Poetry competition CLOSED 20th February 2020 4:25pm
WINNER
Gahddess_Worship (Osomajestuoso)
Gahddess_Worship (Osomajestuoso)
RUNNERS-UP:
Blackwolf
and Ely
Technology and the Human Condition
Ghost in the Binary
01001001 00100000 01110011 01100001 01110110 01100101 01100100 00100000 01101101 01111001 00100000 01101101 01101001 01101110 01100100 00100000 01110100 01101111 00100000 01100001 00100000 01101101 01100101 01101101 01101111 01110010 01111001 00100000 01110011 01110100 01101001 01100011 01101011 00100000 00100000 00001010 01110011 01101111 00100000 01001001 00100000 01100011 01100001 01101110 00100000 01110010 01100101 01100010 01101111 01101111 01110100 00100000 01101001 01101110 00100000 01100011 01100001 01110011 01100101 00100000 01001001 00100000 01100111 01100101 01110100 00100000 01110011 01101001 01100011 01101011 00101110 00100000 00100000 00001010 01001101 01111001 00100000 01110110 01100101 01110010 01110011 01101001 01101111 01101110 00100000 01100011 01101111 01101110 01110100 01110010 01101111 01101100 00100000 01110011 01100001 01111001 01110011 00100000 01100100 01101111 01101110 00100111 01110100 00100000 01100001 01110011 01101011 00100000 01101101 01100101 00100000 00100000 00001010 01100001 01101110 01100100 00100000 01001001 00100111 01110110 01100101 00100000 01110011 01110100 01100001 01110010 01110100 01100101 01100100 00100000 01110100 01101111 00100000 01110011 01101001 01101110 01100111 00100000 01101001 01101110 00100000 01001101 01010000 00110011 00101110 00100000 00100000 00001010 01000101 01100001 01100011 01101000 00100000 01110100 01101001 01101101 01100101 00100000 01001001 00100000 01110100 01110010 01111001 00100000 01110100 01101111 00100000 01100011 01100001 01101100 01101100 00100000 01101111 01110101 01110100 00100000 01100001 00100000 01101110 01100001 01101101 01100101 00100000 00100000 00001010 01001001 00100000 01100001 01110011 01101011 00100000 01100110 01101111 01110010 00100000 01100001 00100000 01110000 01100001 01110011 01110011 01110111 01101111 01110010 01100100 00100000 01100001 01101110 01100100 00100000 01110011 01110100 01100001 01110010 01110100 00100000 01100001 01100111 01100001 01101001 01101110 00101110 00100000 00100000 00001010 01001101 01111001 00100000 01101101 01100101 01101101 01101111 01110010 01101001 01100101 01110011 00100000 01100011 01100001 01101110 00100111 01110100 00100000 01110000 01101100 01100001 01111001 00100000 01101111 01110010 00100000 01110111 01100001 01101100 01101011 00100000 01110011 01110100 01110010 01100001 01101001 01100111 01101000 01110100 00100000 01100001 01101110 01111001 01101101 01101111 01110010 01100101 00100000 00100000 00001010 01100010 01100101 01100011 01100001 01110101 01110011 01100101 00100000 01001001 00100000 01100100 01101111 01101110 00100111 01110100 00100000 01101000 01100001 01110110 01100101 00100000 01100001 00100000 01100100 01110010 01101001 01110110 01100101 01110010 00100000 01100110 01101111 01110010 00100000 01100001 01101110 00100000 01001101 01010000 00110100 00101110 00100000 00100000 00001010 01010011 01101111 01101101 01100101 01110100 01101001 01101101 01100101 01110011 00100000 01101100 01101001 01110100 01110100 01101100 01100101 00100000 01110011 01101111 01110101 01101110 01100100 01110011 00100000 01101011 01100101 01100101 01110000 00100000 01100011 01101111 01101101 01101001 01101110 01100111 00100000 01100010 01100001 01100011 01101011 00100000 00100000 00001010 01100010 01110101 01110100 00100000 01101001 01110100 00100111 01110011 00100000 01110101 01110011 01110101 01100001 01101100 01101100 01111001 00100000 01101010 01110101 01110011 01110100 00100000 01110100 01101000 01100101 00100000 01100001 01110101 01100100 01101001 01101111 00100000 01110100 01110010 01100001 01100011 01101011 00101110 00100000 00100000 00001010 01001001 00100111 01101101 00100000 01100010 01100101 01100111 01101001 01101110 01101110 01101001 01101110 01100111 00100000 01110100 01101111 00100000 01110100 01101000 01101001 01101110 01101011 00100000 01101101 01111001 00100000 01100110 01101001 01101100 01100101 00100000 01101001 01110011 00100000 01100011 01101111 01110010 01110010 01110101 01110000 01110100 00100000 00100000 00001010 01100001 01110011 00100000 01101101 01101111 01110011 01110100 00100000 01101111 01100110 00100000 01101101 01111001 00100000 01110011 01110000 01100101 01100101 01100011 01101000 00100000 01101001 01110011 00100000 01100110 01101111 01110101 01101100 00100000 01100001 01101110 01100100 00100000 01100001 01100010 01110010 01110101 01110000 01110100 00101110 00100000 00100000 00100000 00001010 01010100 01101000 01100101 00100000 01110011 01110101 01110010 01100111 01100101 01101111 01101110 00100000 01110011 01100001 01111001 01110011 00100000 01110011 01101000 01100101 00100000 01100011 01100001 01101110 00100000 01110010 01100101 01101101 01101111 01110110 01100101 00100000 01110100 01101000 01100101 00100000 01110100 01110101 01101101 01101111 01110010 00100000 00100000 00001010 01110111 01101001 01110100 01101000 00100000 01100001 00100000 00110010 00110000 00100101 00100000 01100011 01101000 01100001 01101110 01100011 01100101 00100000 01101111 01100110 00100000 01100001 00100000 01110111 01100101 01101001 01110010 01100100 00100000 01110011 01100101 01101110 01110011 01100101 00100000 01101111 01100110 00100000 01101000 01110101 01101101 01101111 01110010 00101110 00100000 00100000 00001010 01001000 01100001 01101100 01100110 00100000 01101111 01100110 00100000 01101101 01100101 00100000 01110111 01100001 01101110 01110100 01110011 00100000 01110100 01101111 00100000 01110011 01110100 01100001 01111001 00100000 01100011 01101111 01101101 01110000 01101100 01100101 01110100 01100101 00100000 00100000 00001010 01100001 01101110 01100100 00100000 01110100 01101000 01100101 00100000 01101111 01110100 01101000 01100101 01110010 00100000 01101000 01100001 01101100 01100110 00100000 01101001 01110011 00100000 01110100 01100101 01110010 01110010 01101001 01100110 01101001 01100101 01100100 00100000 01101111 01100110 00100000 01000011 01110100 01110010 01101100 00100000 01000001 01101100 01110100 00100000 01000100 01100101 01101100 01100101 01110100 01100101 00101110
Written by Razzerleaf
Go To Page
Artificial Existence
On my holodeck overlooking my hologram garden I shared a glass of synthetic wine with Synthia, my charming cyborg significant other.
Everything was beautiful and so wonderfully peaceful till the great Prime-Optim super computer crashed. When suddenly I found my manufactured heaven reduced to an oxygen starved world called, Abaddon.
On my holodeck overlooking my hologram garden I shared a glass of synthetic wine with Synthia, my charming cyborg significant other.
Everything was beautiful and so wonderfully peaceful till the great Prime-Optim super computer crashed. When suddenly I found my manufactured heaven reduced to an oxygen starved world called, Abaddon.
Anonymous
<< post removed >>
[ SciFi & Fantasy ] The Tenth Melissa
Five kilometers underground
manufactured in secret
along with nine others
Shadow government facility
Absent parents or brothers
a hive of sisterhood
intentions far from altruistic
pretensed as Greater Good
plaus • i • ble de • ni • a • bil • i • ty
Thus a little known story
in which chaos erupted;
cloning experiment gone awry---
gene pool corrupted
Siblings
anywhere from deformed
to downright psychotic
full of rage, pent up violence
to passive, quite robotic---
unlike her
perfect in every way:
balanced, beautiful, intelligent
from conception
she was the exception
The Tenth Melissa
And then one artificial sun day
she lifted a security guard's pistol
---shot him point blank in the face
Level 9 Access card, she stole
Commandeered the control room
---locked down every exit
That this was ever coming
Not a single soul saw it
No matter how much praise
was heaped upon on her
she viewed herself a monster
an abomination
and refused to go on living
knowing the worst in her
was manifest in her kin
knowing the worst in them
resided just below the surface of her
skin
Self Destruct Mechanism Activated
Self Destruct Mechanism Activated
Self Destruct Mechanism Activated
Countdown To Detonation Sequence Commencing
Ten
Pounding the shatter proof glass
they begged her to let them in
fearing for their lives
Nine
Trapped
Rats in a maze scurrying
Cell Phones Not Permitted On Premises
No calling children, husbands, wives
Eight
"Wait, Melissa - wait!
"It doesn't have to be this way!"
"Just open the door!"
"Let's discuss this some more!"
Seven, Six, Five
They'd say anything to stay alive---
anything to spare their hides
but this Godplay needed exposing
The Truth would set her Free
Five, Four, Three
Not even Melissas Two through Nine
convinced her to stop the countdown
while Crazy Melissa Number One
cheered her on just for fun!
Four, Three, Two
"Sister, please don't do this!"
"You know we all love you!"
"Why, Melissa, Why?!"
Pleading was all they could do
except kiss their asses
One
Written by Magnetron
Go To Page
Thank You Dr. S
Thank you
Dr S
for teaching me
that burn patients
are people
that their injuries
are just challenges
to teach us
different ways to heal
thank you
for teaching me
that
a short pencil
is more valuable
than a long
memory
thank you
for writing down
your affirmations for assimilation
and passing them on
to each of your students
thank you
for being
knowledgable
yet open
strong
yet kind
thank you
for honoring
the contributions
of every member
of the team
thank you for teaching me
to embrace technology
to use it
effectively and efficiently
and to drop it
when someone needs
a hand to hold
a shoulder to cry on
or a kind word
thank you
for helping me
get past
my mistakes
through
my prejudices
beyond
my narrow vision
to see
the humanity
in every living being
no matter
how disfigured
or deformed
Dr S
for teaching me
that burn patients
are people
that their injuries
are just challenges
to teach us
different ways to heal
thank you
for teaching me
that
a short pencil
is more valuable
than a long
memory
thank you
for writing down
your affirmations for assimilation
and passing them on
to each of your students
thank you
for being
knowledgable
yet open
strong
yet kind
thank you
for honoring
the contributions
of every member
of the team
thank you for teaching me
to embrace technology
to use it
effectively and efficiently
and to drop it
when someone needs
a hand to hold
a shoulder to cry on
or a kind word
thank you
for helping me
get past
my mistakes
through
my prejudices
beyond
my narrow vision
to see
the humanity
in every living being
no matter
how disfigured
or deformed
Written by Kinkpoet
Go To Page
ODE TO A MODERN LOVER
I noticed
You were in a hurry
Not watching where you go
ear buds burrowed in too deep
head bowed to smart-phone glow
Pavement slick from morning downpour
Black Wingtips lost their footing
Witness a feat n’er seen before
Falling body still texting
Cue Samuel Barber’s
“Adagio for String”
As in slow motion,
phone slips from your grasp
From your mouth emits
A little girl scream
From the crowd an audible gasp
With a mighty splash
There it lay motionless
In a puddle deep and muddy
Kneeling down you pick him up
“I tried to save you li’l buddy”
Amid the crowd of somber faces
a barely audible whisper
“Oh come on, give me a break”
It’s just a stink’in device
Take it home, dry it off,
Put it in a bag of rice.
You were in a hurry
Not watching where you go
ear buds burrowed in too deep
head bowed to smart-phone glow
Pavement slick from morning downpour
Black Wingtips lost their footing
Witness a feat n’er seen before
Falling body still texting
Cue Samuel Barber’s
“Adagio for String”
As in slow motion,
phone slips from your grasp
From your mouth emits
A little girl scream
From the crowd an audible gasp
With a mighty splash
There it lay motionless
In a puddle deep and muddy
Kneeling down you pick him up
“I tried to save you li’l buddy”
Amid the crowd of somber faces
a barely audible whisper
“Oh come on, give me a break”
It’s just a stink’in device
Take it home, dry it off,
Put it in a bag of rice.
Written by Gahddess_Worship
(Osomajestuoso)
Go To Page
Hero Of The Republic
On the large monitor
he located the target's exact position.
Remotely, he guided the drone
precisely 2000 feet straight over it;
the drone
carrying a one thousand megaton bomb.
He stated his readiness.
Τhe go ahead was given.
Firmly the button he pressed.
On the large monitor
the target and everything around it went up in smoke.
He stated the hit.
Thumps up were given in return.
Next morning
the news' report on the mission, he watched.
Five enemy military leaders were killed.
Also mentioned, five hundred civilian casualties
- babies, children, women, old folk -
and more than double injuries.
- Enemy used shield to protect its leaders -
Later that day
at a ceremony attended by his family
he was awarded the highest honor
-the Hero of the Republic Medal -
bestowed on him by the President himself.
Lunch followed
and a merry time was had by all
marred by his sixteen year old daughter's
questioning and disapproving stare.
A mental note, he made, for a father - daughter talk
as soon as his schedule allowed...
he located the target's exact position.
Remotely, he guided the drone
precisely 2000 feet straight over it;
the drone
carrying a one thousand megaton bomb.
He stated his readiness.
Τhe go ahead was given.
Firmly the button he pressed.
On the large monitor
the target and everything around it went up in smoke.
He stated the hit.
Thumps up were given in return.
Next morning
the news' report on the mission, he watched.
Five enemy military leaders were killed.
Also mentioned, five hundred civilian casualties
- babies, children, women, old folk -
and more than double injuries.
- Enemy used shield to protect its leaders -
Later that day
at a ceremony attended by his family
he was awarded the highest honor
-the Hero of the Republic Medal -
bestowed on him by the President himself.
Lunch followed
and a merry time was had by all
marred by his sixteen year old daughter's
questioning and disapproving stare.
A mental note, he made, for a father - daughter talk
as soon as his schedule allowed...
Written by takis1917
Go To Page
First of all thank you to all 12 DUPers who entered the ‘Technology’ comp. An interesting set of reads all round. Congratulations goes to Gahddess for the top-spot, a neat poem-story of how technology can become so easily a ‘replacement’ human in our lives. Runners-up Blackwolf for his rappy-style technology-word poem, and to Ely with the undertone suggestion of how the vagaries of Nature (which Technology is supposed to overcome) have merely been replaced by the vagaries of technology itself, creating the same security-anxiety as before.
Special mention to Snugglebuck for his sense of humour.
There were four poems which were very interesting and well on topic but were unfortunately way over the 250 word limit so I had to discount them in order to be fair to the others.
Special mention to Snugglebuck for his sense of humour.
There were four poems which were very interesting and well on topic but were unfortunately way over the 250 word limit so I had to discount them in order to be fair to the others.
FINE DINING
(Inspired by the "Your Social Peeve" competition)
Good evening
It’s nice to see you
Will you be dining alone?
Oh forgive me
I didn’t see your device
Table for two then
Our specials for today
An 8 oz filet with spring vegetables and WiFi
And for your electronic friend
A nice OS upgrade
Excellent choice
And for your tablet?
Coming right up
Sorry about the delay
The chef was preoccupied
He just HAD to complete level 5
The way you two look into one another’s displays
mesmerized by love
I can tell you don’t mind the wait
One filet, medium rare
And the latest app
for your companion
Bon Appetit!
Hello, Don Ensimismados
We do take reservations
when would you like to come?
I have a table for four at 8 o'clock
We will see you then
Listen up kitchen!
I’ve got a four top coming at 8
Mr. and Mrs. Jones
and their smartphones
It’s their anniversary
What seems to be the problem?
I am so sorry
I didn’t realize it wasn’t compatible
I’ll send it back to the kitchen
Can I interest you in a charge
While you wait?
Free of charge...of course
Good evening
It’s nice to see you
Will you be dining alone?
Oh forgive me
I didn’t see your device
Table for two then
Our specials for today
An 8 oz filet with spring vegetables and WiFi
And for your electronic friend
A nice OS upgrade
Excellent choice
And for your tablet?
Coming right up
Sorry about the delay
The chef was preoccupied
He just HAD to complete level 5
The way you two look into one another’s displays
mesmerized by love
I can tell you don’t mind the wait
One filet, medium rare
And the latest app
for your companion
Bon Appetit!
Hello, Don Ensimismados
We do take reservations
when would you like to come?
I have a table for four at 8 o'clock
We will see you then
Listen up kitchen!
I’ve got a four top coming at 8
Mr. and Mrs. Jones
and their smartphones
It’s their anniversary
What seems to be the problem?
I am so sorry
I didn’t realize it wasn’t compatible
I’ll send it back to the kitchen
Can I interest you in a charge
While you wait?
Free of charge...of course
Written by Gahddess_Worship
(Osomajestuoso)
Go To Page
Josh, thank you for devising this truly fun comp. This is our new reality that changes on a daily, nay, hourly basis. I appreciate the recognition and I sincerely pfeel that we are all winners because we got to pause from our, sometimes tedious, daily routine and ponder and write. I vascillated between two of my poems. I think you may enjoy this one as well,
Bravo to every participant.
Bravo to every participant.
