Poetry competition CLOSED 1st March 2020 2:06pm
WINNER
Josh (Joshua Bond)
Josh (Joshua Bond)
RUNNERS-UP:
wallyroo92
and PoetsRevenge
Alone In The Woods
Poetry Contest Description
The Classic Corner: Stevie Smith
Co-Hosts - Ahavati & JohnnyBlaze ( the wonderful artist who renders these classic portraits )
Welcome back to the Classic Corner Competitions, Part XXV, in an ongoing series introducing serious writers of DUP to the most famous classical and modern poets of our time.
Born Florence Margaret Smith in Hull, Yorkshire in 1902, Stevie Smith moved with her family to the North London suburbs when three, then lived in the same house the rest of her life. She graduated from the North London Collegiate School and went on to work as a secretary. She published several collections of short prose and letters as well as nearly a dozen volumes of verse. Although the nursery-rhyme-like cadences of her poems and the whimsical drawings with which she illustrated them suggest a child’s innocence, Stevie Smith was a sophisticated poet, whose work was much concerned with suffering and mortality. Her macabre sense of humor can shock, as in her most famous poem, “Not Waving But Drowning.”
Smith was awarded the Cholmondeley Award for Poets in 1966 and the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry in 1969. She died of a brain tumor in 1971.
For more information regarding Smith, please visit the Poetry Foundation: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/stevie-smith
Guidelines
Write a new poem honoring Smith inspired by any one of her poems.
Do NOT copy paste your poem to the competition, it must be linked to your page with the below information.
Do your best to make us feel as though we are reading poems by Smith. 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, ambiguity - a wide range of factors.
The Rules
1. Two entries per DUP persona.
2. No erotica; this is open to all ages and can't be viewed with an ECW ( Extreme Content Warning ).
3. No exact word limit; however, attempt to keep it no more than 250 - 300.
4. Any form is acceptable ( but studying the poet is advised ).
5. Webmiss will be creating #StevieSmith in the theme list. The page will automatically generate as soon as eight entrants hashtag the theme. In the interim, #hashtag #StevieSmith in your notes as well.
6. In your poem's notes, provide links to the poem by Smith that inspired yours. Without this, we have no way of determining if you were truly inspired by Smith, or simply swapped fresh words into her existing poetry and form, which could be considered plagiarism.
Comp will be judged by Ahavati & JohnnyBlaze. As in the past and in the event there is a tie, we will call in third ( and possibly fourth ) judge.
LASTLY**** ALL NON-ELIGIBLE ENTRIES WILL BE REMOVED. This is not a competition to deliberately ignore guidelines so as to advertise your work.
You have one month; best of luck to all entrants!
Anonymous
Related submission no longer exists.
March's CC poll is live and awaiting your vote!
https://deepundergroundpoetry.com/forum/speakeasy/read/11249/#466810
https://deepundergroundpoetry.com/forum/speakeasy/read/11249/#466810
The Old Dog
( After Stevie Smith )
The sun-warmed porch,
its faded wood absorbing heat
under this arthritic skeleton—
once a conqueror of meadows
and dawn hunting parties.
I listen to my mistress
praise cardinals in winter
with a neighbor, again;
O! how pretty in snow!
You know—
it’s a deceased loved one,
visiting us now!
I curl up, unseen,
forgotten in age, think. . .
Ah! to be admired again—
a conquistador of duck
fox, and downed pheasant.
Trekking the bank
behind my Master,
retrieving his claim
of direct aim—splendid shot!
Tonight we’ll celebrate!
Those were the days,
before he died—
then children, all grown
up and moved away,
without so much a goodbye.
Did you know, Mistress crooned
to the visiting neighbor,
Cardinals are faithful!
Never abandoning you
in the cold of winter!
I stretch, yawn invisibly
while awaiting Death—
despite having it made:
eat, sleep, romp, and shit
is all that’s expected of me.
A daily brush, weekly bath
and plenty of treats.
Still, I can’t believe
it’s the best it can be—
not when Death promises
a new form, red with wings.
So I wait, impatiently
for admiration and love
to accompany the change,
especially when I return to visit!
Nope, I wait impatiently
for just how good Life can be.
~
#StevieSmith
The sun-warmed porch,
its faded wood absorbing heat
under this arthritic skeleton—
once a conqueror of meadows
and dawn hunting parties.
I listen to my mistress
praise cardinals in winter
with a neighbor, again;
O! how pretty in snow!
You know—
it’s a deceased loved one,
visiting us now!
I curl up, unseen,
forgotten in age, think. . .
Ah! to be admired again—
a conquistador of duck
fox, and downed pheasant.
Trekking the bank
behind my Master,
retrieving his claim
of direct aim—splendid shot!
Tonight we’ll celebrate!
Those were the days,
before he died—
then children, all grown
up and moved away,
without so much a goodbye.
Did you know, Mistress crooned
to the visiting neighbor,
Cardinals are faithful!
Never abandoning you
in the cold of winter!
I stretch, yawn invisibly
while awaiting Death—
despite having it made:
eat, sleep, romp, and shit
is all that’s expected of me.
A daily brush, weekly bath
and plenty of treats.
Still, I can’t believe
it’s the best it can be—
not when Death promises
a new form, red with wings.
So I wait, impatiently
for admiration and love
to accompany the change,
especially when I return to visit!
Nope, I wait impatiently
for just how good Life can be.
~
#StevieSmith
Written by Ahavati
(Tams)
Go To Page
DANCING QUEEN
The queen, so happy, had fourteen children
seven sons and daughters had she
she looked at them all, said “let’s have a ball
I wonder how best that can be?”
The seven daughters stood in a circle
and round and round and round they danced
the queen thought “fair, but they’re getting nowhere
repeating they cannot advance”.
The seven sons stood straight in a line
they marched up and down, up and down
the queen thought “O.K, but where is the play
the fun of a night on the town?
The queen considered, and placed them in couples
they waltzed one-two-three, one-two-three
the queen thought “that’s better, but strict to the letter
is killing their freedom to be;
though circles and lines and couples are fine
they’re limited what they can do
they must be improved in a new kind of groove
that’s soulful and gleeful and true”.
She said to her children “it’s over to you
just move how you feel more alive …”
so they lindy-hopped, boogied and discoed and rocked,
they street-danced and clog-danced and jived.
#StevieSmith
Inspired by the poem “The Queen and the Young Princess” which can be found here:
https://www.magyarulbabelben.net/works/en/Smith%2C_Stevie-1902/The_Queen_and_the_Young_Princess
Mixed signals
I found my stated point of view
not a floating premise far away
solid in the facts I knew
that horizon ever clear
Did I consider empathy
discontent to rend and be concealed
for the tormented lives of those in need
floundering in trouble's depth
Will they smile and say, I'm OK
clothes left on the beach, neat laid
the final dip, as out they wade
and say goodby in signs denied
Titanic toward the iceberg churned
such merriment, the danger spurned
signs to wave or drown, questions unconfirmed
each signal fits it own background
Stevie Smith's poem - Not waving but drowning
not a floating premise far away
solid in the facts I knew
that horizon ever clear
Did I consider empathy
discontent to rend and be concealed
for the tormented lives of those in need
floundering in trouble's depth
Will they smile and say, I'm OK
clothes left on the beach, neat laid
the final dip, as out they wade
and say goodby in signs denied
Titanic toward the iceberg churned
such merriment, the danger spurned
signs to wave or drown, questions unconfirmed
each signal fits it own background
Stevie Smith's poem - Not waving but drowning
Written by slipalong
Go To Page
Lost God
( after Stevie Smith )
I find my desire to go
Is lesser since I have lost God
Which happened a fortnight ago,
The air raids did not spare the rod.
My will is no longer as strong
Unless he still loves me perhaps,
To ponder about what is wrong
I keep how I feel under wraps.
I learned not to bother or pray
These times make a worry look small,
I am not as proud what to say
And so I say nothing at all.
He knows I cared of what I had
Expecting how I used to try,
I am now sterner stuff and sad,
I do not speak but I still cry.
#StevieSmith
I find my desire to go
Is lesser since I have lost God
Which happened a fortnight ago,
The air raids did not spare the rod.
My will is no longer as strong
Unless he still loves me perhaps,
To ponder about what is wrong
I keep how I feel under wraps.
I learned not to bother or pray
These times make a worry look small,
I am not as proud what to say
And so I say nothing at all.
He knows I cared of what I had
Expecting how I used to try,
I am now sterner stuff and sad,
I do not speak but I still cry.
#StevieSmith
Written by Heaven_sent_Kathy
Go To Page
Christsong
( after Stevie Smith )
I was taught
he is the weightless son
from eternal death.
But then
out from under
brick and mortar dogma,
that says
what they claim
are Christ’s words.
Hear him—
not only on the wing,
but everywhere air is lifted,
for wind of storm is breath,
and rushing water from a stream.
Is this the way—
where he is distant,
all in the mind, remote,
no longer physical?
So he is risen above—
passing through,
watching me
down below
hearing, uplifted?
The Christ I hear is the one
who has his hands open,
showing where a nail
has not pierced his flesh.
Those who know
how others made it up—
that in the air he is not dead
still as he died for us.
And even how, with every
commercial gift shop
figurine of Jesus
(which still sells cheap),
shows on each face
that even the plaster one
wistfully hopes
simply to be heard.
I was taught
he is the weightless son
from eternal death.
But then
out from under
brick and mortar dogma,
that says
what they claim
are Christ’s words.
Hear him—
not only on the wing,
but everywhere air is lifted,
for wind of storm is breath,
and rushing water from a stream.
Is this the way—
where he is distant,
all in the mind, remote,
no longer physical?
So he is risen above—
passing through,
watching me
down below
hearing, uplifted?
The Christ I hear is the one
who has his hands open,
showing where a nail
has not pierced his flesh.
Those who know
how others made it up—
that in the air he is not dead
still as he died for us.
And even how, with every
commercial gift shop
figurine of Jesus
(which still sells cheap),
shows on each face
that even the plaster one
wistfully hopes
simply to be heard.
Written by Jade-Pandora
(jade tiger)
Go To Page
Free Spirit
He only called his mother and father by their names,
His hoarse little voice only added mystery to his story,
His mother would tell tales of how at mass he’d claim
The statue of Jesus was “my papa” praising him in glory.
He was a free spirit, curious about others coming and going,
Wandering the earth as if he was some kind of ancient soul,
And the day before he died he went around collecting coins,
We’ll never know what he dreamt when he was only two years old.
May 1948 - January 1951
#StevieSmith
His hoarse little voice only added mystery to his story,
His mother would tell tales of how at mass he’d claim
The statue of Jesus was “my papa” praising him in glory.
He was a free spirit, curious about others coming and going,
Wandering the earth as if he was some kind of ancient soul,
And the day before he died he went around collecting coins,
We’ll never know what he dreamt when he was only two years old.
May 1948 - January 1951
#StevieSmith
Written by wallyroo92
Go To Page
Not Waving But Drowning (Sandbar)
What would it be if I went about,
pining, whining, given to shout,
would anyone know I was caught in a daze,
gone to a mind spell, lost in a maze?
Would, in a flurry I come rushing out,
a river of mud so careless without
a waving spectacle so bemused.
Who, in a moment could refuse
to look, and look upon with doubt.
'What is she doing out there, has she gone mad?'
With happiness, at least, it can't be that bad.
'But she is on a sandbar and the tide is coming in.
Doesn't she know her future looks grim?
Heaven forbid, I hope she can swim!'
.....
#StevieSmith
pining, whining, given to shout,
would anyone know I was caught in a daze,
gone to a mind spell, lost in a maze?
Would, in a flurry I come rushing out,
a river of mud so careless without
a waving spectacle so bemused.
Who, in a moment could refuse
to look, and look upon with doubt.
'What is she doing out there, has she gone mad?'
With happiness, at least, it can't be that bad.
'But she is on a sandbar and the tide is coming in.
Doesn't she know her future looks grim?
Heaven forbid, I hope she can swim!'
.....
#StevieSmith
Written by PoetsRevenge
Go To Page
Pretty (A Nice Dream)
Are you not pretty, am not I;
we see within ourselves
whether we are dumb or bold,
within our minds we dwell.
If pretty is as pretty does
then fish and fowl are so
pretty they couldn't imagine
what anyone but they know.
A world could not be prettier
if waving goodbye to itself
and drowning in its own mirage
so pretty upon its shelf.
The prettiest mouse still runs away
to not be caught although it may
attract the coyest, smartest of cats
nothing more true is prettier than that.
The later it gets, the prettier still
is darkness which descends:
It rises high, that evening sky
as pretty a dream it befriends.
I rise to catch a falling star,
the prettiest one to fall by far,
as pretty nice a flight as it was to me
I'm pretty sure it was only a dream.
.....
#StevieSmith
we see within ourselves
whether we are dumb or bold,
within our minds we dwell.
If pretty is as pretty does
then fish and fowl are so
pretty they couldn't imagine
what anyone but they know.
A world could not be prettier
if waving goodbye to itself
and drowning in its own mirage
so pretty upon its shelf.
The prettiest mouse still runs away
to not be caught although it may
attract the coyest, smartest of cats
nothing more true is prettier than that.
The later it gets, the prettier still
is darkness which descends:
It rises high, that evening sky
as pretty a dream it befriends.
I rise to catch a falling star,
the prettiest one to fall by far,
as pretty nice a flight as it was to me
I'm pretty sure it was only a dream.
.....
#StevieSmith
Written by PoetsRevenge
Go To Page
Spiritology
( after Stevie Smith )
When I was young, I wondered
why the crucifixion was depicted
behind the altar of a church;
or, worn around the neck—
Jesus agonizingly wrenched, looking up
or down as if in eternal rest
I thought to myself, what is my purpose;
how would I want to be remembered
should I meet a violent end—
not in the agony of the moment:
even in youth, I knew that much—
but, sharing life and love instead
I imagined an energy shift
from a guilt-ridden reminder
of suffering death for our mistakes. . .
to acceptance as we were instead—
an image of Jesus, laughing
with tax collectors and sinners;
thus, absolving any and all debt
one might feel obligated to remit;
afterall, wasn't that His true intent
It's more profitable, I 'spose—
keeping Christ nailed to the cross
until you ask, for whom. . .that is
~
#StevieSmith
When I was young, I wondered
why the crucifixion was depicted
behind the altar of a church;
or, worn around the neck—
Jesus agonizingly wrenched, looking up
or down as if in eternal rest
I thought to myself, what is my purpose;
how would I want to be remembered
should I meet a violent end—
not in the agony of the moment:
even in youth, I knew that much—
but, sharing life and love instead
I imagined an energy shift
from a guilt-ridden reminder
of suffering death for our mistakes. . .
to acceptance as we were instead—
an image of Jesus, laughing
with tax collectors and sinners;
thus, absolving any and all debt
one might feel obligated to remit;
afterall, wasn't that His true intent
It's more profitable, I 'spose—
keeping Christ nailed to the cross
until you ask, for whom. . .that is
~
#StevieSmith
Written by Ahavati
(Tams)
Go To Page
