Poetry competition CLOSED 1st August 2019 8:53pm
WINNER
wallyroo92
View Profile Poems by wallyroo92
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RUNNERS-UP: Heaven_sent_Kathy and AspergerPoet56

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The only poem that matters

Ahavati
Tams
Tyrant of Words
United States 122awards
Joined 11th Apr 2015
Forum Posts: 16677

Poetry Contest

The Classic Corner: Agnes Török Tribute

Co-Host - JohnnyBlaze ( also the amazing artist who rendered Török's portrait )

Part XVII in an ongoing series introducing serious writers of DUP to the most well-known poets in classical and modern literature.

Agnes Török is a spoken word performer, author, TED speaker and workshop leader from Stockholm, Sweden.  Török writes, publishes and teaches in two languages. Her work has been published in three collections, one spoken word album and several crowdfunded spoken word videos. She has toured on four continents and been featured at book and poetry festivals.

Her spoken word theatre shows have won awards and acclaim at the world largest spoken word festivals, and she has produced new work in collaboration with BBC, Films for Action, Dangerous Women Project and Upworthy among others.

For more information, visit https://agnestorok.org/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-qXFY-DiXXQpi19ZpgcBFw/feed

Guidelines

Write a new poem honoring  Török inspired by any of her poems. Do your best to make us feel as though we are reading poems by Török. The more we feel you "capturing her essence" in "your own words" , the higher you will score. This will involve choice of wording, delivery, subject material, formatting, target audience - a wide range of factors.

The Rules

1. One entry per DUP persona.

2. No erotica; this is open to all ages and can't be viewed with an ECW.

3. No exact word limit; however, attempt to keep it no more than 250 - 300.

4. Any form ( including spoken word ) is acceptable ( studying the poet is advised ).  If you are submitting a spoken word, post the actual poem in the body of your post. We do have deaf members, and while they may not be able to listen, they can at least read and garner the essence of your submission.

5. Hashtag your poem #AgnesTörök, and link to your poem here. Do NOT copy paste your poem to the competition. The point is to eventually direct visitors searching for Levertov to your poem via the hashtag we hope will eventually be implemented by the Webmiss.

6. In your poem's notes, provide a link to the poem(s) by Török  that inspired yours ( please do not forget this step - we have had wonderful entries which were disqualified for not adhering to this simple yet required step ).  

Comp will be judged by a panel including myself. You have one month; best of luck to all entrants.

NEW:  The competition will be promoted across our social network sites, and winners will be published on our Website: http://poeticmedics.com/.

Jade-Pandora
jade tiger
Tyrant of Words
United States 154awards
Joined 9th Nov 2015
Forum Posts: 5134

Joy-Filled

( after Agnes Török )    
   
   
So welcome to my little show    
Of inspiration’s need-to-know.    
In search of happiness to grow    
And have a life of healthy glow.    
   
I’m not even quite twenty-three!    
I’m here to show a destiny    
With all of you who came to see    
If what I spout’s your cup of tea.    
   
I spent my youth to never guess    
What did I know of happiness?    
In my belief had I been blessed;    
So now I’m here and on a quest.    
   
Applies to you? Just raise a hand    
For you and I to have a plan,    
To spread a smile thru’out the land;    
Uplift a life, won’t that be grand!    
.    
Alone or with a friend in crime,
It doesn’t need a word to rhyme.
But our duet between the time,
We think alike as one great mind!
 
To letting go without a care,
Like being filled with happy air!
Inhaling deep will take you there,
A dizzying self-love affair.
 
The love to laugh begins with you.
Receive the joy and when you do,
Like happy seeds that grow into
The crockpots full of happy stew!
 
For morning, night & afternoon,
At anytime and very soon—
To float up high over the moon;
A gift of health is laughter's boon!



 
Written by Jade-Pandora (jade tiger)
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AspergerPoet56
Tyrant of Words
Scotland 33awards
Joined 4th Dec 2018
Forum Posts: 1898

All Are Welcome

Scroungers of society    
That’s what we are  
It’s an inclusive club    
They offer the same opportunities  
As long as they don’t need to support you    
    
So join join join    
All are welcome    
   
It’s a con to get you into the slave market    
Be productive be proactive    
But don’t let the disability hinder    
They will cut you off at the knees    
If it means saving money and making profit  
   
So join join join  
All are welcome    
   
Come on it’s fun    
Forget anxiety  forget depression  
Get out there be sociable  
Just don’t get weird or lose control    
Then you can’t be in the gang  
   
So join join join  
All are welcome    
   
Jump through the hoops    
It don’t matter that your disability is permanent    
Any nuance of change is enough  
We will punish your ass    
For trying to be a member of society    
   
So join join join  
All are welcome    
   
For to be included    
You have to show willing    
In being willing your disability isn’t a problem    
You don’t deserve help    
Get a job you scrounger    
   
So join join join    
All are welcome    
Unless you are a burden    
   
# Agnes Török

This was inspired  by the Agnes Török  poem Worthless
Written by AspergerPoet56
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snugglebuck
Dangerous Mind
United States 77awards
Joined 3rd Feb 2014
Forum Posts: 1873

💘Love & Chocolate 🍫

Love is a slippery slope
To sex
Made all the more dangerous  
When the slope  
Is wet,
With a slick glaze of,
Chocolate
 
If you doubt  
That chocolate  
Is an aphrodisiac
That melts the heart
And fires the libido  
See how lucky  
You'll get
After giving your amore
A pint of,
Cottage cheese

#AgnesTörök

Inspired by her poem, Comfort Food (and nightly cries)
Written by snugglebuck
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Ahavati
Tams
Tyrant of Words
United States 122awards
Joined 11th Apr 2015
Forum Posts: 16677

Thank you for all the entries so far.  August's Classic Corner poll is now live! Be sure to vote for next month's Female Feature to run alongside E.E. Cummings!

https://deepundergroundpoetry.com/forum/speakeasy/read/10870/

Ahavati
Tams
Tyrant of Words
United States 122awards
Joined 11th Apr 2015
Forum Posts: 16677

WHAT KEEPS ME GOING

( after Agnes Török )    
     
Justice:      
   or the thought thereof—      
       its very existence      
   an experience of hope—      
     
   that thing      
       you almost forgot      
   while suffering    
      its grave counterpart;      
     
so liberating its truth      
  you are almost too afraid    
  to accept      
    it is what you deserve—      
     
it’s fairies      
sending you to sleep      
         with dreams again;      
     
a prodigal son      
being received      
         by gratitude;    
     
 or, belief in the unknown—    
         that which is to come:    
 a reward of faith—    
 
the seemingly impossible coming to pass;  
       an ant who wrestled an elephant    
       walking away unscathed      
~        
     
#AgnesTörök
Written by Ahavati (Tams)
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Non-entry

poet Anonymous

Related submission no longer exists.

Heaven_sent_Kathy
Thought Provoker
United States 9awards
Joined 1st Nov 2017
Forum Posts: 177

Will Anyone Believe Me

( after Agnes Török )  

 
How many of us, no matter our gender  
or where we live, can remember a time  
in our lives, - now help me, think back -  
well, some of us will need to go back  
further than others
, when life didn’t  
always mean filled with danger & fear?  
 
Imagine how it was, and how it is now.  
times of what sexual violence is today.  
That we are, all of us, touched in ways  
that make us victim, supporter, abuser,  
enabler, judge & jury, for good or bad,  
untouched? yet clean hands no longer.  
 
I know because I was one of many who  
believed as youth fresh from a cocoon  
that there was only now. Now to do the  
things that youth feels the God-given  
right to do & be & experience perhaps  
forever, being the first immortals ever.  
 
And so, just as I ventured out beyond  
the cocoon, my wings unfurled and dry  
from the sun, uplifted on the breezes,  
I was caught and caged into servitude  
with bars of that cage existing only in  
my mind, and a cage is not meant to be.  
 
Sometimes I wonder which is stronger,  
the body or the mind, and is it the body  
or the mind that must break free of the  
unnatural bonds by the minds that are  
deranged? How did I not realize what  
was being taken that’s precious to me?  
 
Rape is ongoing around the world with  
every breath we take; to every gender,  
age and walk-of-life with violence that  
shackles its victims, making it hard not  
to become overwhelmed, or a recluse,  
because rape is of the body and mind.  
 
So if it’s happened to you, a spouse, a  
lover, a family member, a dear friend,  
a colleague at school, or work, in your  
support group, even someone who is  
not on your list, you need to know  
as they ask “Will anyone believe me?”  
 
However you reply will mean their life.  
will give them light or dash all hopes,  
unlock a door & open windows wide.  
Take hold their hand and go outside,  
show them there’s a great wide world  
that’s been waiting all along for them.  
 
We, all of us together, can ensure on  
that day when the victims are freed,  
and no more will people be victimized;  
is when we listen to their words, and  
no stigma or dogma is ever force-fed.  
To stand and show that No means No.  

 
Written by Heaven_sent_Kathy
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imogeequeen
Twisted Dreamer
United States
Joined 7th Apr 2019
Forum Posts: 16

Roz_EZ and Raz_ORS

The scars on my breasts    
Will never heal      
They are too deep      
Physical mastectomy scars      
Affecting my womanhood      
Don't look good      
In a swimsuit      
Roses and razors      
My gift to the world      
I don't do nakedness      
Only in the dark      
      
Deeper still the psychological      
The coldness of being      
Need heart defibrillation       
Paddles from a canoe      
Cause bruised ribs      
Black and blue face      
The swelling is telling      
My life a microcosm      
Roses and razors      
My ex-boyfriend      
Was really an animal      
     
Held down repeatedly      
By his master's voice      
Forced romanticism      
Roses and razors      
A kiss with a fist      
Sex,sex,sex, and      
Don't forget the violence      
How can I?      
He said I should      
Get a job in Hooters      
The heart shatters      
     
Need open heart surgery      
Roll away the stone      
Heart transplant      
To change this      
This Ice Queen Bitch      
Into Martha Stewart      
Before the scars on my      
Chest and heart      
Are overtaken by      
The self-inflicted scars      
I cut into my arms      
Razors and roses    
   
   
#AgnesTörök    
   
Inspiration "This Little Fight Of Mine"
Written by imogeequeen
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0-100takeflight
TakeFlight
Twisted Dreamer
United States
Joined 27th May 2019
Forum Posts: 17

Wow analogy at its best

Josh
Joshua Bond
Tyrant of Words
Palestine 41awards
Joined 2nd Feb 2017
Forum Posts: 1819

No Defence for the Defence Industry

Josh (Joshua Bond)
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NO DEFENCE FOR THE “DEFENCE” INDUSTRY

The so-called “Defence” Industry is a $1.8Trillion Dollar Industry
Did you clock that?
1.8 trillion dollar’s worth of activity hell bent on destruction:
infrastructure, governments, agriculture, people’s houses, jobs.
Jobs? Don’t the those in favour of the so-called “Defence Industry”
keep reminding us how many jobs are provided by the …
… well let’s call a spade a spade … by the War Industry?
Have you ever thought how many jobs are destroyed by the War Industry,
how many livelihoods, self-employed, small-time farmers, shop-owners
small businesses blown up by the big bullies?
What do you think the 70 million people displaced by war were doing before?
Well, they were working, that’s what - doing jobs, that’s what. O.K, half of them are children, but even so.
So don’t give me that bull-shit about the War Industry providing jobs;
it destroys jobs.
… and people by the way if you hadn’t noticed - about 30 million die from wars each year - never mind the maimed as the icing on the cake for psychotic developers of insane weapons.

And what kind of jobs are they anyway? Does working on a bullet production-line make your heart sing? Does spending your undoubted engineering or computer talent developing weapons guidance systems feel like meaningful work?

Have you ever wondered why millions of refugees are heading for Europe, stimulating the rise of far-right populist leaders - and national psychic meltdowns like Brexit?
Well, their home countries have been blown up, destabilised, impoverished … that’s why they’re heading elsewhere - that’s why they’re called ‘refugees’ - they’re seeking refuge from bombs, that’s why.

The big bullies have this game, you see - it’s called blowing up the Middle East - any country will do as long as it’s not Israel. - Let’s tick a few of them off shall we, since 1980: Iran (1980, 1987-1988), Libya (1981, 1986, 1989, 2011), Lebanon (1983), Kuwait (1991), Iraq (1991-2011, 2014-), Somalia (1992-1993, 2007-), Bosnia (1995), Saudi Arabia (1991, 1996), Afghanistan (1998, 2001- ongoing just in case you’d forgotten), Sudan (1998), Kosovo (1999), Yemen (2000, 2002-), Pakistan (2004-), Syria (2008-), and any moment now, Iran again.  And that’s just the Middle-East.

Do you see what I’m getting at?
The War Industry claims legitimacy as a mechanism of security & peace-making  (What?!?)
The War Industry claims legitimacy because it provides jobs (What?!?)
The War Industry claims legitimacy as an economic stimulus (What?!?)

What type of work would you rather do … ?
It's a choice.




#AgnesTörök



This poem was essentially motivated by the closing lines of Török's poem "Manifesto" {https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pY7xD6hOdz0}, and otherwise informed for style of delivery by watching several other of her youtube performances.



eswaller
Dangerous Mind
United States 31awards
Joined 22nd Dec 2015
Forum Posts: 762

Our Fight (Agnes Török Tribute)

It is okay for those tears to slip and slide down
Your face. It is okay to take off your mask, to
Take down your hair or to remove your crown
 
Completely because the truth confronting you
And all of us head on is something we cannot
Avoid for the long run. We shed light on a slew
 
Of feelings that we try to swerve. We fought
Tooth and nail against the darkness with our
Vulnerabilities still intact. Others talk or plot
 
Only in the easy times, but in that dark hour
When we feel the most alone and scared of
All the hard stuff we give people the power
 
To share their own stories. No one can un love
Us because we have no hallways or corridors
To let any of the light in. We keep our gloves
 
On just to feel strong and we become foragers
Looking for food or shelter as we are fully able
To survive the storm. We come to cross rivers
 
And across a fork in the road. We want stable
Lives and having sunshine every day could
Easily feel like living in someone else’s fable,
 
But we always try hard every day as the wood
From the trees continue to grow. We are all
Human in our own ways. Beautifully, good,
 
Bad, broken and fragilely human. The wall
Eventually comes down and we will heal from
The burdens we carry. Fears that we scrawl
 
On walls disappear. We no longer succumb
To fears and their power to take us with them.  
 
#agnestörök
Written by eswaller
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wallyroo92
Tyrant of Words
United States 153awards
Joined 11th July 2012
Forum Posts: 1858

A Catalyst for Change

Perhaps as I’ve gotten older
And have seen what the world can offer,
I’ve been a little more optimistic in life,
Not just for myself, but especially those surrounding me.
By pushing myself to be more positive,
My enthusiasm can probably become contagious (viral if you will)
So that more and more people can begin to see the brighter side of things.

By changing my thinking,
I know I can become a better man,
A better father,
Son,
Brother,
Poet,
I can improve in so many areas in my personal life and career,
My actions will speak loud, volumes,
My compassion will reach others,
And influence the young minds around me to strive,
To be sympathetic toward those who have less.
To share,
To be of service without expecting anything in return.

If we connect at a different level,
Maybe we can understand ourselves and each other better,
It may shed light on our subconscious,
Knowing our worth and purpose,
We can become that catalyst for change,
Because in a not-so-perfect world,
We should be brave ones to push through and reach,
To lead and leave a legacy for generations to come,
If we take that first step toward change,
Like a domino effect,
More will follow.


#AgnesTörök
Written by wallyroo92
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Ahavati
Tams
Tyrant of Words
United States 122awards
Joined 11th Apr 2015
Forum Posts: 16677

Thank you again to each entrant who took the time to study and honor Török with a tributary piece. As you know, judging can be quite tough in competitions like this, which is why we have a particular scale to guide us in regards to essence, content, form, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and, lastly, adherence to guidelines.  When neck-to-neck with another entrant one simple mistake can knock you out of placement.  Each was judged on a scale between 1-5, with 5 being the highest possible score, 1 the lowest.

But the bottom line came down to this:  Do your best to make us feel as though we are reading poems by Török

That being said, congratulations to the following winners:

First Place: Wallyroo92
Despite a slight hiccup in punctuation within the last 7 lines ( a comma needs to be a period ), we felt you totally without question conveyed Török's style and essence. This is the first time we have awarded the trophy to a poem with a punctuation error; however, Török was a stickler about not being perfect - and being perfectly imperfect - and accepting imperfections. Therefore, we could not deny you first place based on an endstop in this case.

Second Place: Heven_sent_Kathy
Despite the ampersands and a tad of inconsistent capitalization, it's very much the essence of Török.  We loved that you put the reader in the Jury Box, and awarded you second place based on the premise stated in Wally's response.

Third Place: AsperberPoet56
We thought you made great use of the inspiration poem. Török got her point across by making comparisons while you got your point across by being sarcastic. It was a great twist of your own style while maintaining the essence of Török.

If each of you wishes to know your personal scores, please private message and we will be happy to share them along with our notes.

Again, thank you to all entrants who braved Török. Please join us for August's female Classic Corner Tribute featuring Anne Sexton:

https://deepundergroundpoetry.com/forum/competitions/read/10911/

AspergerPoet56
Tyrant of Words
Scotland 33awards
Joined 4th Dec 2018
Forum Posts: 1898

Congratulations Wallyroo on winning the competition

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