Poetry competition CLOSED 31st August 2018 4:24am
WINNER
Anonymous
Anonymous
RUNNERS-UP:
wallyroo92
and Angelast1
I'm listening
Poetry Contest Description
Poetry about being a listener
Poets are about others if they share their art... or they don't connect. Let's talk about listening.
Let's have poems about your feelings on listening to others.
Any format you like as long as it's a poem, song lyrics, spoken word, or even short story.Clean enough to avoid an 18+ label.
2 peoms/etc if you like, no more
Collabs welcome.
Thread conversation welcome. We are here to have fun and grow as writers, most of all, right?
Imagine you are telling someone you are listening, be it a good, bad or ugly situation. Or just talking about listening.
As an eager fellow member I hope we have a lot of different poetry competition threads coming up from you all. The various ideas you have are mind expanding! It's fun to play or just spectate!
PS how do you feel about being limited in numbers of poem submissions. Do you like to win as a poet per competition, or by the poem?
Thanks for reading!
EW
Let's have poems about your feelings on listening to others.
Any format you like as long as it's a poem, song lyrics, spoken word, or even short story.Clean enough to avoid an 18+ label.
2 peoms/etc if you like, no more
Collabs welcome.
Thread conversation welcome. We are here to have fun and grow as writers, most of all, right?
Imagine you are telling someone you are listening, be it a good, bad or ugly situation. Or just talking about listening.
As an eager fellow member I hope we have a lot of different poetry competition threads coming up from you all. The various ideas you have are mind expanding! It's fun to play or just spectate!
PS how do you feel about being limited in numbers of poem submissions. Do you like to win as a poet per competition, or by the poem?
Thanks for reading!
EW
Deafening - - - - (for the I'm listening Comp)
There are none so deaf
as those who refuse to hear
and those who cannot listen
Listening is a skill, a craft
it takes intent and commitment
it takes the desire to be human
it takes kindness and compassion
and a strong caring heart
If you are interested in learning
remember we can learn from anyone
prince or pauper matter not a jot
we must bury our own ego needs
it can't always be about you
advice can't be given without knowing
support is not given by the selfish
everyone has a voice, few are listened to
people lose their voice under the bedlam
too many people preferring to sound off
if you hear, you'll get it
if you listen, you will learn
if you're hearing you will gain true understanding
if you're listening you will be able to empathise
hearing and listening is your free gift to others
the equation is so very simple
listen a lot more
talk a lot less
as those who refuse to hear
and those who cannot listen
Listening is a skill, a craft
it takes intent and commitment
it takes the desire to be human
it takes kindness and compassion
and a strong caring heart
If you are interested in learning
remember we can learn from anyone
prince or pauper matter not a jot
we must bury our own ego needs
it can't always be about you
advice can't be given without knowing
support is not given by the selfish
everyone has a voice, few are listened to
people lose their voice under the bedlam
too many people preferring to sound off
if you hear, you'll get it
if you listen, you will learn
if you're hearing you will gain true understanding
if you're listening you will be able to empathise
hearing and listening is your free gift to others
the equation is so very simple
listen a lot more
talk a lot less
Written by David_Macleod
(14397816)
Go To Page
A Perfect Memory
It is said, by other cultures,
that all water has a memory,
always seeking the way home.
As you know since I first found you,
I no longer tend a garden,
not tradition as we knew it:
my knees ground bare & sodden’d,
two hands in terra cotta
with my breezy straw hat on
in a bright tenacious sun.
And instead of gather’d water
from a chatty spring nearby,
I'm reduced to jelly glasses
in the sink in which I wash,
rinsing moss from where it lays
as I listen with my eyes.
And the water where it’s flowing
still can find me where I’m seen
in my own lone convalescence,
giving me and carrot greens
a sense, at last, of growing.
Even here as I find respite,
I take comfort from the view
giving flight outside the window,
in the feathers of my pen
and the way I always do
as I listen to your birdsong;
You’re a story never-end.
Even though my body's bow’d
and can't join to run along,
spoken word & long-hand friend.
Yet and still I know I'm bless'd,
not afraid to be alone,
doing anything I want to
in my writing down in verse,
where the water always finds me
while I quench you of your thirst.
that all water has a memory,
always seeking the way home.
As you know since I first found you,
I no longer tend a garden,
not tradition as we knew it:
my knees ground bare & sodden’d,
two hands in terra cotta
with my breezy straw hat on
in a bright tenacious sun.
And instead of gather’d water
from a chatty spring nearby,
I'm reduced to jelly glasses
in the sink in which I wash,
rinsing moss from where it lays
as I listen with my eyes.
And the water where it’s flowing
still can find me where I’m seen
in my own lone convalescence,
giving me and carrot greens
a sense, at last, of growing.
Even here as I find respite,
I take comfort from the view
giving flight outside the window,
in the feathers of my pen
and the way I always do
as I listen to your birdsong;
You’re a story never-end.
Even though my body's bow’d
and can't join to run along,
spoken word & long-hand friend.
Yet and still I know I'm bless'd,
not afraid to be alone,
doing anything I want to
in my writing down in verse,
where the water always finds me
while I quench you of your thirst.
Written by Jade-Pandora
(jade tiger)
Go To Page
To listen or not to listen...a dialogue
"How are you?"
"I had a tough day today...felt anxious about money and how to pay for-"
"I know, I know....you should start meditating. Meditation will help you to be more in the moment and help you trust everything will be ok."
"Maybe....however there are some things in my life that need action, otherwise things get more-"
"Well, when I feel that way I sit back and make a list of things that need to be done and go step by step....that usually works, you know..."
"I know that and I was just about to say it.... I already wrote a bunch of things down and then yesterday-"
"By the way....also, sometimes....oh, I remember back in 1985 we moved to a new appartment and things where tight and and I almost lost my cool because Me and my husband started to stress out to much...that's when I learned about eating right. How is your diet? Are you eating right?"
"Eating...? Yes I eat-"
"I mean healthy? Do you eat the right foods, like organic vegetables.... I discovered that my mind works much better when I get the right nutrients....do you have any allergies?"
"Allergies...? No I don't think so.... I have always eaten healthy, I mean that's 101 right...
Look, I get the sense that you-"
"How about exercise...? Do you exercise enough. That really helps with depression and anxiety. Maybe you can start a yoga class or pilates, that really helped me with my back pain....and by the way, that's where I met my good friend Sandy...she is such a good friend. You know Sandy has this cute little dog that she adopted...."
"Listen, I don't want to hear about Sandy and her Dog... I am feeling anxious and-"
"You are indulging and you haven't been listening to me. I just gave you a few pearls of wisdom...you don't seem to appreciate that. You want to hold on to your negativity...."
"I have been listening to you for the whole time. You keep cutting me off in mid sentence and you go on about yourself...on and on you go-"
"I am just trying to help...there is lots you can learn from a person who is a bit older than you. What has happened to respecting the elders? People get wise as they get older...back in the days we were listened to by the younger ones....they learned from us-"
"Good damn, You asked me how I was doing and I tried to tell you... I didn't ask for advice, I just share what's going on...but you don't even-"
"Hey, now you are getting angry at me....what's that gonna accomplish? You might want to consider a change in some of your attitudes. I often find it works better to have a good laugh than to take things too hard.... I was just trying to-"
"May I politely interrupt you....? I think I had enough. I have things to do. Bye now!"
"Oh well....bye!"
Sulking.....
Silence.............finally
"I had a tough day today...felt anxious about money and how to pay for-"
"I know, I know....you should start meditating. Meditation will help you to be more in the moment and help you trust everything will be ok."
"Maybe....however there are some things in my life that need action, otherwise things get more-"
"Well, when I feel that way I sit back and make a list of things that need to be done and go step by step....that usually works, you know..."
"I know that and I was just about to say it.... I already wrote a bunch of things down and then yesterday-"
"By the way....also, sometimes....oh, I remember back in 1985 we moved to a new appartment and things where tight and and I almost lost my cool because Me and my husband started to stress out to much...that's when I learned about eating right. How is your diet? Are you eating right?"
"Eating...? Yes I eat-"
"I mean healthy? Do you eat the right foods, like organic vegetables.... I discovered that my mind works much better when I get the right nutrients....do you have any allergies?"
"Allergies...? No I don't think so.... I have always eaten healthy, I mean that's 101 right...
Look, I get the sense that you-"
"How about exercise...? Do you exercise enough. That really helps with depression and anxiety. Maybe you can start a yoga class or pilates, that really helped me with my back pain....and by the way, that's where I met my good friend Sandy...she is such a good friend. You know Sandy has this cute little dog that she adopted...."
"Listen, I don't want to hear about Sandy and her Dog... I am feeling anxious and-"
"You are indulging and you haven't been listening to me. I just gave you a few pearls of wisdom...you don't seem to appreciate that. You want to hold on to your negativity...."
"I have been listening to you for the whole time. You keep cutting me off in mid sentence and you go on about yourself...on and on you go-"
"I am just trying to help...there is lots you can learn from a person who is a bit older than you. What has happened to respecting the elders? People get wise as they get older...back in the days we were listened to by the younger ones....they learned from us-"
"Good damn, You asked me how I was doing and I tried to tell you... I didn't ask for advice, I just share what's going on...but you don't even-"
"Hey, now you are getting angry at me....what's that gonna accomplish? You might want to consider a change in some of your attitudes. I often find it works better to have a good laugh than to take things too hard.... I was just trying to-"
"May I politely interrupt you....? I think I had enough. I have things to do. Bye now!"
"Oh well....bye!"
Sulking.....
Silence.............finally
Written by Angelast1
Go To Page
Open my ears
With senses dulled like no other
Gates of music rusted shut by tears
When the oil flows then party too loud;
until the next rain shuts me down
Untrained and clumsy
Without a dream to motivate and commit
Humanity screamed too loud;
left me weak and bleeding
So bad I would be learning
Too wild for just anyone
Only a prince could bust a wall
Ego already has too many issues
to get left out of the conversation again
I don't know enough to have anything to say
but your words could start my theatre
So please jump up on my stage
and maybe you'll get a fresh idea
even if you don't get heard
If you speak I might hear
If you make me listen we'll both learn
I could hear without learning even if I'm trying
I feel I could empathize but might not really understand
Pigs trampled my pearls and tore me up
Help me repair the equation
so I can listen more
and bluster less
Gates of music rusted shut by tears
When the oil flows then party too loud;
until the next rain shuts me down
Untrained and clumsy
Without a dream to motivate and commit
Humanity screamed too loud;
left me weak and bleeding
So bad I would be learning
Too wild for just anyone
Only a prince could bust a wall
Ego already has too many issues
to get left out of the conversation again
I don't know enough to have anything to say
but your words could start my theatre
So please jump up on my stage
and maybe you'll get a fresh idea
even if you don't get heard
If you speak I might hear
If you make me listen we'll both learn
I could hear without learning even if I'm trying
I feel I could empathize but might not really understand
Pigs trampled my pearls and tore me up
Help me repair the equation
so I can listen more
and bluster less
Written by EdibleWords
Go To Page
Waiting with You
I hear your heart’s voice weeping from the depths,
Even when on the surface you keep your poise,
I get the words you stress but your expression,
It’s an unfathomable pain that screams for help.
And yet in between the lines I heed the signs,
The light that once was is overshadowed by gloom,
Like prayers prayed with honesty and for heaven’s sake,
Hoping for something to come take the pain away.
I linger on the unspoken terms, the bout that burns,
Secrets escape through sudden sullen silent sighs,
And in your eyes I can tell there is a world of hurt,
Speaking softly, clearly, sincerely from your soul.
But I haven’t the words to heal, to help you deal,
To make it all go away or magically make it disappear,
All I can do is listen attentively and share in your pain,
Waiting with you until the sun comes up again.
I hear your heart’s voice weeping from the depths,
Even when on the surface you keep your poise,
I get the words you stress but your expression,
It’s an unfathomable pain that screams for help.
And yet in between the lines I heed the signs,
The light that once was is overshadowed by gloom,
Like prayers prayed with honesty and for heaven’s sake,
Hoping for something to come take the pain away.
I linger on the unspoken terms, the bout that burns,
Secrets escape through sudden sullen silent sighs,
And in your eyes I can tell there is a world of hurt,
Speaking softly, clearly, sincerely from your soul.
But I haven’t the words to heal, to help you deal,
To make it all go away or magically make it disappear,
All I can do is listen attentively and share in your pain,
Waiting with you until the sun comes up again.
Anonymous
<< post removed >>
Anonymous
<< post removed >>
Scenery medley contrasts
Marshes and meadows
Sunshine and shadows
Gentle ripples on the calm river
Foaming rapids in white water
The jungle echoes eerily in the semi-darkness
In daylight creepy-crawlies cleared the mess.
Peasants toiling and pheasants scratching
as I spy a cricket somersaulting
The cactus the desert's prickly femme-fatale
elsewhere a lone leaf floats in the canal
Prairie dogs go popping
while hares go hopping
and ladies go shopping
Swans have formed a fine V-line
The flora too is divine
as bees nosedive in bee-line.
Siesta seizes birdlovers too
Thus they miss out on the hoopoe's song
For the hoopoe, it does not sing on cue
since a bird may sing anytime to woo.
Green herbs and white mushrooms
Ah, birdie plumes and floral blooms
What a medley eh of contrasting scenery
Evening twilight and dawning greenery
Ah, wherever you go nature's so panoramic
While we make and take pictures
God actually made what's so picturesque!
Sunshine and shadows
Gentle ripples on the calm river
Foaming rapids in white water
The jungle echoes eerily in the semi-darkness
In daylight creepy-crawlies cleared the mess.
Peasants toiling and pheasants scratching
as I spy a cricket somersaulting
The cactus the desert's prickly femme-fatale
elsewhere a lone leaf floats in the canal
Prairie dogs go popping
while hares go hopping
and ladies go shopping
Swans have formed a fine V-line
The flora too is divine
as bees nosedive in bee-line.
Siesta seizes birdlovers too
Thus they miss out on the hoopoe's song
For the hoopoe, it does not sing on cue
since a bird may sing anytime to woo.
Green herbs and white mushrooms
Ah, birdie plumes and floral blooms
What a medley eh of contrasting scenery
Evening twilight and dawning greenery
Ah, wherever you go nature's so panoramic
While we make and take pictures
God actually made what's so picturesque!
Written by Zaynab_kamoonpury
Go To Page
Attentive
Baby let me hold you
Let me touch you
Where you need to be touched
Tell me exactly what it is you like
Confide in me
The secrets of your pleasures clutch
Baby won’t you guide me
Now that we’ve decided
To be more than friends
I want to be your body’s student
So I can master
Your pleasure exam
Baby teach me
I’m not afraid to be humble
I want to learn
Your intricacies
I know each woman has differences
So I won’t let my pride make me stumble
Baby guide me
So I can find my way
I have many techniques
That I’ve acquired
Guide me with responding moans
So I can explore
Your beautiful body’s sway
Baby let me
Memorize every single
Nerve ending that makes you twitch
As I compose a symphony
Orchestrating your
Orgasms with my switch
Baby grant me
Permission to please you at will
Now that I know all the things
That you know about yourself
There’s some thing’s
I’ve yet to instill
Let me give you
An experience you’ve yet to know
A level of ecstasy
You’ve yet to achieve
Now that I’ve mastered
Your previous level of satisfaction
I’m going above and beyond
For my Ph.D.
Let me touch you
Where you need to be touched
Tell me exactly what it is you like
Confide in me
The secrets of your pleasures clutch
Baby won’t you guide me
Now that we’ve decided
To be more than friends
I want to be your body’s student
So I can master
Your pleasure exam
Baby teach me
I’m not afraid to be humble
I want to learn
Your intricacies
I know each woman has differences
So I won’t let my pride make me stumble
Baby guide me
So I can find my way
I have many techniques
That I’ve acquired
Guide me with responding moans
So I can explore
Your beautiful body’s sway
Baby let me
Memorize every single
Nerve ending that makes you twitch
As I compose a symphony
Orchestrating your
Orgasms with my switch
Baby grant me
Permission to please you at will
Now that I know all the things
That you know about yourself
There’s some thing’s
I’ve yet to instill
Let me give you
An experience you’ve yet to know
A level of ecstasy
You’ve yet to achieve
Now that I’ve mastered
Your previous level of satisfaction
I’m going above and beyond
For my Ph.D.
Written by Lyrically_Inclined
Go To Page
Related submission no longer exists.
The echo toll
I am its foil
it seeps from unconsecrated soil
a stone gargoyle anguished cries
hush a pin drops in the church
crumpled handkerchief
reflected disbelief's
the noise that everyday life had built
to save the blood so spil't
unhappiness its' "well that's hard lines"
to hear a whimper that cries help
a damaged aura death wish cult
just mockery the card that's dealt
the pleas the eyes dark depths can hold
inflections missed in hidden folds
the crossword clues in italics bold
a question asked with no response
the alarm bells sound for you to pounce
listening time that comes just once
to feel that guilt
the golden chance your ears have missed
second chance the whispered fault
my receivers bandwidth dial
the S-O-S and May Day call
for that response on static fell
it seeps from unconsecrated soil
a stone gargoyle anguished cries
hush a pin drops in the church
crumpled handkerchief
reflected disbelief's
the noise that everyday life had built
to save the blood so spil't
unhappiness its' "well that's hard lines"
to hear a whimper that cries help
a damaged aura death wish cult
just mockery the card that's dealt
the pleas the eyes dark depths can hold
inflections missed in hidden folds
the crossword clues in italics bold
a question asked with no response
the alarm bells sound for you to pounce
listening time that comes just once
to feel that guilt
the golden chance your ears have missed
second chance the whispered fault
my receivers bandwidth dial
the S-O-S and May Day call
for that response on static fell
Written by slipalong
Go To Page
TRANSCODING
Are ears for hearing or listening?
I wonder.
However,
My ears are quite amazing if you ask me.
Sometimes I hear, sometimes I listen.
Sometimes...it's in between.
When the conversation is boring...
I hear but struggle to listen.
When the conversation is engaging...
Sometimes I hear, sometimes I listen.
When the conversation is important...
I listen even without hearing.
When the conversation is erotic...
I try to hear but only listen.
When the conversation is holy...
I hear, I listen.
When the conversation is demeaning...
I only hear.
When the conversation is scary...
I don't hear nor listen.
When the conversation is mutual and friendly...
I listen because I hear everything.
I wonder.
However,
My ears are quite amazing if you ask me.
Sometimes I hear, sometimes I listen.
Sometimes...it's in between.
When the conversation is boring...
I hear but struggle to listen.
When the conversation is engaging...
Sometimes I hear, sometimes I listen.
When the conversation is important...
I listen even without hearing.
When the conversation is erotic...
I try to hear but only listen.
When the conversation is holy...
I hear, I listen.
When the conversation is demeaning...
I only hear.
When the conversation is scary...
I don't hear nor listen.
When the conversation is mutual and friendly...
I listen because I hear everything.
Written by eleven_mashariki
Go To Page
Are you Listening
hush, baby, are you listening
to the lullaby of life
the gentle soughing
of the passing wind
do you hear the gentle calling
of woods' spirits playing
among the flowers and saplings
of bushy shrubs in the spring
leave life's concern
for a little while listen
to splashes of springs
ripples under the hyacinth
no sorrow for time gone
no grieving for past life
we stand together you and I
in the now, under the same sky
the forest awaits
I will dance with you
in my mind and heart
among the green wilderness.
to the lullaby of life
the gentle soughing
of the passing wind
do you hear the gentle calling
of woods' spirits playing
among the flowers and saplings
of bushy shrubs in the spring
leave life's concern
for a little while listen
to splashes of springs
ripples under the hyacinth
no sorrow for time gone
no grieving for past life
we stand together you and I
in the now, under the same sky
the forest awaits
I will dance with you
in my mind and heart
among the green wilderness.
Written by Grace
(IDryad)
Go To Page
