathers the
diaphanous length of her serpentine lover.
It's filigreed mouth consuming painted toes
it feeds.  
Spiraling the taut ankle and calf,  
teasing the delirious crook of her knee,
warm thigh  
she smiles knowing
this silk stocking  
will be ruined before dawn.

(Feeling like an absolute moron and hoping for a touch of redemption)

PrinceMyshkin

02-14-2009, 11:52 AM

They hold each other up,
hold each other strong
but somewhat fearfully
in view of that shadowy figure
approaching them.

Somehow love, true love,
must always have
a shadow of something,
drawing near...

qimissung

02-14-2009, 12:07 PM

Yes, it is a good poem, isn't it? It stays with you. Like both your subsequent entries, Prince and ~Sophia~, also! :)

PrinceMyshkin

02-14-2009, 02:51 PM

alakungfu

02-14-2009, 04:06 PM

What riveting poems. All of the poems so far make you stop and take notice. They seem to have that fatalistic air and arresting quality about them. I'm enjoying reading them, anywho (and everywho). Happy Valentine's Day, everyone.

~Sophia~

02-14-2009, 11:11 PM

Thanks Alakungfu. (Hope that means you've forgiven my previous bad). Have a great rest of the weekend!

ps: I vote for Prince's entry!

"they hold each other up
hold each other strong"

Great stuff Prince.

alakungfu

02-15-2009, 08:49 AM

Thank you, Sophie. To tell you the truth, I am excited to read any poem that comes from somewhere around the heart, no matter what direction it ends up taking. And these all take a turn of their own. I'm looking forward to judging them, though it's going to be difficult from what we've seen so far. Still three weeks to go.

mazHur

02-18-2009, 11:17 PM

The foxtrot of inseparable love
mazHur

Two glasses of wine,
whatever you may try,
cannot be one strong;
To each his own drink
smacks of duality
of inebriated state;
O my love!
leave alone the goblets
of olden wine;
they are no solace.
no match
for love's exuberance;
love travels
from one heart
to another;
fonder it grows
in absence;
manifests its hues
when lovers meet
holding each other tight
in their arms;
their hearts beating together
with the same pitch,
the same rhythm
of a poetical masterpiece;
Or, the sonorous beat
of the strings of an ephemeric guitar;
music begins to flow,
love's redolence overwhelms,
cosmos rocks and rolls in ecstasy
inebriating the emotions
of the two anxious lovers
with the strong nectar of love;
the lovers forgetful of the world
even forget themselves
that they are Two;
All they feel
all they find
is One soul in two bodies
Like the music of love
emanating from their throbbing hearts
simultaneously
into a single note of enchanting song,
into the foxtrot of inseparable love,
infusing bliss into lovers' lives.

alakungfu

02-19-2009, 07:54 AM

Nice poem mazHur. You tie it together so nicely. One can't help but get lost in the rhythm.

alakungfu

03-02-2009, 03:14 PM

One week left to post your poem. Deadline is March 8.

alakungfu

03-07-2009, 10:52 AM

Two days left to get your entries in.

alakungfu

03-09-2009, 09:16 AM

What I felt most in all of these poems was a sense of imminence. Delightfully polished.

I found Pendragon's poem to be very balanced -- upbeat with melancholy, hard tone with quick rhythm.

Qimissung not only spoke imminence for me but overt breathlessness. Very compelling.

Sophia wrote a sensual and enjoyable poem but most of all it had a touch of nostalgia, which I was looking for. It was frankly evocative and a rich read.

Prince Myshkin uses that ultimate tool of the poet, the imagination, to great effect. He opens up your options and leaves you to choose the poem's fate.

My dear mazHur, one thing I don't find myself doing much of is placing myself within the poem that I am reading, but in this you have succeeded. Your poem manifests idealism, yet accessibly; it still has currency. It also has that hint of nostalgia I wanted.

So, I declare the winner of this contest mazHur.

qimissung

03-09-2009, 09:36 AM

An excellent choice, Alakungfu; it would have been mine, too. Congratulations, mazHur!

mazHur

03-09-2009, 09:48 AM

Thank you very much, Ala, and Qim for your appreciation which I sincerely appreciate.

Here is the next picture

http://holypants.com/images/38.jpg
:)

~Sophia~

03-09-2009, 12:10 PM

Congrats mazHur! A wonderful poem and more than worthy of the Oscar! Your new photo should inspire some very interesting works!

Pendragon

04-12-2009, 09:50 AM

Committed

Something must die so that others can live,
It's the way of the world as sad as that is--
The world is divided between those just involved,
And those that are deeply committed
Think of it when you eat your ham and eggs:
A chicken was involved,
But the pig--the pig was committed...

Pendragon

Pendragon

05-25-2009, 09:17 AM

Are we having a contest here or should we just close the freaking thread?

mazHur

05-25-2009, 09:39 AM

Are we having a contest here or should we just close the freaking thread?

I think the theme has not yet 'stirred' the hearts of poets here. In any case the result has to be announced. If there are no more entries received by the close of this week I will have no choice but to declare the winner.

Maz

mazHur

05-25-2009, 09:49 AM

Here is a poem I just jotted down. Of course it is not for the contest.

The She Monkey!

when I was a little boy
my grandma used to tell me stories
one such story was about a she-monkey
who got stranded in a desert
carrying a couple of her kids
the hot sand began to scorch
when sun came overhead
there was no shelter
for the poor monkey mother
to shade herself or her kids
from the fiery heat
finally she lost control
her endurance began to fade
her motherly instinct died down
she lost her mind as if she had to
the excruciating heat of the roasted sand
was no more bearable
she threw down her kids on the burning sand
and stood over them
until they all burnt out and died
the she-monkey was saved
the urge for survival
surpassed all the principles
all religions, all creeds
even the motherly instinct!

mazHur

06-05-2009, 11:53 PM

Enough of waiting. Patience has tired out. The only poem contributed here is by Pen.
Since there is no other contestant it proves that Pen has got a walkover and is hereby declared the WINNER!!
Congrats Pen! The contest seems to have been too hard for our friends!

Pendragon

06-14-2009, 12:45 PM

Thank you, Maz.

The contest must go on. How about this picture? Feel free to be abstract or true to the story...

Good luck!

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l108/AbsalomKane/Newest/DavidGoliath.jpg

Captain Pike

06-15-2009, 10:06 AM

Dear active members of the picture poetry thread:

Please don't give up on this thread. I read with interest the work that is posted here. I would like to contribute, only, YOU GUYS ARE GOOD! One of these days though, I'm going to press the enter button, cringingly.

--Cap'n

alakungfu

06-15-2009, 03:38 PM

Out of the lungs of Goliath
Into the terms of David
The air sizzled
Between the rivals
And the neighboring crowd
As Destiny struck
Its cowering note
Of alternative anticlimax
After the hero lost his footing
To ignorant fears and dumb luck.

Pendragon

06-18-2009, 07:45 AM

Thanks, alakungfu! Contest ends, one way or another, on July 15th. Please people! This thread is dying for lack of poems! :bawling:

AdoreroDio

06-20-2009, 12:25 AM

My heart beats
one, two, three, four, five
steady now
wildly it continues
but a boy
they whisper
doomed
death awaits us all
a challenge
nothing
in the sight of the lord
a giant
they say
while cowering in fear
one, two, three, four, five
great warriors run
before his mockery
but I am no great warrior
the youngest
of my brothers
I am the Shepard
I protect my flock
from bears
from lions
from giants.
one, two, three, four, five
stones I choose
smooth
deadly
Am I dog
that you come at me
with sticks
and stones?
Sticks and stones
don't break bones
he continues to throw
words at me
the boy will die
they whisper
the war is lost
we are dead
I will stand
I will swing
one, two, three, four, five
times round my sling goes
One stone flies
between two beady eyes
three breaths
four prayers to my God
and a man
five times my size
five times my strength
five times my fame
is defeated by
one stone.
one God.
one boy.
My heart beats wildly
as I stand in the sun
one, two, three, four, five

qimissung

06-21-2009, 07:14 PM

How is it, Lord, that you created love
And the seeds of love that results in
The miracle of life, each cell with it’s
Own name and use, that form hands
And eyes and minds and thoughts that
Can, in themselves discover universes
That cares for those weaker than themselves
Makes beautiful music and stories and art; that with
All that we have to give, we got it all from You

And how is it, Lord, that you created hate
And the seeds of hate and fear that results
In destruction of infinite variety,
War and torture, lies and betrayals, and
The willingness to abscond with the life
Of another; to forget that there is enough
Land and food and power, enough of
Everything if only we will share

And how is it, Lord, that there are plants
That cover the earth in an emerald garden
Our brothers and sisters, majestic animals
that walk and fly and swim over all the earth
Mountains to be conquered and divided
By man who seems to believe he is the ruler
Of all, who forgets that it is You who
Has dominion over us, that we must not
Use our mighty power to conquer but to care

Please, Lord, do not let You become
insignificant so that we think, in our
Goliath arrogance, that we can be the
Lord of all; let us not forget to be
David, humble and small before You

mazHur

06-22-2009, 03:20 PM

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l108/AbsalomKane/Newest/DavidGoliath.jpg

David and Goliath
by mazHur

Have a heart, brothers
worry not
God is with us
He'll open the knot.

Weaker as we are
Our faith is strong;
the day will follow
what if night be long?

Fear not the devil
have faith in God's mercy;
He will come to your succor
just wait and see.

He only gives power
to the weaker and upright;
for the arrogant and cruel
He brings but plight.

By His mercy and grace
I will go alone to fight
Goliath, the truculent giant
have a heart and sit tight.

Give me my sling and a stone
I am ready to face the brute;
from heavens above I can hear
the beast turned dead mute.

Come, Goliath, try your hand
for the first and the last time;
this battle will ultimately decide
that the weak are strong in God's clime.

Laughing at the little boy, David
the beast advanced to kill him
drunk with the wine of his strength
staggering in his pride and whim.

In God's name, David reached him,
hurled his sling with a deadly aim
at the crude's weakest zone
and lo! the beast fell like a tame!

The strong was instantly killed
the weaker came out victorious
God smiled from the heavens above
and proved Himself thus.

alexar

06-22-2009, 04:18 PM

So I roar out my challenge...
and oh god look.
Coming up the hill,
out of the enemy lines.
He’s just a little boy.
Kind of pretty too.
Knitting his brows at me. Fierce.
Brave, and scared also.

So what do I do now?
If I kill him – even
if I kill him quickly –
They’re going to hate me for it.
Both sides will hate me.
The king himself will hate me.
The women too will hate me.
History will hate me.
No glory here.

I called out Saul himself,
And look who they send me.
Cowards. An insult. Cowards!
But also it’s good strategy.
A fight I can’t win.
Clever, Saul, clever.

We’ve been waiting weeks and weeks,
Facing one another
across this ashy nothing.
Piling stones a little higher,
Lighting fires at night,
Sleeping on the sand,
Waiting waiting waiting,
Hot, thirsty, numbed.
It’s no kind of war at all –
and so I thought, enough of this,
And I sent out the challenge.

And now I have this pointless
combat on my hands.
This will settle nothing.
He isn’t going to kill me,
not even if I want it.
He can’t. How could he?
Oh god. I guess
I’ll have to let him win
A pass or two, and then
Try and make it look like
I didn’t mean to do it.
Still it will settle nothing,
And my good name dies with him.
My fame dies with him.

Poor little kid.
Why did they send him to war?
What was his mother thinking?
Maybe no-one likes him.
Surely he didn’t choose this?
Wait, he’s shouting up to me.

Hey, big words for a little kid.
Not scared any more.
Talked himself up some courage.
Good. If he keeps this up,
He’ll make himself a warrior,
an adversary worth killing.
Keep it up kid.

Okay. I’ll draw my sword.
Two hands on the pommel,
I’m holding it down in front of me,
looking along the length of it.
Now I swing it around,
Over my head and back.
Let him see it flashing.
Come on kid, get it over, and maybe
You won’t feel it at all.

He’s stopped, gone quiet, standing there.
What’s he doing? What’s that
he has in his hand? A stone?
A stone? What’s that for son?

I shake my lion’s head at him,
And deep down inside me
something starts to rise
From a dark red place,
Like something you know in your muscles,
in your veins, your heart, your lungs,
and in your head, your lion’s head.
And I throw back my great mane
and I laugh at him. Long and deep.
My great gaping roaring
lion’s head. My head.

Pendragon

06-23-2009, 07:41 AM

Whew! And I may only choose one... Great poetry everyone! :thumbs_up

autolycus

06-29-2009, 01:37 AM

I have such stupid brothers.
They could not wait to pass
the sheepwatch duties on to me
and get out of the grass.

I am smarter and I learnt.
A five-pound lump of stone
and a leather thong, ballistics
and boredom set the tone.

Israel is full of morons.
They're all archers, you know.
To stand and fight in armoured might?
A stupid way to go.

Why is everyone surprised?
Twenty-five centuries
more and Isaac Newton will lay bare
the force-fed mysteries.

Radial acceleration
And a single solid rock.
The book won't ever really say
Goliath died from shock.

alexar

06-29-2009, 04:09 AM

:lol::lol: love it, nice one.

Pendragon

07-16-2009, 08:15 AM

And the winner is:

AndyDio!

That repeated line:

one, two, three, four, five just did it for me!

autolycus

I loved that line

Goliath died from shock

alexar

Great wording here:

So what do I do now?
If I kill him – even
if I kill him quickly –
They’re going to hate me for it.
Both sides will hate me.

Maz

Fear not the devil
have faith in God's mercy;
He will come to your succor
just wait and see.

Words to live by...

qimi

Please, Lord, do not let You become
insignificant so that we think, in our
Goliath arrogance, that we can be the
Lord of all; let us not forget to be
David, humble and small before You

Very inspired! Have you ever thought of public speaking?

alakungfu

After the hero lost his footing
To ignorant fears and dumb luck.

Kind of a dim ending to an otherwise great poem...

So AndyDio may choose the next picture

Thanks to all who entered. With such great poets, I feel small and insignificant.

Love,

Pen

mazHur

07-16-2009, 01:38 PM

Congrats, AndyDio! !

alakungfu

07-16-2009, 04:06 PM

Congratulations from me, too, AndyDio.

qimissung

07-16-2009, 04:45 PM

And me too, AndyDio. I LOVED your poem, the immediacy of it, the suspense, the way you shaped the narrative were all most excellent!

autolycus

07-17-2009, 10:10 AM

Congrats AndyDio! The rhythm of the numbers sounded like that sling going round and round... :)

AdoreroDio

07-20-2009, 02:48 PM

Thanks everyone! I'll post the next picture asap- I want to make sure it is perfect!

AdoreroDio

07-22-2009, 01:26 AM

Here is the next picture, do your best, I look forward to reading all the entries!

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x12/adorerodio/IMG_4356.jpg

Pendragon

07-23-2009, 11:40 AM

One of my older ones, but it seems so to fit the picture...

Carpe Diem

He wakes me up before the alarm clock rings,
And I rub my eyes and groan and grumble;
But he shouts, “Hey, Dad! Let’s do something!”

He goes downstairs, and starts to sing,
While, wondering if I actually got any sleep for my cloths I fumble.
He wakes me up before the alarm clock rings!

He plays cat’s cradle with a piece of string—
While I have my coffee—black and strong! A double!
But he shouts, “Hey, Dad! Let’s do something!”

He’s off again, like a new fledged bird on wings!
I rub my eyes, and stretch, yawn and stumble.
He wakes me up before the alarm clock rings!

Sighing inside, I try my best to keep up with his youthful springs,
Mouth ever ready to shout: “Keep out of trouble!”
But he shouts, “Hey, Dad! Let’s do something!”

Ah, wretched time! What a curse the passing years bring!
Now my son is the one watching a little son blow bubbles.
But I remember how He woke me up before the alarm clock rang!
And shouted, “Hey, Dad! Let’s do something!”

Pendragon
1996

rabid reader

07-23-2009, 12:21 PM

Whales

Ah, the rough and tumble sea.
The knowledge of your soul
Entering it to be dipped upon
When it is deemed necessary.
But I a young child at play
Have a way to see the sea.
An entrance to your ideas
But traverse as the oceans of ones mind.
To live in the sea must be tragedy.
To dance at the whim of mind, is
Dangerous and reckless.

breathtest

07-23-2009, 02:40 PM

foam waves
child running
blank sky
like a canvas

laurahws

07-23-2009, 02:58 PM

Today I run. Thin arms streaking back-forth,
Feet flat-slapping the hard, wet sand, frothing
My back with spray. Breath ragged, my throat smarts
With sharp salty air, heightens this moment
In dizzy sensation.

I am an athlete! Blood pounding in ears
Echoing the starting gun, roaring with
The waves. Heart beating large, loud, in my chest,
Pulling it forwards so fast my legs blur
To keep up. Fling back my head, I can fly!
Oh to be alive!

The sea, though, raising up his great white head,
Heaves a seaweed sigh. Through his ageless watch
How often have familiar feet, once free,
Returned, but bearing shoulders bowed and bound
By phantoms of lost innocence? He knows
Such joys as mine are fickle as the tide.

And someday my return must be, I fear,
With sandled socks, where foam-drenched feet have splashed,
And face slack-skinned, once by sensation swelled.
But not this day – today my heart could burst
And I shall soar and dance and throb with life.
Today I must run.

AdoreroDio

07-27-2009, 07:00 PM

Great start everyone! I can already tell this will be a difficult job for me to choose. I'd like to give plenty of time for more people to write and I've come up with a deadline I think would be a great day to end the entries- my birthday! So...

The deadline is August 16th everyone!

Write on my fellow poets!

PoemsEulogy

07-29-2009, 02:14 PM

I laugh, laugh
While I’m so young that I may laugh
Because I don’t know what it is to be breath-taken
I run, run
While my back is still aligned,
Because mother always makes me drink my milk.
I play, play
While I still remember how
Because the sand is like the gravel and the waves are like a slide.
I do what I will do
While the world around me’s mine
Before I’m old enough to learn how small I am.

AdoreroDio

08-11-2009, 01:50 PM

Hey everyone- just a reminder, only a few more days to go!!!!!!! Pick up your pens, stretch your fingers across your keyboards and write my fellow poets!!!! :]

mazHur

08-13-2009, 11:16 PM

Waves In a Water Cage
by mazHur

Like a lion in a cage
you will remain confined
to the surface of the Sea;
Oh, waves! With all your fury
you'll remain tamed
in the surge of water;
I will keep watching you
like people watch beasts
imprisoned in cages
of concrete and steel
which they can't get out from;
you too, angry waves, relax
I am young and beyond your reach
come with full force if you can
my legs are strong to outrun you;
you may be strong but I
can tame the smaller beastly
ripples and wade;
perchance you lost your mind
and tried to catch me
I bet you will fail,
and even if you broke your limits
you won't get me;
I am young and strong
my legs are brisk
my moves are rapid
better not foam and flash,
come on, catch me;
catch me if you can,
I am running and can escape
from your aqua clutches;
I know you will ultimately
get exhausted, sloth and slumber
at low tide
when all your dutch courage
borrowed from boozy full moon
would be gone!

ampoule

08-14-2009, 09:17 AM

Siren

The way you lick my toes and lap at my feet,
You cool and refresh and I jump back,
Daring you to come closer, to grab me and take me away,
But I have no time to wait, I'll go alone,
You tempt me with castles but I don't need one,
Instead, I beat my chest, raise my arms, and run,
My feet just touching all those million billion white hot coals,
And there is no end in sight, until I hear your voice, faint,
Over the salty wind, calling me back, and I stop, turning,
To face my speedy journey, to trace it, to savor it, slowly.

ampoule, August Fourteenth, TwoThousandNine

AdoreroDio

08-17-2009, 03:14 PM

Okay- no more poems! I'll post the results soon, before tomorrow if I can.

This is a hard choice! :banana:

AdoreroDio

08-19-2009, 01:15 AM

Pendragon-

I definitely liked the repetition of “Hey, Dad! Let’s do something!” The contrast between the springing youth and the adult is great and I liked the change in the end. My favorite line was “He’s off again, like a new fledged bird on wings!”

Rabid Reader
I liked the classical sound the poem had, it reminded me of the timeless nature of the sea while it’s words pointed to it’s recklessness. Great line- “to dance at the whim of mind, is
Dangerous and reckless.”

Breathtest
The simplicity of your poem and its beat capture the picture’s spirit well, simple, elegant and quick.

PoemsEulogy

Your simple poem is beautiful. I like the repetition within it. I love the ending best “I will do I will do/while the world around me’s mine/before I’m old enough to learn how small I am.”

Mazhur

A masterpiece. This is a great poem. It captures perfectly the spirit of youth that defies the world and the oceans waves “catch me if you can.” For the other poems I stated a favorite line or part of the poems but with yours I cannot because each line is crafted equally well. Good job.

Ampoule

This a very well written poem. I love the line “Instead, I beat my chest, raise my arms, and run,” So well does this line capture the boys spirit! Good job. :]

Laurahws-
Wow. An amazing piece of poetry. You gave me a new view for the photo and yet at the same time captured exactly what I saw when I took it (for indeed I was the photographer). The rhythm to your poem is amazing and gives me the feeling I am the child running by the sea. I do not have a favorite line, instead a favorite stanza:

And someday my return must be, I fear,
With sandled socks, where foam-drenched feet have splashed,
And face slack-skinned, once by sensation swelled.
But not this day – today my heart could burst
And I shall soar and dance and throb with life.
Today I must run.

I had a very hard time deciding the winner- all of your poems are extraordinary but my choice was definite:
And the winner is Laurahws!

:banana::banana:CONGRATULATIONS!:banana::banana:

ampoule

08-19-2009, 09:03 AM

Indeed, a beautiful poem by Laurahws. Can't wait to see the picture she chooses. Congratulations!

laurahws

08-19-2009, 10:21 AM

Wasn't expecting that, there were some lovely poems there, so thank you:)

I'm in the middle of moving out of India after 6 months, so things are a bit hectic right now but I'll try to make it a priority to get a new picture up either tomorrow or the day after:)

Pendragon

08-19-2009, 10:48 AM

Congrads, Laurahws! I think yours would have been my choice as well. Very inspired! :wave:

mazHur

08-19-2009, 01:26 PM

Congrat Laura

I like this line
"Today I must run.''

as a whole your poem sounds sonorous being beautifully wrapped in
a flow of soft-sounding words.

Keep up the good work!

PoemsEulogy

08-20-2009, 03:52 PM

Yay! Good job. Can't wait for the new one.

laurahws

08-21-2009, 12:49 AM

Right, here's the image I've decided on (I hope it comes out ok-I've never posted a picture on a forum before, bit of a novice!)

Hope you like it and happy poetry writing!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3651/3520485874_84868daf8b.jpg?v=0

Pendragon

08-26-2009, 12:31 PM

Madonna

It still looks the same, in every land,
No color nor creed need apply
A mother with baby held tightly in her hands
Gently responding to the tiny cry—
Whatever the need, she’s there to supply,
With loving care and tender heart—
She loves baby so much, she’d be willing to die
To see that little life gets a new start…
Oh, you see, she takes her life from man,
But in some seemingly magical way
She turns right around, and gives it back again
Each time she has a new child on the way—
And who is to say if her child in purple all swirled:
Will grow up to save or destroy this world…

Pendragon
© Wednesday, August 26, 2009

alakungfu

09-04-2009, 01:44 PM

The story unravels

The rumour key travels

Collecting dust in the gravels

Since the Siren of Eden.

She fled in sheer eloquence

From meaning and consequence

Rather than choose ignorance

Misconstruing into the heathen.

The Siren emerged

And philosophies converged

And the waters purged

As Noah threw in his hand

Who lost his head

When the legend wed

Her true love, call him Fred,

In the desert sand.

NickAdams

09-04-2009, 03:20 PM

O, Pauper, Pleione and Prince:
Through passed and foretold greivence go,
With the majestic Helm of Hades,
Within the horns unknown.

O, Vigilant Valor Ventifact:
With a shroud between thee held,
Thy dreaming Hope and Innocence,
And thy currency unveiled.

O, Pauper, Pleione and Prince:
Though the burden heavy be,
With pride the weight sustained
Mother, child and thee.

mazHur

09-04-2009, 07:55 PM

Femme par Excellence
by mazHur

In the scheme of divinity
nothing is more pretty
than a mother and her baby.

Rejoice buds in the garden
flowers bloom and smarten
gorgeously become a fruit-laden tree.

Who nourishes the billions there?
Who cares for the clad and bare?
Mother Earth, yes, it's she.

A mother is not just a woman
she isn't just the mate of a man
but a femme par excellence,surely.

An embodiment of love is she
her baby's world, a world of her baby
Who could surpass her than Queen Mary?

The Almighty chose a woman
to bear a son without a man
setting an example of motherly superiority.

Nurtured by the motherly sea
a grit smiles with silver glee
in the womb of an oyster's benighted blee.

Purer than the love of a man and a woman
Is the love of a mother notwithstanding season
O Mother and child! Blessed be thee!

-----------------------oOo--------------------------------

PoemsEulogy

09-04-2009, 10:57 PM

Life in my arms,
My life in
My arms

This is the most that I will ever mean.

Protector, and what else is there?

Full of knowledge, inspiration
And milk.

His life in
My arms.

My life.

Dark Muse

09-13-2009, 01:33 PM

The Lioness

Upon dusky hot nights
sweet memories made
beneath the saffron skies,

those eyes
which pierce into the soul
boldly looking straight on
a lioness lying inside.

A tender touch,
heart beating with the rhythm
of a drum, whispering
of the purity of love,

but there remains
a warrior's soul
that will not stifle inside.

For her pride and joy
the willingness to fight and die,
power rippling inside,

and on quiet nights
murmurs and kisses
offered in caressing reassurance.

Standing against the desert
in harmony of impendence
and maternal gentleness.

NickAdams

09-16-2009, 05:16 PM

I'm ready for the next picture. Any clue on deadline?

Dark Muse

09-16-2009, 06:27 PM

I didn't see one posted anywhere, which is why I went ahead and posted a poem becasue it looked like it was still open.

laurahws

09-23-2009, 02:28 PM

Hey! Sorry guys, things have been very hectic for me recently, but I've taken note of the poems and I'll post the results tomorrow if that's ok!

NickAdams

09-23-2009, 04:08 PM

Take your time. Just wanted to know if you were still with us. :)

mazHur

10-08-2009, 07:08 PM

Hey! what's happening??
When do we expect the result?:cold:

Pendragon

10-13-2009, 07:42 AM

Hey! what's happening??
When do we expect the result?:cold:Amen to that! What gives?

mazHur

10-28-2009, 10:44 AM

Amen to that! What gives?

will this contest ever see the light of day???:argue::(:cold:

AdoreroDio

11-07-2009, 03:59 PM

*bump*

*sad face*
Will the contest ever continue?

mazHur

11-07-2009, 04:10 PM

*bump*

*sad face*
Will the contest ever continue?

already enormous delay has been caused...why not ask any moderator to judge and announce result?:yawnb: :)

Dark Muse

11-07-2009, 06:06 PM

Yes, I think that Laura has gone MIA

Pendragon

11-09-2009, 09:18 AM

Agree with Maz. Why not, say, Night for an impartial judge? :eek2: With Laura MIA and all... :(

Pendragon

11-17-2009, 09:10 AM

I declare Nick the winner for his delightfully used alliteration. Congrads !

Next picture please, Nick!

NickAdams

11-19-2009, 06:44 PM

Thank you and without further delay:

http://blog.oregonlive.com/visualarts/2008/01/large_baltermants.jpg

Pendragon

11-22-2009, 08:38 AM

Baghdad Bolthole

It’s dark down here in the rubble—
The wind hisses like a serpent through ruined walls
We had no quarrel with the enemy,
We were simply in the line of fire
Most of our processions burned on the death pyres of the war
Yet we have hope, which for the moment is personified
In this old piano, slightly out of tune
Our lives are like that, slightly out of tune to a world
That calls us “collateral damage”
In conflict that knows but one Lord and Master—
Grim Reaper, what hath thou wrought…

Pendragon
© Sunday, November 22, 2009

NickAdams

12-03-2009, 03:07 PM

Anymore?

tailor STATELY

12-03-2009, 05:00 PM

a modern knight's tour

war black and white stares
duty death fear remorse hate
find peace where you may

© tailor STATELY 12/3/2009

NickAdams

12-03-2009, 09:40 PM

And then there were two.

Dark Muse

12-03-2009, 11:23 PM

Dark Days

Memories of you
of what you have been through
of what once you were
haunt me
for the pain
that you took away
from those smoke-filled
blood and fear days.

Always between us
this part of you
forever beyond my reach,
however much I strive
I cannot reconstruct
the ruins in your mind
now filled with bad dreams.

But you may feel me close
my voice in your ear
my presence
surrounding you
to try and ease away
the echoes of gunshot
that ring true
with the skull-grins
and dead eyes
mocking
through the sleepless nights.

May my love
burn like a candle flame
through that darkness
of your past
which flash like photographs
that will never fade away,
but I will never cease
with sweet kisses
and words of comfort
gentle touches
to quiet those
screams.

MGK

12-03-2009, 11:40 PM

Very inspiring picture! made me think of the film "the pianist"

The youth blanky glances
through where once was a wall,
seated before the object
of the peace, before the fall.

Clad in uniform martial
and dedicated, in cause;
the youth plays piano,
for once, without a pause.

His comrades stop their banter,
the rubble stoops to hear;
what could be mankinds only
possible escape from fear.

Has it been but a day?
Or far more than a year?
However old the youth may grow
to here he shall always be near.

And as the rifle is slung
over each willing shoulder,
the youth touches a last note
that he might hear, should he become older.

alakungfu

12-04-2009, 03:55 PM

Aerie and fairie and fluffee and floss,
The future in essence belongs to us.
We sift and discover it,
Part ways to deliver it,
And circumnavigate that which we have dislodged.
Ode to the resilient,
Ode to the wise,
We spend our life retaining
The rote they have dispensed
And narry a regret have they despaired.
My horse for a future
I decry to the stars!
What is their's is my right,
I'll assert solemnly
To the knaves within the range that I'll smite,
And I'll pilfer the peasants
And sequester the virtuous
For want of an edict
That they would mine accost!
All for this a glorious captive audience,
And the tribute shall follow.
The horseless troops back to the citadel,
Supported in the hearts
Of the prostrate multitude
Who partake of their rigorous rewards,
The common lists of spoils.

NickAdams

12-07-2009, 04:56 PM

That's enough to set a deadline: Dec 13

DanielBenoit

12-08-2009, 01:31 AM

Very inspiring picture! made me think of the film "the pianist"

Oh definitley :nod:

I suppose I'll join in.

Century Rolls

Keys in tune, century rolls through the cities like
The Gestapo tanks through Moscow.
Like Siberia in the cold, dead snow;
Christmas, was that time of year
In which Lenin was God and
God stood in Red Square

1919
Century rolls.

like ghettos of Stalingrad
these pieces and blocks of memory;
like stars in the sky, you were
so small you could hardly breathe.
These fumes of spring's rite.
Rachmaninoff, the piano is out of tune
Out of place, In memory.

MGK

12-14-2009, 07:23 PM

the deadline has come and gone .. new picture please!

NickAdams

12-15-2009, 02:04 PM

I will announce the winner this evening.

NickAdams

12-15-2009, 03:21 PM

MGK

I enjoyed both the narrative and rhythm of the poem, which I found to be quite similar to The Night Before Christmas, but it was the final stanza that won me over. The use of "willing" was particularly interesting.

Pendragon:
Your opening line made this first-person poem hauntingly immediate.

tailor STATELY
Short but effective. The lack of punctuation gives the impression of words thrown together, but a closer look highlights the process of "A Modern Knight's Tour".

Dark Muse
Very interesting. It reads very personal. You definitely used the image as an inspiration, but made it a backstory of the the person addressed in the poem. Very nice take.

alakungfu
Your poem went clear over my pumpkin.:brickwall

DanielBenoit
I enjoyed many of the lines:
"Christmas, was that time of year
In which Lenin was God and
God stood in Red Square"

" ... you were
so small you could hardly breathe."

"Rachmaninoff, the piano is out of tune"

But, I found the similes too spoken word for my taste.

DanielBenoit

12-15-2009, 03:47 PM

Yay, congratdulations MDK! The rhythm is curious, a bit like a lulliby to me, but a very nice juxtaposition as it reflects the image in which there is brief comfort in a time of chaos.

Dark Muse

12-15-2009, 07:13 PM

Congrats go MGK, great poem

Dark Muse[/B]
Very interesting. It reads very personal. You definitely used the image as an inspiration, but made it a backstory of the the person addressed in the poem. Very nice take.

I was worried that my poem might have abstracted from the photograph a bit, but it did take me to a very personal place.

MGK

12-16-2009, 11:53 AM

wow, thanks for the winning vote nick! and thanks for the congratulations, daniel spotted exactly what i was trying to bring across.

Pendragon

12-17-2009, 09:03 AM

Congrads, MGK! Next picture?

Pendragon

01-05-2010, 10:56 AM

Hello! Anybody out there going to put up a picture? Hello!

DanielBenoit

01-05-2010, 12:02 PM

:confused:

MGK hasn't logged on since the 22nd.

DanielBenoit

01-05-2010, 08:51 PM

There should be some kind of rule here about posting pictures, like if you don't post within a week then the picture is given back to the previous poster.

Off-topic comment: Really nice avatar Pendragon :cool:

MGK

01-06-2010, 12:51 PM

i post the picture? i thought the threadstarter does :?

Dark Muse

01-06-2010, 02:03 PM

i post the picture? i thought the threadstarter does :?

Oh no, it is always the person who wins that than posts the next picture.

MGK

01-06-2010, 08:43 PM

my bad! i'll post one up asap

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q250/Steel6/urban_jungle_by_otsego_amigo.jpg

artwork by otsego-amigo.deviantart.com

Dark Muse

01-10-2010, 01:43 AM

The Eye of the City

Among the chaos my eyes are drawn
to a splash of crimson
which signifies
as an electric angel
winking without
blinking an eye.
From this perception
I descend below from the heights
in sweeping blows
upon your dusty wings,
where order begins to arise
and I see patterns
and different shades of color
where once I thought
it was all just cast in hues of beige.
You awaken me from your stoic throne
atop a pillar not made of salt or sand
but glass reinforced by steal
the new king and symbol of mans
desire.

qimissung

01-10-2010, 03:03 AM

Ah, there it is
I see it now, on the horizon
the city of my dreams
a tangle of gold and silver civilization
hovering on the edge of my consciousness,
devoid of life
I have only to reach out
a finger to touch it
and the spark will fly from me
to its liquid latent core,
and it will spring to life
all full of torment and evil and despair
and lost humanity
what will they see
but others like themselves?
the golden beauty that has
grown around them as invisible to the
eye as a grain of sand
green cannot abide here
but dawn lingers
floating on roseate wings
and hoping that man will look up
with eager eyes and see
what he has wrought

Qimissung

MGK

01-11-2010, 01:46 PM

two brilliant entries! difficult choice already, i wonder what the next poets come up with.

deadline: 15th of january

DanielBenoit

01-11-2010, 06:54 PM

(play record)

I like to drink
the brown water

and

eat the sky

and

make bets
on horses
and
eat cherry pie

i once climbed mount everest
until i found that i was climbing the sears

step-by-step

drip-by-drip

I am God in my apartment
and when I bring mice over
They call me God

I once stood at the top of a building
Between the land and the sea
And everyone down below thought I was going to jump

I've injected herion on 3rd Avenue
But never on 5th, I'm not ready for fifth

I go to St. Mary's for some reformation
they smile under their Black Veil
and pass me the paper cup

smile, grainy
old

grandmother

smile, my city