Category: Poetry

This formula is not only for nerds

What’s he going on about now? Formula? Nerds?

Yes, I’m sorry. It’s Backside again, being abstruse (one of his fave words). It’s about poetry – wot he likes doing – but he finds it impossible without a formula, a framework, a function. The three Fs, you might say.

So your mission this month, should you wish to engage, is to reveal your innermost workings by means of this plan:

 

  • The first line of the poem involves an emotion: sadness, anger, confusion, hurt, love, jealousy.
  • The second line describes the emotion as a colour. For example, you might describe anger as “red as a rag to a bull ;” happiness might be “as pink as a chimp’s chuff.”
  • The third line starts with “It happens when . . ..” For example, “Anger happens. . .when I’m told to move myself or words to that effect.” “Confusion happens when I do it but apparently not well enough.”
  • The fourth line begins with “It sounds like . . ..” For example, “Sadness sounds like. . .a Rangers supporter.”
  • The last line of the poem repeats the original emotion.

There! That was easy, eh? Only five lines at a time, rhyming or not, scanning or not, serious or not – but as many emotions as your constitution will stand. But no deviation from the formula, p-lease!

Closing date 27th October after Backside’s standard, formulaic breakfast. Thank you.

The Epic poem result

It won’t be long until The Chariot Epic poem (Earth- stranger visits third rock from the sun) is read in universities around the world. The tale of Marvin’s wander through the wonders of this world will thrill generations to come. I’d like to thank the three contributors to this ambitious enterprise: Janus, John Mackie and FEEG.

JM used the opposite tactic of mine of not sucking up to the judge. His anti-Glasgow verses flowed smoother than Edinburgh trams and made me laugh. His poem was a stoater.

FEEG’s account of nasty politicians was anything but feeble. Some inspired rhymes in his denunciations- CO2, poo, venturi, Alpha Centuri. High definition poetical stuff.

Janus took Marvin all over the place. Marv will be glad to see the backside of him. Of the many J odes I particularly liked the Yorkshire moors one. And me being a Lancashire CCC man, born and nurtured. Janus book-ended the epic nicely meaning I didn’t have to insert one of my eccentric codas.

And the winner is… Continue reading “The Epic poem result”

Epic reminder

Two weeks left for the poets out there to enter this month’s Epic contest. This ambitious project has so far enticed only two authors to pen their verses. Details of the competition can be found here.
https://charioteers.org/2013/09/02/epic-september-poetry-competition/

Memo to admin- could you please update the side bar. Thanks.

Epic (September poetry competition)

Now for something completely different. This month’s poetry competition will follow in the footsteps of the Epic poems of the past. Think Odyssey, Think Inferno. Think Paradise Lost. OK, enough thinking. The title is Earth, subtitled stranger visits third rock from the sun.

An alien, let’s call him Marvin, has landed on Earth. He is met by Ferdinand Magellan, an immortal who still lives in our present times (poetic license and all that). The circumnavigator agrees to take Marvin on a tour of this planet. Authors are invited to submit poems on the various places FM thinks will interest the foreigner. This could be a country (Latvia), a sports ground or arena (the WACA/ Royal Albert Hall), a breed of cattle (Texas Longhorn). The world is your oyster, you decide. They don’t have to be fun poems, a little bit of tragedy adds to the mix.

Multiple entries are most welcome and can be in any format. Dialogue and blank verse will be accepted, this is an Epic after all. Don’t worry about the continuity of the poems vis-à-vis locations, it’s not like in Ferdinand’s day, Marvin has a space ship so the duo can zap from one side of the globe to the other, swiftly.

I suggest poems are published separately and linked to this page. This gives readers the chance to comment on the individual entries. At the bottom of this post I will copy the entries and the huge Epic poem will grow. In a further twist from the norm I hope no one minds if I contribute a poem or two of my own. Naturally, after the closing date I won’t vote myself the winner!

Closing date: Midnight UK time, Friday 27th September.

Earth
stranger visits third rock from the sun Continue reading “Epic (September poetry competition)”

A Childhood Summer (Beyond the Rainbow)

haystack 2Somewhere deep in a meadow,
way back in time,
there’s a land I call summer,
safe in a childhood rhyme.

Somewhere deep in my mem’ry,
Skies are blue,
And the dreams that I dared to dream
Really did seem true.

Someday I’ll wish upon a star
And wake up on a haystack far
Behind me.
I’ll gaze up at the sky above
and know my time is bound in love –
That’s where you’ll find me.

Somewhere over the distant hill
I lie
E-ver safe in a summer’s love
In a time gone by.

July Poetry Competition

Painting by Henri Rousseau (for JW)

I was so entranced by the ‘Magic’ theme that I find myself unable to think of an interesting subject for the July poeticals.

Therefore, this month’s competition is open … except for the inclusion of the names of two herbs (they have such beautiful names) and one creature. You may add more herbs and creatures, if you wish, to create a fragrant, poetic casserole.

Any form, length etc.

Entries by midnight on 21 July 2013.

June Magic competition result

This is the part we all hate- choosing a winner. Still, it must be done. Only four entries but what the competition lacked in quantity it made up for in quality.

It was quite Testing for me reading Soutie’s paean to an upcoming star in the world of rugby. It also begs the question just how many Petersens/Pietersens are there in South Africa? Nonetheless a fine ode and no derogatory rugger snipes from me.

The mighty Janus once again made his rhyming so effortless in his story of a relative that is a clockwork genius. Living in the land of Lego as he does, I’m sure Janus is no mean constructor and destructor of blocks himself. Very interesting thread in his post as well.

Bilby has proven herself to be an accomplished wordsmith. Beautifully written with an emotional ending. Proof indeed that are many talents on board the Chariot.

PapaG’s entry had me chuckling from the start. Best title for a poem in a long while. His manic romp through a magic show conjured many images. He really got in the act of this theme. Very funny and it did appeal to me.

Thank you to all who entered, you’re all stars. The winner is… Continue reading “June Magic competition result”

Winner! May Poetry Competition

Drip or trickle …

I believe PapaG’s spontaneous, on-topic couplet was inspired by the Navy ration. It’s not clear whether he meant it as an entry, but it’s very welcome anyway. Thank you, PG.

Water

Good one, FEEG! I really liked this take on the theme, especially the rhyming combination of ‘tongue’ and ‘dung’. Classic! 🙂

Water Oughter

A high standard from LW; clever, amusing poem, good title.

The Plumber…

A poem of the first water; concise but not caught short. I appreciate Janus taking the trouble to pen these lines when he was otherwise engaged.

The Flood

JW breaks all the rules yet again with his unique style of writing. Witty and Wacky, with a charming illustration.

Many thanks for your entries everyone.

The winning poet this month is … JW! Congratulations! 🙂