Picture Poetry Contest (...continued...)

[Pendragon]

Diogenes: Looking For An Honest Man

He had very little in this life beyond his lantern, his blanket, and his dog—
But inside the beggar’s clothing lived one whose eyes could really see
While all the world around him moved as if their very minds were in a fog…

He must have seemed a fool walking through the streets with lighted lantern after dawn,
Asked what he thought what he was doing he proclaimed: “An honest man I seek!”
He had very little in this life beyond his lantern, his blanket, and his dog—

But when asked by a ruler what he could do for him, he told the Ruler “Move along,
You are blocking my light.” What a caustic reply to one who aspired to royalty!
While all the world around him moved as if their very minds were in a fog;

He could look up from his blanket and see the things in life that were really going on.
His philosophy would be remembered and taught down through the course of history.
He had very little in this life beyond his lantern, his blanket, and his dog—

Just a person living on the streets, having to depend on others’ generosity if he ate at all.
Sometimes I wonder if the ones who passed him by ever knew how famous he would be?
While all the world around him moved as if their very minds were in a fog;

His declarations and his statements were being copied down so they would not be lost.
He made a major influence on the way of thinking in those times and modern philosophy.
He had very little in this life beyond his lantern, his blanket, and his dog—
While all the world around him moved as if their very minds were in a fog…

Pendragon
© 10/8/07

[symphony]

Way to go, Nick & Uncle Pen!
I'm looking forward to what the others come out with.

And thanks again to Nick, Fire, Pen for all the kudos.

[browneyedbailey]

Sleeping in the feild.
Come, come.
A story to tell.
Share with family,
Share with friends.
Good-bye.

[TheFifthElement]

This I posted under the charles bukowski thread, but it occurred to me that it fit the picture here. apologies that this is recycled, but appropriate.

late night tv


up again at 1am

flicking through
the channels on
tv

and there’s
celebrity so-and-so
moralising about

global warming

and carbon footprints (etc)

whilst simultaneously
advertising their latest
designer-brand
perfume

and I think

of the pikeys and tramps and bums
huddled outside in

their recycled shoes
and newspaper
blankets

and I
drink
to the
future.

[NickAdams]

Diogenes: Looking For An Honest Man

He had very little in this life beyond his lantern, his blanket, and his dog—
But inside the beggar’s clothing lived one whose eyes could really see
While all the world around him moved as if their very minds were in a fog…

He must have seemed a fool walking through the streets with lighted lantern after dawn,
Asked what he thought what he was doing he proclaimed: “An honest man I seek!”
He had very little in this life beyond his lantern, his blanket, and his dog—

But when asked by a ruler what he could do for him, he told the Ruler “Move along,
You are blocking my light.” What a caustic reply to one who aspired to royalty!
While all the world around him moved as if their very minds were in a fog;

He could look up from his blanket and see the things in life that were really going on.
His philosophy would be remembered and taught down through the course of history.
He had very little in this life beyond his lantern, his blanket, and his dog—

Just a person living on the streets, having to depend on others’ generosity if he ate at all.
Sometimes I wonder if the ones who passed him by ever knew how famous he would be?
While all the world around him moved as if their very minds were in a fog;

His declarations and his statements were being copied down so they would not be lost.
He made a major influence on the way of thinking in those times and modern philosophy.
He had very little in this life beyond his lantern, his blanket, and his dog—
While all the world around him moved as if their very minds were in a fog…

Pendragon
© 10/8/07

Wow! Pen, you have incorporated a huge interest of mine. Why didn't I think of it. Diogenes is the SN prefix for both my Yahoo and AOL account.

You've expanded on one of the most interesting stories: the lantern.

It would have been interesting if you would have used the dog and cynic (Greek for canine) as a metaphor ... or did you and I missed it?

Two other interesting stories:

The only item Diogenes carried was a cup for water, until he saw a child using his hands to hold the drinking water. He threw away the cup after that.

Once, Diogenes was kidnapped by pirates and made a slave. When asked his trade, he said that he knew no trade but that of governing men, and that he wished to be sold to a man who needed a master.

[Pendragon]

Wow! Pen, you have incorporated a huge interest of mine. Why didn't I think of it. Diogenes is the SN prefix for both my Yahoo and AOL account.

You've expanded on one of the most interesting stories: the lantern.

It would have been interesting if you would have used the dog and cynic (Greek for canine) as a metaphor ... or did you and I missed it?

Two other interesting stories:

The only item Diogenes carried was a cup for water, until he saw a child using his hands to hold the drinking water. He threw away the cup after that.

Once, Diogenes was kidnapped by pirates and made a slave. When asked his trade, he said that he knew no trade but that of governing men, and that he wished to be sold to a man who needed a master.

Thanks, Nick. Diogenes is a favorite character of mine, and the picture just screamed his name to me! Cave Canium!

[AdoreroDio]

I have a question- I have an idea for a poem but I wasn't sure if it would be alright- is a parody poem ok or does it have to be completely from your own mind?

[symphony]

I have a question- I have an idea for a poem but I wasn't sure if it would be alright- is a parody poem ok or does it have to be completely from your own mind?

A parody will also be welcome.

[Xcape]

Oops posted in the wrong thread

[AdoreroDio]

This is my poem, a parody on Edgar Allen Poe's The Raven-

Once upon while I was teary, while I lay there thinned and weary,
Laying quiet, food and water by my side, laying quiet on the floor
There I lay head nodding slowly, napping when on my shoulder there was a knocking,
Like that of a person gently tapping, tapping like on a soft wood door
“Tis some beggar,” I whispered “wanting my small piece of floor
It’s just this and nothing more.”

Yes. It’s true I do remember it was in the hot September,
As I lay down under my worn blanket, upon the heated floor.
Eagerly I wished for tomorrow or to eat food that I didn’t ‘borrow’
or even better to forget my lost years with riches like those from days of lore-
I longed for money as I had when in my mansion from those days of lore
forgotten here for evermore.

Soon I finally turned over, mumbling ‘bout lost sleep and hunger
“Mr.,”I said with eyes still closed, “or Mrs., your exit I do now implore;
the fact is that I was napping, and now so slightly you came tapping,
indeed bothering me with you tapping ,tapping on my shoulder more
That I am now quiet annoyed' - here I opened wide my eyes so sore; -
My dog was there, and nothing more.

Back down I lay slowly turning, my bones and muscles from weakness burning,
But sadly again I felt a tapping somewhat harder than before.
`Surely,' said I, `surely that is something truly in my mind purely
If not let me see, what the source is, and this mystery explore -
Let my fist be still no longer and this mystery explore; -
It’s my dog’s tail and nothing more!'

Turning here curses I did mutter until I saw feathers flutter,
From the street stepped a starving raven bigger than those I’d seen before.
On the street indeed he did not stay; instead upon my blanket his claws did he lay;
Caring not about this raven I lay my head back on the floor -
He perched on me for a few more seconds until slowly hopping to the floor -
Perched, and sat, and nothing more.

Then this black bird stood in front of my drawn face,
Making my attempt at sleep even harder more,
`Even though you look quite handsome' I said, `you are bothersome.
Ghastly trouble maker who now comes from some distant shore-
Tell me what your awful name is on that cursed shore!'
Then said the raven, `Nevermore.'

My chin dropped to the ground in marvel to hear the raven speak so plainly,
Though its answer had little meaning, indeed little meaning it did bore;
For noone could be disagreeing that no living human being
Has ever heard a raven speaking on their piece of floor-
Bird or beast indeed speaking at all on any floor,
With a weird name like `Nevermore.'

Pretty soon I started guessing, what this bird could be expressing
by that word which he speaks which on this hot day chills my core;
This and more I sat finding, that even as my thoughts were winding
That the word still haunted me as nothing more than taunting,
But the bird said nothing to help only saying the word that was daunting
for the raven said “nevermore!”

`Are you a gypsy?' said I, `a thing of evil!? - prophet still, if bird or devil! -
Even if you’re tempter sent, or if something worse tossed you here ashore,
alone yet scary , on this desolate street you’re found enchanted -
On this spot by horror haunted - tell me no lies I beg you this for-
Is there - is there any happiness out there? - tell me - I beg you more!'
Said the raven, `Nevermore.'

`I say that word must be our word of goodbye!' I yelled upstarting -
`Go back to the place you come from, that place in hell I once called a shore!
Leave no feathers as a token of that lie your lips have spoken!
Leave my pennilessness unspoken! - quit the that part here on my floor!
Take your beak out of my heart, and take your shadow from of my floor!'
Then said the raven, `Nevermore.'

And the raven, never moving , still is sitting, still is sitting
Next to my dog upon that small piece of the hot street’s floor;
And his eyes have that look so steaming of a demon's that is dreaming,
And the street light over him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that stays frozen on the floor
Shall be lifted - nevermore!

[symphony]

Thanks A.Dio


I see we have 5 entries already! Okay I'll set a deadline now. Lets say November 1, 2007.
Lots of time. Enjoy spending it with bits of creativity.

[Virgil]

Oh, oh, I got to start crackin.

[MarileeRixon]

The Magpie and Her Friend

Perched there, upon his back
The magpie's talons dig in,
Penetrating cover and hide
For she is gurdian of
The blanket covered mass
That was once her friend.

Rotting flesh, upon hard land
Beneath the midsummer sun
Attracts flies in their thousands
Ants by millions
All appearing from nowhere
Unperturbed by the heat of the day.

Magpie tries her hardest to defend her friend,
To chase them all away
Make them leave him in peace,
But she is overcome by their sheer, united masses,
Awed by their might.

Away she flies,
Disgusted by their greed and filth
Unable to bear the sight
of her poor, deceased friend,
Carried away piece by tiny piece.

[ktd222]

MarileeRixon,

No title required. The only requirement is your poem's theme must be inspired by the picture posted.

[MarileeRixon]

Ok, cool...I don't like titling my own work because it's often hard to choose from the many different titles I come up with, so unless it's an important piece I don't title it until I've had input and suggestion from others.

BTW...Most people just call me Fred - It's easier to remember and pronounce than my actual name