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2008 Form Challenges
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This is an Italian form that is popular with sonnet writers. Originaly there was no set meter, but
using iambic pentameter the suggested pattern is:
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Lost and Found I lost my heart to a heart unknown Hidden deep within my tangled mind Around which has hard callous grown. I did not look for love nor expect to find My mind was set and my heart like stone And to all temptation I had gone blind. There is now one that lays claim to me alone Causing me to leave all my doubts behind. Ryter Roethicle |
Sicilian Octave Challenge Replies
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Maryse AchongBeloved I will never understand Why I took so much time to recognize You; when You were right in front of me, and Were willing me to turn my blinded eyes On You; but when I took Your outstretched hand Everything changed; and now I realize That all else is floating fluff, shifting sand; A moment that lives fleetingly, then dies. ----- Incommunicado My phone is dead, it's been that way for days, The Phone Company said there was a glitch But who can believe anything it says, Their drivel's spewed with the flick of a switch. Ten days passed, but I offered thanks and praise That I could get 'on line' still, a feat which They must have overlooked, for they finds ways To mess things up, 'bad lines' their fav'rite pitch. Each day they tell me someone will be sent To check everything out, fat chance of that, One fellow came and whilst he may have meant Well, he trekked mud through the house, then he sat Down, fiddled with the phone; he seemed hell bent On taking it apart. I take my hat Off to him; for though the crackling sound went A deathly silence fell: I still can't chat. Then yesterday without warning the 'net' Went 'AWOL.', but they said a technician Had been assigned to check it, 'not to fret;' But he's gone 'MIA,' and no one can Find him; but I would be willing to bet That both of them have some sinister plan. When a friend called, thinking that he would get Me, the phone was answered by a strange man. ----- Oh September Come September my heart is always sad This month has claimed so many I held dear But truth be told I should hasten to add The same is so of other months I fear. But September has also made me glad So many loved ones birthdays fall in there And we celebrate every one with mad Abandon… September you bring good cheer. We count on your 'petit carem' reprieve When for a short while the rains cease to fall And we don't complain when we see them leave Because by then we've weathered storm and squall. Although the rain is good you'd best believe, That after months of wet its charm can pall. September there is no doubt that you weave A magic wand that affects one and all. ----- Seasons of the Heart "I'm not sure of my season," says the heart "I never know which period has set in; Sometimes without warning and with a start Something happens that sets me in a spin; Perhaps some mis-aimed love infected dart From cupid's arrow, much to my chagrin. I want to rip the stupid thing apart, But it's firmly imbedded in my skin. And there are times when I am warm, secure, Knowing that I am well loved, life is sweet, But then I fret, demanding something more, Convinced that I am somehow not complete; Not a malaise one can eas'ly ignore, And just as difficult to cure, to treat. This discontent is painful to the core, The only option often, to retreat. But sometimes I'm half dead, no energy I merely exist, out of whack, askew, In need of some cardiac therapy, That is when I call loudly out to You; For You resuscitate and revive me, Give added strength so that I feel brand new. When I'm intact the soul is happy, free To do the things that souls are meant to do." ----- To Everything "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace." I pray that I'll recognize each season And will accept the things that it demands, Will not doubt My Lord, demand a reason, But as they come just place them in His Hands. For though we may object we cannot shun Life's events as they move like shifting sands; There are some things from which we cannot run, Happy the man who knows and understands. back to list |
Lorainne DafneyI run my hands on it, I will not wait To express my feelings with form and grace I can't predict their journey or their fate All these thoughts are now on a paper chase To lift someone's spirits they won't be late Try to imagine the joy on the face Whispering words of love to celebrate Thoughts from the heart left for you to embrace back to list |
Peggy NelsonSummertime blues of sun drenched days Laughter of children playing all around Grown-ups lazin' in hammocks lost in a dreamy haze In the mysterious mind of some forbidden playground. Summer winds bringing monsoons to all time heights, No longer seeing a soul in sight Temperatures scorching animals, land and mankind Summertime blues hitting all time highs Power outages killing nature and dreamy mind Electrical demands high; money's burnt time to say bye-bye Bugs, animals, humans crawling to water their thirst Another Summer wasted in the sweltering sunrays burst ----- Summers Shoreline Walking alone by waters shoreline Feel softness of silky soft sand Feel, feelings rush in sublime Recall loved ones gentle hand Feeling peaceful and refine Listen to soft waves musical band Feel summers touch feel divine While walking the sandy beach land Feel the water as it ebbs and flow Reminisce while gazing in space Embrace thoughts from moonlights glow Feel the breeze again touch with grace Walk in silence, feel loving emotions grow Relaxing at ones own given pace Gather serene thoughts to show and embrace tomorrows chase back to list |
Ryter RoethicleI worship what can never be mine, Nor possibly ever pass for what is a dream, And so I will wait and bide my time. For she is real, and all that love may seem. Love's a silly state, foolishness is not a crime, But fools are happiest when love's supreme, And are happier still as their spirits climb, Even more satisfied seeing their souls gleam. Souls are easy guided by their lover's eyes, Those windows betray what beats inside. For that flash, that sparkle, cannot disguise, An aftermath of love that cannot be denied. So in that while there are more permanent ties, And in that belief, other things are laid aside With love making us fools are we not as wise In that foolishness how can love have died? ----- Bee Its 7.30 am already a big fat bee is busy at work Each purple flower bouncing as she lands there Then flouncing once again as she leaves with a jerk That casts her off with sacred seeds stuck to her. She seeks not reward but neither would she shirk The offer of a drop of that hallowed yellow Juice that's goodness cleans moods of murk To that of George Shearings mellow. ----- Courtly Feelings My love, I want to grow old with you, But a long life can never be my destiny Doubtless we both know this to be true. And when you die I pray it will be me Waiting at the gate, to meet and guide you Together we'll turn as one towards eternity Two souls Kissing as they are want to do. As spirits, in love again we will ignite The flame of love, once more together Ever bound, ever will I be your knight Devoted to you my sweet Queen forever Every wish I shall champion with delight My very soul I offer to loves endeavour The Holy Grail of love is within my sight Overcoming all in my path whatever. ----- Distance Loving Too soon time flies, then lovers part Then spend their time regretting waste. Because of other thoughts at the start Should wasted times together be replaced? Do you think, you have left your heart Somewhere where it will be carefully placed, Lasting promises forever play their part And although apart is still never a waste. Consider only that you two were there As lovers who spent one short while Sharing and laying your souls out bare. Where love and honesty is the only style You finally met someone and truly care. Although your separated by many a mile Time will go by and you only need to dare To wait until once again you see that smile. ----- Pesadilla Sleep gives wings to all hidden dreams And causes my fantasies to take flight. In my sleep I dare to imagine schemes Welcoming my deep desires each night. Yet swift as rain from thunderous beams Pours sorrow into my somnambulistic sight Changing the tempo of passioned screams Into a painful, and acrimonious plight What kind of beast dwells so deep within That lends power and strength to this, Tearing at my soul leaving me reeling, What causes lesser harm than fancies kiss? 'Stead sends imagination away, stealing, Any amorous intent into a black abyss. Less virtuous lovers live on unfeeling Whilst I alas gave sleep tonight a miss.  ----- Quiet Thoughts You have become a presence in my mind. I do not like it, for no longer is my mind free My thoughts once controlled and simple kind. Instead, my waking time is taken up with thee Wandering off in spaces that leave me blind Thinking of things that I would like to be, Or the way our souls around each other wind And of the future, of love and of you and me In my minds eye I can see you everywhere Each waking moment into my mind you climb With thoughts so different to what was there. Now it is so natural to think that I'm Thinking about someone for who I care Someone to me who's made my life sublime Someone who once again makes me dare To think that love can last over all of time. ----- Toccchi di amore I touch you, and as I do I watch your eyes Your look softening to that of feline glee At first your taken by a pleasant surprise Then at last close and ecstasy I can see. The mirror cannot hide from me any lies As I feel you relax and surrender to me As fingers work gently all I hear are sighs And knots and tension from you now flee. back to list |
Leny RooversAs autumn's early shadows cast their spell, mid-afternoon sighs lightly with the breeze; small sparrows' twitter rises to a swell, while Sun is losing power by degrees. Most trees still prance like mature autumn belles, with waving heads they bow- a last reprise. Clouds filter midday light and spiders dwell in silken webs they spun between the trees. The dishwasher downstairs still thrums his tune, while my computer hums along in key; all well-known sounds of Sunday afternoon, now come together in day's symphony. I smile, because to hear this is a boon, a different view of life's own potpourri. With generous moves the Sunday songs are strewn- and I am grinning at my mental spree. ----- Eventide Earth slowly lifts her face as sunlight fades; she feels warm fingers linger on her skin while on the sea long shadows play charades and with a sigh, the evening breeze sets in. As spheres are streaked with red in fiery grades, top heavy rain clouds show a golden chin; on the horizon gilded ships parade- their rustling sails are shimmering like tin. When Sun turns to the west to go to sleep, the eastern sky is folded in dark shrouds; along its edges night's gray witches creep- they pull soft folds of black over day's clouds, herded together, like a flock of sheep. Last light retreats beneath the waves, now ploughed with golden furrows, for tomorrow's reap- a shining harvest of Sun's seed- now sowed. ----- Morning In bridal whites young Morning shows her face; as floating veils trail from her high piled hair, Sun adds a touch of gold to shining lace and paints pink ribbons in sky's pale blue air. As Morning bows her head with solemn grace, her witnesses fold hands in silent prayer. When Sun has sent his blessing, warm embrace, her veils are lifted and day's feast is shared. ----- Night-time The sounds of night are different than by day, more distinct, in the silence that prevails; I lie awake and hear geese on their way to warmer regions, flying head to tails. On their long flight south, no one goes astray. Much nearer to my window, magpie tales are shared, high in the elm-trees, with blue jays, they chatter loudly over each detail. Far in the distance on the motorway, some late-night travelers leave gold-red trails. Their cars hum softly in night's darkest gray- in wordless duet with the autumn gales. Close to my ears, loud purring now betrays the presence of one of my cats, her tail touches my cheek in swift caress, she plays with shadows, lies in wait and then assails. ----- Reflections VI I watch white clouds drift south on zephyr's hint, a solitary gull soars in their wake. While poplars' topmost leaves compete in sprint, thin, silver fumes of planes shift into snakes. As autumn's pale blue brush gives sky new tints, I see how clouds dissolve in mirrored lake. Reflections of tall trees in water's print, end soft rippling, after a final shake. Inside, all thought-ships harbour in mind's lee- the inner storm subsided, when observed; my heart beats strong and slowly, I am free from strain as inner peace has been preserved. As sunlight causes shadows of tall trees, a small dog tries to catch them in swift swerve; a flock of crows walk stately, they don't flee for yapping dogs- repose in life conserved. ----- Summer's end With russet brush young Autumn paints my trees and berries blush from orange to deep red; birds eat their bellies full, while our last bees search dying summer's last few flowers' spread. Above, in cool blue early morning breeze, geese train their young, while elders take the lead; though flight formation's taught with expertise, the thought they will be leaving, evokes dread. Summer has died, before she came of age, never outgrew her childhood days this year; her life was spent in late spring's blazing rage, when Sun stroke at his fiercest, days were seared. No one could change poor Summer's final stage, she slowly withered, till she disappeared. While hues of Autumn turn a different page, we take our leave of Summer, still so dear. ----- Within II Within the hidden chambers of my heart, I feel your presence as I call your name. Your face is chiseled on my inner chart, you are the distant goal for which I aim. I might be frightened when day's lights depart, but all I have to do is seek your flame; I fix my eyes on you as you impart the inner knowledge that I trust, acclaim. You take me by the hand to bring me home, my steps soon find the rhythm to match yours; I'll gladly walk with you, no longer roam- my world looks brighter as I do day's chores. One day I'll know the peace within your dome, When you'll have lead me to your quiet shores. Inside I hear the praise-filled sound of Ôm, I follow each inflection, my soul soars.  back to list |
Nia WynneSlowly the sun goes, seasons so follow Sanguine hours spill, simply the days sway, Clocks measure all pieces, pastures fallow Crumbling in brownish leaves, where we'd stay Heaving sighs as songs. Summers mellow Hastens from our view, so we keep those days Memories and watch dancers graying and slow Match steps in the snows, spring put away. ----- Cloudy Lake Ripples, not quite allowing reflections To be mirrored, making suns light Dance in heavenly blue-gold profusion Across the lake, as in a dream of flight, Winds gently caressing like wing'd visions, Visible and yet not, like owls of night Silently seen, eyes glowing emotion Through a thousand clouds, many tails of kites. ----- Season in Chaos Season of chaos now comes to my world Wandering through dusty days, rainy nights, Changes from green to gold, quick unfurled Buds now dropping in death before my sight, Soon chaos cocoons the earth in it's pearl Blanket of frozen tears, blindingly light, Even at dusk all is a twinkle twirl Delight, for tulips pink await sun's bright.  ----- Time to Shine Time stands still when you are in my thoughts, Those that make my heart go a fluttering Then soar to the mountain top that we've sought, To find such special peaks, are our gifting. Upon the steps to Edens doors we wrought Utterly golden moments of loving, Unspent dreams tossed like shimmering coins bought Until the last pleasure dropped, shining.  back to list |
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