Minimalist Poetry Contest

[Pendragon]

Congratulations!

[cacian]

Thank you YesNo and congratulations to Breathtest!

[breathtest]

Thanks guys. I really liked all the other poems so it was stiff competition as always! Thanks YesNo for appreciating mine enough to select it.

The topic for the next one will be IDENTITY.

I'm thinking of the 31st March as a deadline, but if anybody thinks a week longer than that would be better then just let me know.

[YesNo]

Keeping Things Straight in the Midst of an Argument

I am I, and, well, you're you.
We've proven it when fighting, too.

[cacian]

identity identity
do you have it to speak for thee?
for I know who I am to be
I know my name with clarity
I only speak with verity
and radiate sincerity!
from here and on
I am the one
that pride myself all merities
my brevity thou speakest for me!
identity identity!
have you others ,something to add ?
speak now or else hold on to thee!

[Pendragon]

who am I?
why?
does it matter?
I am me...

[moonbird]

i?
not i.
you.

[MystyrMystyry]

the invisible girl caught
her reflection in the mirror
looking back at herself

neither recognised the other

[Dark Muse]

Me, Myself & I

Caught between
self, I am divided
against myself.

There is no me
only a we.

Living many
secret lives
which to me
remain a mystery.

Am I the reality?
or am I the dream?

[tailor STATELY]

Eternal Happiness

Exaltation improves
upon the achromatic
at its
maximum lightness
It forges the
ultimate identity...
That of a
lightness of being

Ta ! (short for tarradiddle),
tailor STATELY

[breathtest]

You have a week and a day. More entries please. I'm loving them so far

[jajdude]

The word is not the thing,
Nor does the mirror show more than a face.

[breathtest]

Yes, that's right, it's that time of the month again! I'm about to judge the winner so here it goes.....

YesNo - I thought that was a good, strong couplet.

Cacian - You're style of old English stuck out from the others.

Pendragon - Very minimalist. And I thought it had a good message, to stop searching so relentlessly.

moonbird - A good way of turning the question of self around.

Mystrymystry - I really like this piece. It was one of the runners up along with Tailor Stately's.

Dark Muse - I like your idea of multiple selves, and the questioning of which is real.

Tailor Stately - I enjoy the wise tone this poem takes. It seems to be almost a kind of Buddhist teaching.

jajdude - I got the implied message here that your identity comes from deeper places, and the word and the image mean nothing. A really great little poem.



So I think the winner just has to be jajdude. It was a tough call but a very deserved winner. Thanks for all the entries and congratulations jajdude!

[jajdude]

Thanks breathtest.

New topic: Work.

[YesNo]

Congratulations, jajdude!



Work

Sometimes we wish work went away
Unless we were laid-off today.

[tailor STATELY]

Congratulations jajdude !


Tailor Stately - I enjoy the wise tone this poem takes. It seems to be almost a kind of Buddhist teaching.
Thank you. There are many interpretation paths one might take from my modest poem: LDS, Zen, various apotheosis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apotheosis) genres, Mithrander's change after Khazad-dûm to name a few.


Work at Sea

A fisherman's toil
is beyond renown
But perhaps the wisest
of the ocean-wise
do it for the halibut (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halibut)

3/31/2012


Ta ! (short for tarradiddle),
tailor STATELY

[cacian]

work indeed
has nought to fear,
it shall come light
as you make way
to something dear,
a newer feel
a reason why
you should endear
ideas of your own afield,
light is the wheel
that spins your dreams
turns all your hopes to real wish
and
raise you up to a world
of art,
impressions
are true work
of will.

[moonbird]

Why work?
Why, when I needn't the money?
All I need is right here.
I can peer through my glass and see the room in amber,
Melting as the drops roll down,
Thick and heavy and golden.
I can see the smoke,
Breathe it in, in long sweet drags,
And they're free, because it's all around me,
And that's how I like it,
Free and easy.
Why work,
When money only buys me more of this?

[Pendragon]

Congratulations, jajdude!


cycle of life

earning
my daily bread
ain't as easy
as it used to be
work all day
play all night
youth
so elusive
age comes on
I slow down
one step closer
to the grave
work all day
complain all night
do it over
come next Monday...

Pendragon
(c) 2012

[MystyrMystyry]

Werk

Werk's for berks
Werkin's for gherkins
Werk's irksome
Werkin's jerksome

[jajdude]

Ok, 2 weeks is surely long enough to start a new, um thing. For me this one goes to mystyr because I laughed. I liked it even if it was silly.

YesNo did OK too.

I dunno, I look at these as needing to be short. I could be wrong.

Congrats mystyr

[Pendragon]

Warmest congrats mystyr mystyry

[MystyrMystyry]

Thankyou Jajdude and Pendragon. I like this challenge because it forces you to condense, condense, condense

This next will be - Moondragon

[YesNo]

Moondragon

Without her hair
She still looks hot.
She might fight fair--
Or maybe not.

[moonbird]

I saw the silhouette
Rising to the moon
Like the ghost of a moth,
Its wings beating down
Cold winter winds.

[BookBeauty]

Sliver of sylvan
Slithering silk
Soaring sanguine
Sleeping silver in the sky

[Pendragon]

A Moondragon
Breathes moonbeams
Not fire

[Delta40]

moondragon
dragoon
grandma
room
of
doom

[miyako73]

Bisexual Telepathy

Deflecting hits,
Parrying slaps,
With manly Thor
Or Phyla-Vell,
Platinum orgasm
Is all the same.

[Dark Muse]

Moon Dragon

The lunar eye
rises in the night

crowned Queen
of the starlit skies,

upon black wings
she descends

majesty defined.

[tailor STATELY]

Totality

The Moondragon
and Sundragon
When chance in
consummation's mete
Display their
betrothal ring
of Baily's Beads
Before and After
Totality

4/20/2012

Ta ! (short for tarradiddle),
tailor STATELY

[Pendragon]

Judge, please. This is rapidly becoming a lost thread.

[MystyrMystyry]

I've read and weighed, and tried to fault find - finally narrowed it to ease of reading and interpretation, would it stand without a title etc, and you all deserve special honours with no third place - it was hard, but-

Moonbird!

[tailor STATELY]

Congratulations Moonbird !!!

[Pendragon]

Congratulations Moonbird !!! A worthy win!

[moonbird]

Thank you! Next subject will be microscopic.

Deadline June 10. Good luck.

[YesNo]

Too tiny for my microscope
To verify it, still
The math may reinforce wild hope
That somehow it is real.

[cacian]

congratulations moonbird!

mircroscopic

in a tiny box
of takes
there sits a speckled
text
wrapped up in foil's
best
it shines a ray of light
whenever wakened
fast
in a tiny book of
lates
there goes a story
tale
about a box
that glows
in tiny cubic frecks
inside it
is magic
text
a tiny mystery haze

[Pendragon]

microscopic things inhabit
the eyebrows of humans so they say
yet what if we ourselves are microscopic
in whose eyebrows do we dwell

[Catamite]

deleted.

[MorpheusSandman]

Moments
So small that they
Slip by--never noticed
By those they make--humans, though they
Could see

[tailor STATELY]

µScopic

Great eyes stare down at me
A very blight of glaucous-blue
Focusing on my every whit
illumed bare from below

-----------------------------------------------------
* The above is my entry, but I had to continue below:


µScopic (continues)

But better this than my cousins
Whose quantum mass are slight
For they get set into a chamber
Watching bosons firing left an'...

gone

5/26/2012

Ta ! (short for tarradiddle),
tailor STATELY

[moonbird]

Reminder the deadline is June 10th. I would love to have even more entries before then.

[jajdude]

The small exists,
and eats us all.

[moonbird]

YesNo: Ah, the mysteries of a world we cannot see yet must somehow exist. A nice portrayal of this conundrum.

cacian: Very weird formatting yet strangely mesmerizing.

Pendragon: I now feel like a murderer for plucking my eyebrows. Interesting poem.

MorpheusSandman: An original take on my subject prompt.

Honorable mention jajdude: I really have no idea why I liked this, but I did. Certainly the most mimimalistic entry.

And your winner is........tailor STATELY: My inner particle physics nerd smiled while reading this one. Although I enjoyed the addition of the second half, the piece certainly didn't suffer by me judging only the first. Very nicely written.

[tailor STATELY]

Woo-hoo! Thank you moonbird.

Next subject: signs

Due date: June 30th

Ta ! (short for tarradiddle),
tailor STATELY

[YesNo]

Unexplainable, Meaningful Signs

They happen so coincidentally,
They knock my precious preconceptions free.

[Pendragon]

Stop. Go. Yield. Slow.
Beware of Fallen Rocks.
Slippery When Wet.
Merge. No U Turn. One Way. Curve.
Bridge Ices Over Before Road.
Detour. Men Working. Bridge Out. No Loitering.
Keep Off the Grass. Do Not Enter.
Dead End.

Pendragon
2012

[cacian]

signs
solemly written for comfort
idealy symbolised for redemption
glowingly glorified for mentions
knowingly and intensely captured and raptured
simply signifying falsoms

[Dark Muse]

Prophecy

The bird takes flight
a broken olive branch
destiny hangs in the balance
the blind prophet alone
reads the signs.

[tailor STATELY]

Deadline coming soon ! (6/30)

[moonbird]

The lightning flash
Of stormy skies
Reflects its truth
In dead men's eyes

Its dark and looming
Prophesy
Shines bright on deaf men
Doomed to see

The hour black
Of life's last breath
Is signed in storm-clouds
Gray with death.

[Bar22do]

Aging

Joints, he says,
ache like hell,
and he looks more
for his bed
than for company in it.
It must be it. :smile5:

(Jerusalem, June 30, 2012)

[moonbird]

The deadline has passed. Judge needed here.

[Pendragon]

The due date being long past, and having contacted Tailor by PM and receiving no reply, I throw out my own entry in this contest, and will find a winner from among those left. I told Tailor in my PM I'd do this, so she knows.

cacian, you're up! Congrats!

[cacian]

Oh thank you Pendragon I did not even know I won!!

Ok here is my next topic

SECRET

Good luck everyone!!:D

[YesNo]

Secret

Covert ops--
Black tie, black coat.
Heartbeat drops--
Red blade, red throat.

[Jeos]

Hello,the minimalist contest is still open...?

[cacian]

Hello,the minimalist contest is still open...?

Yes it is it starts today or it started earlier today and it is open for two weeks from today.
Are you thinking of taking part?

[Pendragon]

Secrets
whispered words
only when kept
remain secrets
hush

Pendragon
(C) 7/28/2012

[breathtest]

hush?
a secret is something
to be told
and shared, to be
kept alive
among the living.
a secret should not die.

[Jeos]

Indeed I am. Should I send it to you or should I just "post reply"?

[cacian]

Indeed I am. Should I send it to you or should I just "post reply"?

Post reply is fine.

[Jeos]

Today: me, him. Him:
- Child. Radiant child.

Our eyes meet -
me, him, radiant children

joy on the spot. Now
that he’s gone now

that there are no more children
neither he nor I… neither I nor he

I'm afraid of myself
I’m afraid for me –

for him - of him in me !
Now that he’s gone...

[Dark Muse]

The Seed

The secret seed
she swallowed
began to grow
spreading through
her extremities.

It's toxic fruit
grows heavy
and that which
she consumed
now consumes
her.

[Jeos]

God Dark that's really dark ! Highly self-desctructive...are you a Scorpius or what?!but "thou shalt be reborn from your ashes".

[Dark Muse]

God Dark that's really dark ! Highly self-desctructive...are you a Scorpius or what?!but "thou shalt be reborn from your ashes".

What can I say? I live up to my name. I am the Dark Muse. :D

I love William Blakes "Poison Tree" which helped inspire this.

[moonbird]

Whisper, my love,
Soft breaths in my ear
Words to tickle my heart
And caress my soul
Without shackles of meaning

Tell me your secrets
Pretend they aren't dark
With your voice light and sweet
And your fragrance in my mouth
And lips so warm

[cacian]

I think all entries are worthy winners they are all indeed eexcellent and it has been difficult to chose but since I have to only pick one I think it would have to be Dark Muse.
The piece has all the element of what a secret can be and what it may lead to!

Congratulations Dark Muse:hurray:

[Pendragon]

Congratulations Dark Muse! :iagree:

[miyako73]

Should it be "Its toxic fruit"?

[Pendragon]

Next contest, please, DarkMuse! :D

[Dark Muse]

Hey, sorry I have been on vacation just got back I will have the next one up asap.

[cacian]

Should it be "Its toxic fruit"?

I think it depends greatly on how you read it.
In this sentence by its own both are very correct.
Within the poem itself I would say it is an It's but whether Dark Muse sees it that way I do not know.

[Dark Muse]

Ok here is your next challenge, this time I bring you a picture. Have fun and be creative.

http://s2.hubimg.com/u/3230713_f520.jpg

[YesNo]

Awaiting a Transformation

Something's beading in a bowl,
Dropping from a former role.
What will it be tomorrow night
Transformed into some new delight.

[Pendragon]

Droplets in a bowl
Fruit or blood?
Point of view
Changes everything
N'est-ce pas?

Pendragon

[Bobbycrane]

Purple jizz
In a purple bowl
It dripped from
My big love pole

[cacian]

spherical round
it boosts in white
mixing it black
reving it pink
splash dashing
bright!

[Dark Muse]

YesNo: The first line your poem almost sounded like it could be something ominous, so I liked the more light hearted turn it ended up taking, which was not expected. As always I appreciate your humor and I liked the touch of mystery here.

Pendragon: I really liked the concept of your poem and the way in which it is left up to the reader to ultimately decide. I liked the alternating points of view offered and the question of perspective.

Bobbycrane: Well this was certainly different, I appreciate the bold frankness of it and the bit of fun. It was an original approach to the image.

And the winner is.....

cacian: I loved the beauty of the image you caught. I thought the first line was immediately gripping and I enjoyed the way in which you invoked the different colors. This was an elegant little poem.

[cacian]

Dark Muse thank you very much I am glad you enjoyed this piece!

[Pendragon]

Congrats, cacian!

[cacian]

Pendragon thank you!
Now for the minimalist poetry theme this time the chosen topic is:

silence

Have fun!!:p

[YesNo]

Off Go the Lights

It's dark and quiet in the cave.
The guide said he'd turn off the light.
When space collapsed inside my mind,
The silence hugged me through that night.

[Dark Muse]

November Muse

Her cold winter fingers
circled around my throat,
how bitter she was,
at ineptitude.
(her's or my own?)

Obsidian eyes
bore through my soul,
denied even a whisper,
or a thought.

She demands
only death
for without my words
the muse has nothing
left.

[Pendragon]

can't get the screaming
out of my head
sometimes silence
is the loudest sound of all...

[Jaked]

she wore her silence like a shawl,
draped across her shoulders
defiant against the cold;
nevermind the heat,
his words harsh
flames that
cannot
melt
ice.

[DieterM]

I'm standing at the window,
counting hours, days, eternities,
oven-warm candlelight flickering,
and your silence weaving strings
that guide me like a puppet.

[cacian]

Ok here are the results for this entry.
I enjoyed every poem they are all brilliant but I have to chose just the one and the winning goes to

JAKED excellent piece of poetry.
Very well done!!

[Jaked]

Wow, thanks, Cacian! I enjoyed all of the entries!

The next topic is: falling.

The entry submission deadline will be Monday, 9/24.

[cacian]

JAKED this is a great topic thank you.

I will see what I can do!

[Dark Muse]

Icarus Dreams

He had Icarus dreams,
it was not for the flight
that he longed.

But the descent,
the freedom of the fall,
abandon, out of control,
between life and death.

For that one beautiful
moment, you gave yourself up
entirely.

[YesNo]

Falling

Through the patience of our hearts
Sorrows fall and grieving starts.

[Pendragon]

trap opens
he falls
rope snatches
sudden stop
bottom floor
death and damnation
exit all...

Pendragon
(C) 9/16/2912

[cacian]

drop the falling

end of day
fall commences
ruins drop
heavy load
light is road

[miyako73]

The End of Fall

I on the bed,
The last rain,
My stale tears,
His photograph,
The ring he gave
All painfully fell.

[Jaked]

Thanks for all the entries, all! I enjoyed reading each:

Dark Muse: From the title to the last line, I loved the imagery and the playful irony!

YesNo: Minimalist and profound!

Pendragon: you starkly nailed a fall - makes me sure that I hope that's not the way I go!

Cacian: a nice, minimalist take on fall!

miyako73: vivid, and sad!

Again, nicely done, all, but in the end there can be only one winner... And this time it is... Dark Muse!!! Congrats!!

[Dark Muse]

Thank you very much!

[Dark Muse]

Ok next topic is

"Storm"

[cacian]

Thank you very much Jaked and congratulations DarkMuse.

'storm' is a good topic.
Will think of something.

[Pendragon]

sky grumbles
first it cries
then gets mad
has a tantrum
throws things
large hail stones
bolts of lightning
the rage grows colder
ice and snow
there's no such thing
as a perfect storm

PENDRAGON

(c) 9/25/2012

[cacian]

storm
the tea cup
has blown
shattered
to its bone
the damage has gone
besides itself
and flown

[YesNo]

Storm

No need to worry. It will pass
And answer prayers of drying grass.

[Jaked]

Distant Earl Grey clouds brewing,
threaten to ruin tea time.


[ Interestingly, I wrote this before I saw Cacian's tea cup - funny! ;) ]

[moonbird]

Stormy-eyed girl
Who cries when it rains
And shudders at the
Thunder

Yet when the morning dew
Dances with early
Morning sunlight
And kisses her toes
She laughs
And the world sparkles

[MystyrMystyry]

As I strikes Mjölnir
Me trusty hammer
Against the clouds
Blue Valhalla roars
Onward to Asgard
Thor the Thunder
Lightning sparkles

[SkyCetacean]

This will be my first.

The Red Sea
The sea is split,
A path from spite.
The sea is lit
By thunder bright.
A sea spirit
Unmatched in might -
The tempest.

[Nitu]

Assault - Soul bleed (By – Nitu Nandan)

Suddenly the star fell one by one
Leaving the sky – naked.
O my holy Nandan
Your unexpected disappearance
...... From my life,
Without you I feel like a
Fade flower
The tears falling on the ground
Leaving me alone,
In search for you,
Emotion melted in my eyes,
Till the end of life.
memory on the screen of my heart

[Xillus_Xavier]

Nostalgia

An empty frame
displays a loss.

Tortured are the mournful eyes
that still can see
an image long departed.

[Pendragon]

Judge, please? :smash:

[Dark Muse]

It hasn't really been that long.

[Dark Muse]

Great turn out on this one, thank you everyone. I have to say this was almost impossibly hard. I was really torn between several different entrees and it was very difficult to make myself choose only one winner here.

Pendragon: I really enjoyed this one, I loved the way in which it blended touches of humor with evocative imagery. The first line caught my attention making me want to read more. And I quite enjoyed the end. This poem was playful and well crafted at the same time.

cacian: I like the way this shows the sort of aftermath of the storm and yet in one small way. I really enjoyed the line "shattered to its bone" I think there is something thought provoking in these short seemingly simple lines. A lot of possibilities is offered here in which the mind can be lead in many different directions.

YesNo: I particularly loved the last line of your poem and I liked the way in which this offered a different sort of perceptive suggesting the positive outcomes of which the storm may have.

Jaked: First of all amusing coincidence. I absolutely loved the first line which immediately grabbed my attention and had some beautiful and unique imagery, which was countered with this unexpected mundane occurrence which gave the poem a comical feeling.

MystyrMystyry: I loved the subject of your poem, and thought that all in all it was a very neat and precise form. It was a great example of the minimalistic style, as it packed a strong punch in those few lines. The only miner thing, in the first line "As I strikes Mjölnir" that sounds a bit awkward. Should it have been "strike" instead of "strikes?"

SkyCetacean: This was a very lovely poem. I really enjoyed your use of rhyme. It was beautifully written and I really enjoyed the imagery.

Nitu: I really enjoyed this poem. I liked the way in which you took a more abstract, and symbolic approach to the subject opposed to a literal interpretation as this seems to be suggestive of some inner turmoil and stormy emotions. I thought this poem was perfectly put together and every line worked brilliantly well.

Xillus Xavier: This is beautifully written and very emotionally evoative, though I feel as if perhaps the use of the intended subject "storm" was a bit obscure here, and I do not quite see the connection. But I very much enjoyed this poem and thought it was wonderful work.

And the winner is.......

moonbird: I loved your different approach to the subject. This was a beautifully crafted and elegant poem, as usual it had some wonderful and very captivating imagery. The first lines caught my attention right away, and I really loved the contrast in the next stanza in showing the morning after the storm has passed.

[cacian]

Dark Muse thank you and congratulations to moonbird!!

[cacian]

bump!

[cacian]

Anyone wants to take over from moonbird and set a new minimalist challenge?

[Pendragon]

I sent moonbird a PM and haven't heard back. Give moonbird until Monday, Southwest VA time. If no reply by then, I'll will start a new contest.

Pendragon

[moonbird]

So sorry for the delay! I have been very busy lately and haven't logged on here in quite some time.

Here is your next subject: "Hands and Feet." Let's set a deadline for November 15. Good luck!

[YesNo]

"Hands and feet,
Tasty, sweet."
Monsters belching.
Time to eat!

[Pendragon]

This Bone Connects to That Bone

Fingers, toes
Phalanges--Metacarpal, Metatarsal
Hand, wrist, arm
Knuckles, Trapezium, Ulna, Radius, Humerus
Foot, Ankle, Knee, Leg
Talus, Fibula, Tibia , Patellae, Femur
Posterior, Back, Neck
Pelvis, Lumbar, Thoracic, Cervical
Chest, Head
Ribs, Sternum, Jaw, Skull
Ashes to ashes

Pendragon
(C) 10/28/2912

[cacian]

hands and feet
let's not greet
our tasty treats
not just yet!!
it's time to play
a song of day
then will see
whether we care

[Jaked]

I held your hands
you looked at your feet
sunlight glittered
trickled down your cheek
connected apart
alone in our thoughts
living the death
of our own twisted plots

[jajdude]

They led me to you, you to me.
They let me touch you, you touch me.

[miyako73]

Gangrene

First, my fingers,
My palms, my hands;
Now, my toes,
My soles, my feet.

[prendrelemick]

Four feet and
Fifteen hands,
Thats one at each corner ,
And how tall he stands,
My pony.

[moonbird]

Sorry for the delay. This contest's winner is Jaked!

Congrats and I can't wait to see your next subject.

[cacian]

Congratulations Jaked!

[Jaked]

Thank you!

Our next topic is: breath

In order to keep things moving along, I will judge the entries on 11/30.

[Pendragon]

Nothing is quite
so essential to life
As breathe in
Breathe out...

[YesNo]

Enemies and friends enjoy their breath.
Eventually we merge as one in death.

[cacian]

respiratory exhilaration

from within
a surge
to want to breath
in purge
commence in a tense
to inhale and exhale
and all out is pale

[moonbird]

Felt her breath
Soft and warm
As nightingale plume
And sweet as
Sugary smoke

[breathtest]

like smoke
throwing itself from a ledge
in unobtainable suicide.
breath like smoke
throwing itself from a ledge.
vivid plume of breath
like smoke.
an ever rising
vivid plume of breath.
In my mind
an ever rising.

[jajdude]

Last breath came fast, too fast.
Heavy with spite.

[prendrelemick]

Breathing fast is pants.

[Dark Muse]

Breath

Stolen
from your lips
your life flows
into me.

[DieterM]

On your breath

Panted over my face:
Vodka and apple juice
Out of a crystal tumbler,
JPS purchased
At the Duty Free Shop,
The pre-scent of a kiss,
And six Forevers murmured
In the last ten minutes

[Jaked]

Thanks for all the entries! I enjoyed them all and picking a winner was tough!

But there can only be one winner, and this time it is: DieterM!!

I particularly liked the ending: "six Forevers murmured / in the last ten minutes." Nice job!

[cacian]

DieterM congratulations!!

[Pendragon]

Congratulations, DieterM !!

[DieterM]

Thank you, Jaked, I am most honoured!

For the next round, let's write about the

mirror.

To your quills, my friends.

Contest ends on Dec. 16th.

[Pendragon]

Upon Looking Into a Mirror

Refraction
Reflection
Contemplation
Reaction
Rejection
Depression

Pendragon

[YesNo]

Enemies like mirrors show
Our ugliness so we can see
The issues that we won't let go
And see the world more truthfully.

[cacian]

mirror the
heart of our dearest
vanity and self
it shall watch us
woe
look down on who
is probably better then it
mirror the image
of our rit
without us
is sit

[Dark Muse]

Mirror, Mirror

It speaks neither
truth nor lie
but even in silence
may beguile
reveling only
what the eye desires
to see.

[tailor STATELY]

Mirrors


With a
prescience
of spirit
when
kneeling
amoungst
the mirrors
I can sense,
ever so
sweetly,
children
with their
joyous
laughter...
and some
with longing
tears

12/13/2012

Ta ! (short for tarradiddle),
tailor STATELY

[jajdude]

The mirror shows what only glows,
and no one knows.

[prendrelemick]

It's
Risky
At my age,
To look in the mirror,
'Cos a stranger stares back.
Have the years been so unkind,
To leave my face so haggard and lined.

[moonbird]

Sitting by her bedside
I looked at her
She looked at me
With eyes like glass
And I saw myself
Reflected back at me
In those twin mirrors
That once held souls
And I realized
I was alone
In the room.

[DieterM]

Jeez, I'm late! And I hate being late, so my sincere apologies, must be a hormonal hibernation thing ;-)
Many a good entry here, and once again the task is very difficult! Can't you just submit crap, that would make things easier! LOL

But in the end, only one can "win", so this time I'll choose, and this despite a typo ("reveling" in line 5 should be "revealing", I gather)

*drumrolls*

Dark Muse

"Mirror, Mirror

It speaks neither
truth nor lie
but even in silence
may beguile
reveling only
what the eye desires
to see. "

[Dark Muse]

Jeez, I'm late! And I hate being late, so my sincere apologies, must be a hormonal hibernation thing ;-)
Many a good entry here, and once again the task is very difficult! Can't you just submit crap, that would make things easier! LOL

But in the end, only one can "win", so this time I'll choose, and this despite a typo ("reveling" in line 5 should be "revealing", I gather)

*drumrolls*

Dark Muse

"Mirror, Mirror

It speaks neither
truth nor lie
but even in silence
may beguile
reveling only
what the eye desires
to see. "


How embarrassing, and I usually proof read these like three of four times.

But thank you all the same.

[Dark Muse]

Ok your next subject is comedy and tragedy

8544



PS Can someone tell me how this new system works for adding pics into the post? I have tried both uploading from my computer and uploading with the URL and neither one actually work.

[cacian]

Dark Muse I have the same problem. I cannot download pictures.
Anyway nice topic.

[YesNo]

All plays will end. So will the one
We must commit to till it's done.

[cacian]

comically tragic
__________________________________________________ _________________________________

the tragic
the tacit
it's comedie tricks
with the added wick
see to fit
it lasts every bit.

[Hawg Horse]

☻☻ / ✞✞

Cain swiped little Abel’s leaf,
all to see the child’s beneath,
Adam grinned, boys will be boys,
even the serpent smiled.

Cain killed Abel, man to man,
coldly planned, blood on hand,
Eve screeched out the saddest noise
only the serpent smiled.

[Pendragon]

Today tragedy, tomorrow comedy
Laugh at your misfortunes
And so overcome

[tailor STATELY]

Masks

Those whose masks
a theatrical comedy
in enacting law
Distance themselves
from consequence
masking tragedy

12/26/2012

Ta ! (short for tarradiddle),
tailor STATELY

[Dark Muse]

Things have been hectic here and I am sure others have been busy I will give till the end of the week for this one. So Monday I will try and judge.

[Dark Muse]

Some great entries here. This was a hard one.

YesNo: Yours was certainly quite brief. I did really enjoy the way in which you left the question up to the reader, I like how this one is left open to interpretation of not knowing just how this play may end.

cacian: Quite precise with a lovely use of words. A small but well mastered poem. I quite enjoyed it.

Hawg Horse: I love the way in which you offer both sides in your poem. I like the two different perspectives provided in having both comedy and tragedy. A little bit of comedy which leads into a far greater tragedy. And I just loved the play on the last line in both stanzas.

Pendragon: I really like the sentiment behind this poem as I myself am known for finding humor in unlikely places, I agree with the idea of using comedy as a way of dealing with our tragedies. Very to the point, I enjoyed this interpretation of the subject.

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

tailor STATELY: I really like this one. I think it really captures the minimalistic form well. It is very to the point, and every word well placed and yet it conveys a depth of meaning in such few words. A neat well-crafted poem which is quite profound. I loved the concept of this one.

[cacian]

Dark Muse thank you and tailor STATELY congratulations!!

[Pendragon]

Way to go tailor STATELY!

[Hawg Horse]

Congrats Stately. Impressive arrangement. Succinct, with a hard punch. I learn from most all on this site. Enjoyed all the entries and the insightful Muse Reviews.

[cacian]

someone's needed here to start this contest anyone?

[Pendragon]

I sent Tailor STATELY a PM. Give her three days. If she doesn't start a new contest by then, I will.

Pen

[tailor STATELY]

Thank you !!! (and my apology for being elsewhere).

Next subject for minimalism:

Garden

Ta ! (short for tarradiddle),
tailor STATELY

[Hawg Horse]

I Love Eden, I Do

Jealous is my Garden
Of all who tend my time
But nare will I leave Eden
Though she pay no mind

[YesNo]

Beneath the redbud Lilian
Lay with her beau last night
While bushes hid and witnessed
Their bonding through delight.

[Pendragon]

Garden green
Commandment simple
Fruit looks luscious
Man falls, head over heels
It's been a long road out of Eden...

[cacian]

garden of eden
let it be heeden
love lost
is teeden
when beauty
and reason is out of season

[Twota]

The green beneath the blue.
A divine combination
no man could ever pursue.

[cafolini]

peanut butter and jelly
banana sandwich

[cacian]

peanut butter and jelly
banana sandwich

cafolini where is your garden?

[Dark Muse]

In the Garden of My Love

I implored you to Forget-me-not,
left behind colored in violet,
the taste of Nightshade upon my lips
while vines entwine around my heart.

[Hawg Horse]

Nicely done! I surrender. ‘Tis Gethsemane for me :)

[cacian]

Bump maybe time to judge?

[tailor STATELY]

Ok.

Times up !

I'm betwixt and between'd right now... will judge asap.

[tailor STATELY]

This was a hard contest for me to judge. That being said:

Hawg Horse - Eden: A jealous garden. "nare" caught me off guard(en): http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Nare :
1. Nare - slang for fire in Jamaican 2. The most amazing person in the entire universe... Hands down she is Pure Perfection. 3. The glare that shines off of nerd's glasses. Usually it shines so much off of the lenses it hurts your eyes.
and http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Nare : nostril

Perhaps: "ne'er" http://www.thefreedictionary.com/ne'er : "A poetic contraction of 'never' "


YesNo - A lyrical tryst beneathe the beautiful Red Bud tree.

Pendragon - Eden: "It's been a long road out of Eden..." my favorite line.

cacian - Eden: I'm not clear on "heeden" and "teeden", but they do add to your rhyme scheme.

Twota - I might have been tempted to leave off L3 alltogether.

cafolini - A sandwich at a picnic in a garden !

Dark Muse - Reminded me of an Haiku.

And the winner is:
Dark Muse !

Congratulations to all !!!

Ta ! (short for tarradiddle),
tailor STATELY

[cacian]

DarkMuse congratulations and tailor STATELY thank you :)

[Dark Muse]

Thank you very much, I will have the next subject soon, just have to think of something good.

[Dark Muse]

Ok next subject is

Duality

[Hawg Horse]

Like This v. That

Like pistol duel v. every dawn
Like Holy Father v. fallen son
Like two pistols v. the two be one
Like sure shot v. ‘ever gone

[YesNo]

Some say the choice is either-or
But others claim both-and.
Still others opt for neither-nor
Perhaps to bribe the gods for more
Than most can understand.

[Hawg Horse]

Luv it ... and with the title of YesNo, you should automatically win every duality duel, barring an entry from Maybe.

[cacian]

duality sides
both rank and mind
it is perfect sign
for health and time

[YesNo]

Thanks, Hawg Horse! I actually was thinking of yours trying to imitate the "v." between the options while writing the "-".

[Pendragon]

Good and Bad
Jekyll and Hyde
Frankenstein or his monster
Which is alive?
Angel or Devil
Maybe both. Who knows?
Somewhere in my mind
My duality glows...

Pendragon

[Dark Muse]

Great entries so far, deadline Feb 15

[cacian]

time's up right?

[Dark Muse]

Yes, I had meant to try and get the juding done today but got caught up in other things, so I will try to do it tomorrow.

[Dark Muse]

Ok thank you all for the entires

Hawg Horse: I really like the concept of this one. It was interesting and quite different though I did think that the use of pistols twice was a bit redundant and it made the 2nd line "Like Holy Father v. fallen son" feel like it was out of place since all the other verses revolved around guns and shooting.

YesNo: I really enjoyed this one, it had a bit of playfulness to it and a good flow. I really enjoyed the last two lines and thought they brought the poem together nicely.

Pendragon: I really liked this one, I enjoyed the Jekyll Hyde reference. I also like the way in which it is kind of a riddle proposed to the reader. The last two lines I thought were great.

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

cacian: I really enjoyed this one, and I think it captured the essence of minimalism very well. There is a great deal said within these few lines. Really liked the concept of the poem.

[Hawg Horse]

Congrats cacian. Praise from Dark Muse is no small feat. I liked your entry, as well.

[cacian]

Thank you both very much :)

And the new topic for this minimalist round is:

sensibilty

Good luck :wave:

[YesNo]

He's sensible, still he has fun.
When he freaks out and pulls out his gun,
With a rata-tat-tat
All the bad guys go flat
And the worst get more holes than just one.

[Hawg Horse]

No Real Mystery

Every Yearbook reads the same:
Sensibility, “most likely to financially succeed”
Why Be, “most everyone’s favorite fantasy”

[cafolini]

When you raise your middle finger
do not do it in vain.
Go into a private room
and test your own prostate.

[Hawg Horse]

winner, winner, winner

[Pendragon]

Sense and Sensibility

Sensibility is doing what others think makes sense
Ignoring all your own ideas and thoughts
One day you learn you've become the slave
Of those who claim to be in the know
Test their theories, search the scriptures,
Investigate the claim that they know what is best
Search your feelings, think it over carefully
Your own sensibility then will make more sense

Pendragon
(Copyrighted material)

[cacian]

anymore entries anyone haha:)

[cafolini]

Actors can play any role
without paying price or toll

[jajdude]

I doubt there's much sense in us,
but sure there's much defense in us

[cacian]

and the time's up and the deliberation are as follow:)

YesNo : I enjoyed your piece especially:

With a rata-tat-tat
All the bad guys go flat
there is almost tapping sound in it and the humour is great! the 'bad guys' reminded me of the 'big bad wolf' for some reason.

cafolini : the first piece a real eye-opener and thank you for putting it so cleverly. Poetry is clever. the second short and to the point.Very telling.

Pendragon: I enjoyed the expressions and the wisdom behind it. Very nice. I also liked the title. A Jane Austen twist is cool.

jajdude: An absolute cracker. Short and sharp. Very well done

I have enjoyed all entries and they are all first winners to me but there could only be one and the winning goes to
cafolini for the message delivered in the piece.
Many congratulations cafolini !!!:seeya:

[cafolini]

Thanks so much. Certainly, some of the other writings were also winners. I am only glad to win this because I am a minimal speaker in almost anything I write. I think the art of the minimal is to spell a few lines that contain a subject for further research and motivate that research wherever possible.
Thanks to all the winners who participated. Here is a present from my private reserve:

CONSEQUENT HISTORY

Anyone that ever wanted to fly
Had someone backstage warning about the perils of gravity.
Anyone that ever wanted to swim
Had someone backstage warning about the perils of currents.
Anyone that ever wanted to dance
Had someone backstage playing a funeral march.
Anyone that ever wanted to smile
Had someone backstage singing the wisdom of seriousness.
Every slave that wanted to be free
Had a bemaster backstage sleeping on mental laurels and incense.
Yet, the slave always learned by necessity
To put the bemasters to sleep forever in their bed of laurels and incense.
The wings of the museum are loaded with bemasters
Walking around like ghosts
Screaming through the windows from inside
The miserable wisdom returned to lullaby
Their sleeping pill for evermore:
“Rock-a-bye, baby, thy cradle is green;
Father's a nobleman, mother's a queen;
And Betty's a lady, and wears a gold ring;
And Johnny's a drummer, and drums for the king.”

[cacian]

Brilliant just to remind you that it is your return to suggest a topic for the next round :)

[cacian]

OK I think I will relaunch this one
Subject for this round is:

etiquette

Good luck:seeya:

[YesNo]

Etiquette's a courtesy
One undertakes when one can't flee.

[Adolescent09]

Etiquette
etches
Quixote's eddied
Ruefulness abreast
Lions


(note: Don Quixote in its latest English translation, is divided into two parts: Knight of the Rueful Figure and Knight of the Lion. This poem is already gibberish. Not knowing where it is derived from would make it even more 'gibberishy')

[Hawg Horse]

Capture/Sedate/Kill
Cool/Carve/Cook
Season/Bless/Serve

Cannibal Etiquette Well Preserved

[Pendragon]

Please. Thank you. After you, Sir.
Manners cost nothing, use them frequently

[Melanie]

tweet
twitter twitter
everyone's a critic
social media, speeding train
manners

[cacian]

OK Etiquette's Entries are up. All worthy of a win but only I must chose and so the winnigs goes to:

Melanie I liked the piece because it started with
tweet and ended with manners. It put a real spin to it for me anyway :p

Congratulations Melanie:hurray:

[Melanie]

YaY! Thank you cacian. Not bad for someone who has never tweeted ^_^

Okay, next subject is WINDOW and deadline is April 15th

[YesNo]

Washing windows in the walls,
Weeping as the squeegee falls.

[tailor STATELY]

Congratulations Melanie!

I was late to the party with this offering:


Etiquette

Etiquette
is a cut
above; an
elegance
of virtue
amongst
social
mores;
where one
seeks to
commune
with angels

3/20/2013 r.3/21/2013


... and here's my new entry:


Windows
Windows are a pane
(or two, or more)
A panoply of glass
against the rain
A port in the storm
sailing first class

3/21/2013

Ta ! (short for tarradiddle),
tailor STATELY

[Adolescent09]

My Eyes look into the window of Promise

From my two-balled pen
of quartz filled sand
The peddlar of Utopia
supplants my ink of faith
with a sketch of hope


---

I'm really tired right now, I've been up all night suffering the consequences of insomnia. I might revise this before the deadline.

[Pendragon]

Open to the soul
My windows invite peepers
Do I care what they envision?
Not any more...

Pendragon

[cacian]

The piece on etiquette is really fun tailor STATELY. :)


open
window
and see oh
how the wind blows
the fewer
the throws
the pleasure
the sows
there comes the slown
to close up the flown
and the wind is downed
to a window's lowened

[phoenixtears]

Prisoner's request

The prisoner said to the warder tall
I need a window on my wall
to look at the world so cruel and mean
that makes my crimes look so pristine.

[Dark Muse]

Window Watcher

Fractured realities ,
watching worlds pass by
a voiceless face,
unseen but all seeing,
disembodied presence.

Strangers
who remain nameless
become intimate acquaintances,
but always out of reach.

Truth and lie
lose definition,
there are only segments
of what their lives may be.

[Melanie]

Quick reminder...the deadline for the Minimalist Poetry Contest is tomorrow. "Window" is the subject. Since it's minimalist then you might have time to pull one together. There are 7 exceptional entries so far, all worthy of a win!

[Melanie]

The Minimalist Poetry Contest for the subject of "Window" is now closed.

Adolescent09...Your refreshing surprises of unexpected gems continue to delight...."peddler of Utopia" "supplanting your pen's "ink of faith" with "a sketch of hope" is very clever. Your title adds to your poem very effectively and pulls it all together.

YesNo...very good usage of imagery and creative interpretation of the "Window" subject.

tailor STATELY..."panoply of glass...against the rain" made me feel like I could hear the sound of rain against a dazzling array of window panes...nice visual. The rhyming was just enough to add a nice touch.

Pendragon...I love the metaphor of the windows actually being openings to your soul. Your question draws the reader in. Intriguing.

cacian...I liked the structure you had in this poem where you tucked 4 short lines into the middle all starting with "the" and having a syllable count of 3-2-3-2 almost like the window is open, then 4 lines, then the window is closed...fun to read

phoenixtears...very successful iambic pentameter and very poignant regarding injustice. You said so much in just 4 lines of poetry.

Dark Muse...I love your perspective of connecting with the disconnected strangers from a distance, through the window. Your insights into this experience are masterfully executed and would be very moving if read aloud in group.

As you can see, I liked them all and was so impressed by everyone's talent!!!

My Congratulations goes to Adolescent09 !!!

My Eyes look into the window of Promise
From my two-balled pen
of quartz filled sand
The peddlar of Utopia
supplants my ink of faith
with a sketch of hope
~ Adolescent09

[cacian]

congratulations Adolescent09!! I think this contest is due anyone for a new subject Adolescent does not seem to be around :)

[Melanie]

He was last in the forum an hour ago. I just PMed him to check this thread.

[Adolescent09]

So sorry for not replying sooner guys. Thanks for your generous comment, Melanie. I find it hard to believe I won, lol.

Anywho! The next word is: Languid

Deadline: June 3rd

[YesNo]

Languid is lazy
The cousin of crazy.

[Dark Muse]

You Pull Me Through

I watch you languid upon the bed,
pulled toward you
it feels like moving through molasses
and everything in the room
slides down the walls at the speed of glass,
like running through dreams,
but still the force of your will
brings me forward
while you remain without inertia.

[cacian]

languid
flawless is banquet
take up
mandrake it steps
up life bits
flippant may trick

[Pendragon]

Lying languid
Lazily looking long--
Last lover leaving
Looks like love lost

[Melanie]

wistful thoughts
on a languid morning melody
clothed in contentment
washed in green remembrance
of gentler times

[jajdude]

A man at sea indifferent to the waves and winds
Soon finds himself washed away

[Bobbycrane]

The languid dog
Sits on the mat
Smelling of farts
And wee

[NickBrown]

The mighty light pierced fiercely through the night

[Adolescent09]

Great entries by everyone, folks. I will post individual thoughts/comments on each one and state the winner in about 3 hours.

[Adolescent09]

As I said, great entries from all!

Here we go...

YesNo: Your offering definitely delivers a unique interpretation of languor. I understood it like this: It is crazy to be lazy if you don't take advantage of good opportunities that other people would give an arm and a leg for. Definitely other ways to view it though and I did like it.

Dark Muse: You are one of the few longtime LitNetters (alongside Pendragon) who continues to bless the poetry section with your gems. This entry is clearly no different, though I will try to offer my pros/cons. For one, your 'glass' metaphor was brilliant, even if you didn't see it the way I did. Glass making is an extremely long-winded process, one that may be correlated to a languid person's perception of time. Also, the limitless reflection of glass with itself echoes the concept of the following line "running through dreams", which invites an Inception-like interpretation of the subject. Cons: Use of the word "like" twice. I think there are better ways to draw parallels between topics without using the word, "like". It makes it worse when it is noticeable. The molasses metaphor was lacking. Great entry either way!

cacian: You're too creative and imaginative for me to understand, cacian. I admire your lack of restraint. Your poetry is clearly unconventional and unlike anything I've ever read on this forum. Unfortunately I cannot provide a proper assessment since I can't even begin to understand what it means! It is a wonderful breath of fresh air having you on the forum either way.

Pendragon: Ah, Pen. It goes without saying that your poetry is appreciated by pretty much everyone on this forum, especially your villanelles and the hundreds of poems I read of yours back in '07 and '08. I might be reading this completely wrong but this is how I perceived your entry: The poem seems as though it was lazily written, which goes very well with the topic word. Languid seems to capture your mood while writing this better than any meaning the poem itself conveys. Still, the last two lines are melancholy without being mawkish and interpretations are limitless. Quite nice.

Melanie: Your entry has a very reminiscent-type 'halcyon days of youth' theme that brings to my mind a reflection of buried innocence. It is not entirely gone, but past utopian views are forsaken for current realism. "Green remembrance" sounds like luscious, well-watered grass, 'gentler times' is innocence, and a languid morning sounds serene; something similar to what I envision heaven resembles. Much enjoyed.

jajdude: I'm at a loss for words.

Bobbycrane: Clever and humorous. It has a paradoxical aura of impending death and light humor at the same time. In my mind, this begs the question: Should we laugh with happiness at the thought that the sufferers on Earth (whether they be our furry friends or human companions) are now frolicking with a metaphysical entity? I could go off on an essay-long tangent about this piece alone. Much appreciated!

NickBrown: I might be reading way too much into this, but your entry flips the notion of languor completely on its head. The "light" of individual expression pierces the "night" of conformity and familial/societal customs. Some are seen as lazy simply because they do not preoccupy themselves with topics of fruitless discussion. Ex: I was lazy when it came to undergraduate Biology topics simply because rote memorization does not appeal to me. When I changed to a more analytical science/math degree, the "light" of my newfound interest pierced the "night" of my laziness in regards to natural science topics.
-------

When it comes to LitNet forumgoers, the fact that each and every one of us keeps the written word alive in a world where most people would rather watch T.V., party all day, and play video games, makes us a collective body of winners. True winners of enlightenment for the sake of enlightenment.

But only one can be the winner of this contest, so..

And the winner is... jajude
Simply put: This entry should be next to the text-book definition of the word "languid". I can't put my finger on exactly what it was that touched me... but it reminded me of something an ancient philosopher would say. Just wonderful.

jajdude
A man at sea indifferent to the waves and winds
Soon finds himself washed away

[Delta40]

I enjoyed reading them all.

[Dark Muse]

Congrats jajude

[Pendragon]

@ Adolescent09 Lazily written? Really? Wow.

BTW Congrats Jajude! Good job, mon ami!

[Adolescent09]

@ Adolescent09 Lazily written? Really? Wow.

BTW Congrats Jajude! Good job, mon ami!

I didn't mean it as an insult. I thought that's what you were aiming for to go along with the theme.

[cacian]

Adolescent thank you and Jajude congratulations!

[tailor STATELY]

Congrats Jajude !

Ta ! (short for tarradiddle),
tailor STATELY

[cacian]

anyone kicking this off? :)

[Adolescent09]

I wish jajdude would, but if he doesn't maybe you should, cacian :)

[cacian]

OK what does anyone else think ? :)

[YesNo]

I agree with Adolescent09. I think you should provide a topic, cacian, since jajdude is not available.

[cacian]

YesNo and Adolescent thank you and since Jajude is not here I may suggest a topic:

diamond

deadline: 28th of June
good luck !!:)

[YesNo]

Flashing sparkles to the eye,
Bigger's better. Buy! Buy! Buy!

[Dark Muse]

All That Glitters

Heart etched in stone
fickle beauty
shallow symbol of love

[Jaked]

arms thrown wide, her kiss,
scarlet candlelight flickered
diamond on finger

[Adolescent09]

Hidden
Adol09

They say his skin is rancid cheese
His hubris none can top
His gnarly grin is a home for fleas,
His kin is akin to sour crops

When divinity conceived his brow
Beauty was not the aim
Where fields grew wit in minds of men
His field was hoed and tame

When my wife left me some time ago
I smelt old cheese nearby,
I tried hard to not notice it
But it served as tissue for my eyes

[Pendragon]

A diamond is educated coal
An ugly duckling grown to a swan
That must be cut to show its beauty
Facets flashing in the sun

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

Oh what a sensual thrill,
to ride on Diamond Lil. …. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6u5NEfxTC3E