The Ping-Pong Sonnet Competitition.
ajay
Forum Posts: 1990
Dangerous Mind
2
Joined 21st Mar 2023 Forum Posts: 1990
Poetry Contest Description
Without using the word 'white', write a Sonnet of any type describing the inside of a table-tennis ball.
A thousand years ago, when I was a rosy-cheeked schoolboy, a favourite punishment for any misdemeanor was to have to write an essay of 1500 words describing the inside of a table-tennis ball. In a bid to exorcise from my Soul the Demons of that frequent experience, I invite all of you lovely Deep Undergrounders to write a Sonnet of any type on the same subject without using the word 'white'.
Bonus points for imagination. 🙃
I'll judge.
Two weeks.
Bonus points for imagination. 🙃
I'll judge.
Two weeks.
Rew
Forum Posts: 555
Fire of Insight
15
Joined 30th Sep 2022 Forum Posts: 555
Ping Pong, balls...
My one wall curves round in all directions
then falls back down to me the hub of I,
inside my hide the outside I have shunned
that grey ghostly glow only I can eye.
A straight walk from A arcs me back to A
a backward walk circles round just the same,
a hamster in a 3D wheel but, hey,
if it wasn't such fun I'd go insane...
Inside this womb I wonder about birth
or am I, egg, waiting for warmth to hatch,
or is here the centre of some joke earth
my eruption out the fiery catch?
But ping pong balls do not a prison make
Though these thoughts make my 'pingponging head, ache...
then falls back down to me the hub of I,
inside my hide the outside I have shunned
that grey ghostly glow only I can eye.
A straight walk from A arcs me back to A
a backward walk circles round just the same,
a hamster in a 3D wheel but, hey,
if it wasn't such fun I'd go insane...
Inside this womb I wonder about birth
or am I, egg, waiting for warmth to hatch,
or is here the centre of some joke earth
my eruption out the fiery catch?
But ping pong balls do not a prison make
Though these thoughts make my 'pingponging head, ache...
Written by Rew
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Grace
IDryad
Forum Posts: 16967
IDryad
Tyrant of Words
126
Joined 25th Aug 2011Forum Posts: 16967
Bouncing Wrecking Ball
Life bounces me like a ping pong ball
up and down I journey and traverse
terror and ecstasy I feel with every fall
sometimes peering deep into the abyss
I spin in hurricanes when fate gets cruel
holding on, riding on the tail of destiny
hoping to survive each painful stumble
when the heart breaks missing soul
with strength I find solace and utmost peace
when I accept my fate with grace
swaying back and forth between joy and sorrow
always looking with hope for tomorrow
shall I then quit this life in relief
wondering who shall mourn me when I leave
up and down I journey and traverse
terror and ecstasy I feel with every fall
sometimes peering deep into the abyss
I spin in hurricanes when fate gets cruel
holding on, riding on the tail of destiny
hoping to survive each painful stumble
when the heart breaks missing soul
with strength I find solace and utmost peace
when I accept my fate with grace
swaying back and forth between joy and sorrow
always looking with hope for tomorrow
shall I then quit this life in relief
wondering who shall mourn me when I leave
Written by Grace
(IDryad)
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PAR
PAULO ACACIO RAMOS
Forum Posts: 296
PAULO ACACIO RAMOS
Dangerous Mind
20
Joined 26th May 2022Forum Posts: 296
A ping-pong ball's insides
Inside the celluloid sphere lies a space
where silence reigns and nothing stirs.
A hollow world devoid of no any trace
of life, light or color that to one occurs.
The only sound is when the ball is hit
by paddles swift and skilled in every take.
The only motion is the bounce and flit
of flying orb that never seems to break.
For the only sight is of the smooth and plain
of a surface that reflects the inner scene.
The only shape is of the round and sane
of a sphere that is so perfect and serene.
Inside the ball there is no need for hue
it is a world of nothingness and no true.
Written by PAR
(PAULO ACACIO RAMOS)
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ajay
Forum Posts: 1990
Dangerous Mind
2
Joined 21st Mar 2023 Forum Posts: 1990
Thank you, Rew, Grace and PAR for your excellent entries. My old tutors would have been most impressed 👍
PAR
PAULO ACACIO RAMOS
Forum Posts: 296
PAULO ACACIO RAMOS
Dangerous Mind
20
Joined 26th May 2022Forum Posts: 296
😊
slipalong
Forum Posts: 852
Dangerous Mind
42
Joined 1st Jan 2018Forum Posts: 852
The final
The strength in fraillty encircles me now
shell thin as an egg, but takes many blows
tossed in the air, see Im taking my bow
just the first set, well we`ll see how it goes
I dip and I curve to cries and great gasps
cut me with backspin just missing the net
whack me with topspin, in freedom i draught
in the dry, the warm, beats tennis you bet!
Olympics year, the grand final is on
scores are equal, but a smash wins the game
its me and the bat to wave with the gong
short lived the spotlight, brief contact with fame
From my pale pallor no colour as such
but inside its warmth, I felt a slight blush
shell thin as an egg, but takes many blows
tossed in the air, see Im taking my bow
just the first set, well we`ll see how it goes
I dip and I curve to cries and great gasps
cut me with backspin just missing the net
whack me with topspin, in freedom i draught
in the dry, the warm, beats tennis you bet!
Olympics year, the grand final is on
scores are equal, but a smash wins the game
its me and the bat to wave with the gong
short lived the spotlight, brief contact with fame
From my pale pallor no colour as such
but inside its warmth, I felt a slight blush
Written by slipalong
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Jordan
D.O.C.
Forum Posts: 245
D.O.C.
Thought Provoker
13
Joined 4th May 2022Forum Posts: 245
That's How the Balls Bounce
A Shakespearean Sonnet of Love for Balls Petite Ping-Ponged
"For a select few, creative writing is a ball as opposed to a bane."
-- a bard a ball of fire
*
In Quantum Physics, scholar athletes learn
hard ping-pong balls true priceless, prized, and rare
deserve the rank and rep renowned they earn
as ballsy, yea-big balls beyond compare;
plus inward past each teeny, tough ball's shell
exists a field unique of empty space
espied by jocks and sharp-eyed fans as well
who thrill on meeting space yet face-to-face;
for slicing into every ping-pong sphere
all ballers eyeball space select pop out
along with first-string atoms huge and clear
and quanta astronomical of clout --
while centered in the ball in full control
wild bounces one ballistic, weeny soul.
*
"For a select few, creative writing is a ball as opposed to a bane."
-- a bard a ball of fire
*
In Quantum Physics, scholar athletes learn
hard ping-pong balls true priceless, prized, and rare
deserve the rank and rep renowned they earn
as ballsy, yea-big balls beyond compare;
plus inward past each teeny, tough ball's shell
exists a field unique of empty space
espied by jocks and sharp-eyed fans as well
who thrill on meeting space yet face-to-face;
for slicing into every ping-pong sphere
all ballers eyeball space select pop out
along with first-string atoms huge and clear
and quanta astronomical of clout --
while centered in the ball in full control
wild bounces one ballistic, weeny soul.
*
Written by Jordan
(D.O.C.)
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ajay
Forum Posts: 1990
Dangerous Mind
2
Joined 21st Mar 2023 Forum Posts: 1990
Two entries, Slip and Jordan, which certainly aren't a load of balls.. 🙃 Nice ones, fellers! 👍👍
wallyroo92
Forum Posts: 1859
Tyrant of Words
153
Joined 11th July 2012Forum Posts: 1859
Balls of Fury
I’ve never played tennis, I’ve never been able
But this is a sport I have always observed
We’ve moving it over to the dinner table
If you’re down for it just be ready to be served
Some balls can fly at you like whiz in a throng
But these little plastic spheres do have a nice ping
Then again balls coming at your face just sounds wrong
But tiny orbs going back and forth do have zing
How can something that weighs just under three grams
Cause so much fun and joy with lightning speed
Don’t fiddle with the paddle or the ball scrams
Making you chase it or else you have to concede
And if friends watching the game are judge and jury
They’ll laugh as you try to slap these balls of fury
Written by wallyroo92
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ajay
Forum Posts: 1990
Dangerous Mind
2
Joined 21st Mar 2023 Forum Posts: 1990
Nice one, Wally👍
Title of the year, too 🙃
Title of the year, too 🙃
NANCY_RDZ_STORIES
WRITER LYRICIST ARTIST
Forum Posts: 195
WRITER LYRICIST ARTIST
Fire of Insight
5
Joined 9th Jan 2020Forum Posts: 195
A WHIFF-WHAFF MIRACLE
I ran out of whiff-whaffs
That always made my day
Gave me some strong laughs
Ping-ponging them, every time I'd play
Now things are not the same
For a decade I had them like my veins
Like my eyes that protected them insane
Now in my head deep inside, it just rains
Clustered in my cotton round domain
There are only migraines and pain
The agony of this dreadful slain
Of my buddies, I so much miss in vain
On tables that lined up in a perfect row,
Their surface a shining sea of green,
The nets stretched taut, ready to show,
Magic that always happened in between.
How they bounced beautifully on my exhibits
Like tiny hoary rabbits that gave me hope & love
That won me every time I made ping-pong hits
An ambition that only one could ever dream of
It's all now gone
Like January that was so cold
February left me empty with not a single one
Only to come to a foggy site like Silent Hillz Road
MY WHIFF-WHAFFS!!!!!
THE ABYSM DESPAIR!!!
NO OTHER SPHERES COULD EVER COMPARE!
MY ROUND CROWN SHINING WITH DIAMONDS SO RARE...
So on a night that I went outside
I saw the huge bright moon
Smiling upon me, almost got me blind
Telling me a secret I later understood
It said, I know why you're down
And I'll change that for you
Take me as your clown
And use me as those whiff-whaffs too.
I'm round, bold, and the color like your teeth
Inside so stygian yet smart, a work of art
So much wisdom that I could help teach
If you decide to reach, I'll show you my heart
I was astonished and so pale
Like a ghost that could be, to me so close
Orbs like my whiff-whaffs milky hail
Feeling in a single stance as if I froze
I replied, looking up so high to the twilight sky
To the moon looking like a vanilla moon pie
BUT HOW? YOU CAN'T BE SPEAKING AS SUCH?
THIS IS TOO MUCH!!!
The moon replied, As Such??
I am the night's source of light
That helps all see it vividly, in a lumen touch
In evil minds, even of that despite.
I said, I see, and right...
Well you say I could use you as a whiff-whaff
That's hard to believe I won't deny
But what do you mean by that?
The moon uttered, Oh my friend
You must have faith
The one thing you lack, you comprehend?
Nothing in life is a race
If you only see with your eyes
You won't ever allow your inner thrives
To exalt, to be ridden, or what in you lies
The sun and I work together as we rise
On the unity of an eclipse
You'll see the opportunity to glimpse
To 3D come to a possible breach
Nothing's impossible to "THE ONE" get my drift?
I extend grandly my hand towards the moon
It begins to power rays
The intense feeling as I grab it's dune
I am speechless, as in my palm, it fulgurate lays
"In moonlit stillness, secrets gently told,
The moon, my companion, ever so bright,
Its wisdom, like whiff-whaffs, I behold,
A muse of wonder, guiding me through the night.
With each passing moment, I am inspired,
To wield the moon's wisdom like a grand art,
In its gentle glow, my soul transpired,
A bond of mirth, a connection of heart.
Together we dance in celestial tune,
Moon and whiff-whaffs, intertwined as one,
A cosmic alliance beneath the moon,
With joy and laughter, our journey has begun.
So let the moon be my playful clown,
And whiff-whaffs' spirit forever renowned."
That always made my day
Gave me some strong laughs
Ping-ponging them, every time I'd play
Now things are not the same
For a decade I had them like my veins
Like my eyes that protected them insane
Now in my head deep inside, it just rains
Clustered in my cotton round domain
There are only migraines and pain
The agony of this dreadful slain
Of my buddies, I so much miss in vain
On tables that lined up in a perfect row,
Their surface a shining sea of green,
The nets stretched taut, ready to show,
Magic that always happened in between.
How they bounced beautifully on my exhibits
Like tiny hoary rabbits that gave me hope & love
That won me every time I made ping-pong hits
An ambition that only one could ever dream of
It's all now gone
Like January that was so cold
February left me empty with not a single one
Only to come to a foggy site like Silent Hillz Road
MY WHIFF-WHAFFS!!!!!
THE ABYSM DESPAIR!!!
NO OTHER SPHERES COULD EVER COMPARE!
MY ROUND CROWN SHINING WITH DIAMONDS SO RARE...
So on a night that I went outside
I saw the huge bright moon
Smiling upon me, almost got me blind
Telling me a secret I later understood
It said, I know why you're down
And I'll change that for you
Take me as your clown
And use me as those whiff-whaffs too.
I'm round, bold, and the color like your teeth
Inside so stygian yet smart, a work of art
So much wisdom that I could help teach
If you decide to reach, I'll show you my heart
I was astonished and so pale
Like a ghost that could be, to me so close
Orbs like my whiff-whaffs milky hail
Feeling in a single stance as if I froze
I replied, looking up so high to the twilight sky
To the moon looking like a vanilla moon pie
BUT HOW? YOU CAN'T BE SPEAKING AS SUCH?
THIS IS TOO MUCH!!!
The moon replied, As Such??
I am the night's source of light
That helps all see it vividly, in a lumen touch
In evil minds, even of that despite.
I said, I see, and right...
Well you say I could use you as a whiff-whaff
That's hard to believe I won't deny
But what do you mean by that?
The moon uttered, Oh my friend
You must have faith
The one thing you lack, you comprehend?
Nothing in life is a race
If you only see with your eyes
You won't ever allow your inner thrives
To exalt, to be ridden, or what in you lies
The sun and I work together as we rise
On the unity of an eclipse
You'll see the opportunity to glimpse
To 3D come to a possible breach
Nothing's impossible to "THE ONE" get my drift?
I extend grandly my hand towards the moon
It begins to power rays
The intense feeling as I grab it's dune
I am speechless, as in my palm, it fulgurate lays
"In moonlit stillness, secrets gently told,
The moon, my companion, ever so bright,
Its wisdom, like whiff-whaffs, I behold,
A muse of wonder, guiding me through the night.
With each passing moment, I am inspired,
To wield the moon's wisdom like a grand art,
In its gentle glow, my soul transpired,
A bond of mirth, a connection of heart.
Together we dance in celestial tune,
Moon and whiff-whaffs, intertwined as one,
A cosmic alliance beneath the moon,
With joy and laughter, our journey has begun.
So let the moon be my playful clown,
And whiff-whaffs' spirit forever renowned."
Written by NANCY_RDZ_STORIES
(WRITER LYRICIST ARTIST)
Go To Page
ajay
Forum Posts: 1990
Dangerous Mind
2
Joined 21st Mar 2023 Forum Posts: 1990
Nice one, Nancy.💐 A corker! 👍
Much love💐
Much love💐
Mstrmnd1923
Forum Posts: 190
Thought Provoker
4
Joined 2nd Feb 2024Forum Posts: 190
Clever and witty..i think it's brilliant writing..awesome job ping pong balls..great description
ajay
Forum Posts: 1990
Dangerous Mind
2
Joined 21st Mar 2023 Forum Posts: 1990