Nice going, Jer! Poetry from you flows like a river!
Printable View
Nice going, Jer! Poetry from you flows like a river!
Many thanks, Pen. Your simile, however, reminds me of this joke:Quote:
Originally Posted by Pendragon
When the chief rabbi of the community lay dying, his disciples lined up for a last word with him. At the very end of the line, the youngest of the disciples was afraid that the rabbi might pass on before he the disciple got to speak with him, so he nudged the man just ahead of him:
"Please," he said, "ask the Rabbi, what is the meaning of life?"
The message went up the line, disciple after disciple, and finally the answer came back:
"The Rabbi says, 'Life is like a river...'"
"'Life is like a river'? I don't understand..."
Again the message went up the line and again a message came back:
"The Rabbi says, 'Life is not like a river?'"
Congratulations, Prince!
I believe you cited the Snodgrass poem to me before, and I can't remember if I ever found the name of the form, but I'll keep looking.
So far I found this:
http://www.enotes.com/april-inventor...pril-inventory
which states that the poem consists of ten 6-line stanzas, in iambic tetrameter with the rhyme scheme ababcc. At first I thought it was a Burns' stanza (a la Robert) but Robbie alternates two meters. To me, the stanza is very much like a "sestet," the second half of an Italian or Petrarchian sonnet.
My question is -- surely you don't want all of us to write a full 60 lines, do ya? (I know what you're going to say "Don't call me 'Shirley.")
No, I don't expect or require 60 lines...And I'm grateful you didn't write "Don't call me, 'Shirley."Quote:
Originally Posted by AuntShecky
Yeah, cause I don't think I can write ten six line stanzas! :ack2:
Well done Prince for being judged the winner; they were all good entries though. An enjoyable competition.
Congrads, Jer! I look forward to the next form!
Thanks, Pen, do please note that I posted info re the next form at message #715 and elaborated at #721Quote:
Originally Posted by Pendragon
I'm afraid I've been way too busy to participate. When is the deadline?
Edit: Never mind. I found it, March 21st. I might be able to sneak one in by the deadline. We'll see.
I started to answer before I saw that you had edited, but given the paucity of replies thus far, I might choose to extend it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Virgil
We had such a good turnout for the previous round. I guess the output comes in cycles. [:lol: That last sentence sounds like engineering talk.]Quote:
Originally Posted by PrinceMyshkin
Song of New Hope
When March comes in like a soft, fleecy lamb
Does it have to go out like a Lion on the prowl?
Weary of the snow and the bitter cold I am,
Ready for the North Wind to blow it’s last howl
Ready for the birdsong and flowers of Spring
I dream of their beauty when night falls each eve
Not that snow in itself is not a beautiful thing
But warmer weather will release my depression I believe
Looking each day for the buds on the trees
And trusting that Spring is coming no matter what one sees…
Time to give back clothing to the poor naked trees,
And let daisies and violets wink in the grass
Let’s trade in the cold for the warm Spring breeze
Tell Old Man Winter to cease and desist and just pass!
Already there are signs but the Lion cannot be far away
This period of sunshine may yet give way to snow
I’m thanking God for such a beautiful, lovely day
And find that new plants are beginning to show
Cheers for the passing of Winter, and the debut of Spring
Joy for new beginnings and the happiness the sun brings!
Pendragon
© March 7, 2010
Welcome to this first, graceful submission!
The days grow faster than the weeds
Rivulets reveal bulbs below
The sun glazed crystal water leads
the raft's retreat, fading spring snow,
dirt packed hard by months' frozen mass
sports shoots of flowers, despite glass
Mens' thoughts turn to forgotten love
from winter's daily drag, and grind
Romance hits thawing wits in droves
bittersweet blossoms of a bitter mind
As time melts veldt back to surface,
heart and soul take man's whole purpose.
Note: I may have laced in too much trochee... Expect a revision.
Note Note: I think that should fix the balance I was going for. Good luck everyone!
Note Note Note: I misread the requirements. I've got to shave the lines back to tetrameter... Bugger.
Thanks, krymsonking, this makes it a real contest!