We Real Cool
Ahavati
Tams
Forum Posts: 16864
Tams
Tyrant of Words
123
Joined 11th Apr 2015Forum Posts: 16864
Poetry Contest Description
CLASSIC CORNER: Gwendolyn Brooks
Co-Hosts - Ahavati & JohnnyBlaze
Welcome back to the Classic Corner Competitions, Part XXXI, in an ongoing series introducing serious writers of DUP to the most famous classical and modern poets of our time.
Gwendolyn Brooks was born in Topeka, Kansas, on June 7, 1917, and raised in Chicago. She was the author of more than twenty books of poetry, including Children Coming Home (The David Co., 1991); Blacks (The David Co., 1987); To Disembark (Third World Press, 1981); The Near-Johannesburg Boy and Other Poems (The David Co., 1986); Riot (Broadside Press, 1969); In the Mecca (Harper & Row, 1968); The Bean Eaters (Harper, 1960); Annie Allen (Harper, 1949), for which she received the Pulitzer Prize; and A Street in Bronzeville (Harper & Brothers, 1945).
She also wrote numerous other books including a novel, Maud Martha (Harper, 1953), and Report from Part One: An Autobiography (Broadside Press, 1972), and edited Jump Bad: A New Chicago Anthology (Broadside Press, 1971).
In 1968 she was named poet laureate for the state of Illinois. In 1985, she was the first black woman appointed as consultant in poetry to the Library of Congress, a post now known as Poet Laureate. She also received an American Academy of Arts and Letters Award, the Frost Medal, a National Endowment for the Arts Award, the Shelley Memorial Award, and fellowships from the Academy of American Poets and the Guggenheim Foundation. She lived in Chicago until her death on December 3, 2000.
https://poets.org/poet/gwendolyn-brooks
Guidelines
Write a new poem honoring Brooks 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 Brooks. 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 extreme 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 ( UNLESS the inspirational poem is longer ).
4. Any form is acceptable ( but studying the poet is advised ). This includes visual and spoken word pieces.
* EDITED * 5. You must select #GwendolynBrooks in your themes. The theme page will automatically generate as soon as eight entrants hashtag the theme. Make sure you hashtag her in your themes or you will be disqualified.
6. In your Author's note, provide a link to the poem by Brooks that inspired yours. Without this, we have no way of determining if you were truly inspired by Brooks, 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.
You have one month; best of luck to all entrants!
Ahavati
Tams
Forum Posts: 16864
Tams
Tyrant of Words
123
Joined 11th Apr 2015Forum Posts: 16864
Greetings, CCC followers. Rule No. 5 has been edited to reflect the creation of #GwendolynBrooks theme by Webmiss ( thank you for all your hard work, Webmiss )! Thusly, all entries must be themed to quality.
Thank you and carry on.
Thank you and carry on.
Ahavati
Tams
Forum Posts: 16864
Tams
Tyrant of Words
123
Joined 11th Apr 2015Forum Posts: 16864
Aspects of Joy in a Strange Land
After Gwendolyn Brooks
There it was—
after twelve hours of ocean
and incandescent clouds:
sewn patchwork of color
beyond the portal
of a plane's window
Momentarily gone
—American melancholy
hovering so far from home
I was six—
a whimper amid adult dialogue;
my teacup tongue, rattling
against saucer lips—
unheard
Gaiety—
my father, statuesque
congratulatory
Footing, steep metal steps
clinking; laughter propelling
across the concourse—
teeth in the wind
Holiday! mustn't end!
Familiar foreigners—
aspects of joy in a strange land
No! stay to. . .together!
—hap. .. hap. . .happiness!
my tongue, rattling—
no one listened;
buses, cars
drove separate directions
We travelled northeast
toward the coast
stopping once at a station—
skipping, lollipop return
joyful . . .
as two children
in a stranger dialogue
whispered,
"Hey! Yankee!
Go home!"
~
There it was—
after twelve hours of ocean
and incandescent clouds:
sewn patchwork of color
beyond the portal
of a plane's window
Momentarily gone
—American melancholy
hovering so far from home
I was six—
a whimper amid adult dialogue;
my teacup tongue, rattling
against saucer lips—
unheard
Gaiety—
my father, statuesque
congratulatory
Footing, steep metal steps
clinking; laughter propelling
across the concourse—
teeth in the wind
Holiday! mustn't end!
Familiar foreigners—
aspects of joy in a strange land
No! stay to. . .together!
—hap. .. hap. . .happiness!
my tongue, rattling—
no one listened;
buses, cars
drove separate directions
We travelled northeast
toward the coast
stopping once at a station—
skipping, lollipop return
joyful . . .
as two children
in a stranger dialogue
whispered,
"Hey! Yankee!
Go home!"
~
Written by Ahavati
(Tams)
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Non-entry entry
Anonymous
Related submission no longer exists.
Poems4me
Joined 22nd July 2020
Forum Posts: 69
Thought Provoker
Forum Posts: 69
We Real Cool
Wind catching our hair as we walk down the street
Bodies covered, curves showing, hips moving to their own beat
We real cool
No makeup no weaves bask in our natural beauty
Not even tempted when guys call us cutie
We real cool
Not looking for that next screw
Take care of our bodies like it's a jewel
Don't blend in with crowds
Brownskin sisters rocking their crowns
We real cool
Bodies covered, curves showing, hips moving to their own beat
We real cool
No makeup no weaves bask in our natural beauty
Not even tempted when guys call us cutie
We real cool
Not looking for that next screw
Take care of our bodies like it's a jewel
Don't blend in with crowds
Brownskin sisters rocking their crowns
We real cool
Written by Poems4me
Go To Page
anvinvil
Anvillan
Forum Posts: 90
Anvillan
Fire of Insight
2
Joined 16th Feb 2020Forum Posts: 90
The Bean Eaters...Gwendolyn Brooks
Caught in the sameness, a maize in the fog
they move slowly through, feeling their way
only to meet themselves around each corner.
The journey is cruel, snags in the path, faith in each other
their only support in the patchwork of life.
But time is relentless....Fears and tears, joy and sorrow,
It shows us the past but laughs at the future.
Suddenly the fog clears, who are these old people partaking alone in
the sadness, surrounded by the remnants of a lifetime of struggle..
They survived the maize only to meet themselves again in twilights
dark corner of a place called nowhere,
they move slowly through, feeling their way
only to meet themselves around each corner.
The journey is cruel, snags in the path, faith in each other
their only support in the patchwork of life.
But time is relentless....Fears and tears, joy and sorrow,
It shows us the past but laughs at the future.
Suddenly the fog clears, who are these old people partaking alone in
the sadness, surrounded by the remnants of a lifetime of struggle..
They survived the maize only to meet themselves again in twilights
dark corner of a place called nowhere,
Written by anvinvil
(Anvillan)
Go To Page
anvinvil
Anvillan
Forum Posts: 90
Anvillan
Fire of Insight
2
Joined 16th Feb 2020Forum Posts: 90
A Sunset of the City... Gwendolyn Brooks
Time has done its job, my aura and attraction
have faded with the setting of the sun.
Abandoned by that which made life real,
I sit alone in the stillness where once beautiful
chaos reigned.
I feel the isolation, the threats of uncertainty and
the unknown.
They rip and tear at my heart, memories bleed
into a vessel, never to be reclaimed, yet held.
I wander now, like a ghost from the past
with all the memories but none of the trappings.
The battle field is still and barren, where once
there was life, however fleeting...
Was my home my purpose? Did it define me or just
accent my existence. Now it’s gone but I’m still here.
I shout, I’m me! Not even my echo answers.
I go through the motions of a being without
being. My thoughts no longer match the world I knew.
Time hums it sad refrain,” I told you so... “.
have faded with the setting of the sun.
Abandoned by that which made life real,
I sit alone in the stillness where once beautiful
chaos reigned.
I feel the isolation, the threats of uncertainty and
the unknown.
They rip and tear at my heart, memories bleed
into a vessel, never to be reclaimed, yet held.
I wander now, like a ghost from the past
with all the memories but none of the trappings.
The battle field is still and barren, where once
there was life, however fleeting...
Was my home my purpose? Did it define me or just
accent my existence. Now it’s gone but I’m still here.
I shout, I’m me! Not even my echo answers.
I go through the motions of a being without
being. My thoughts no longer match the world I knew.
Time hums it sad refrain,” I told you so... “.
Written by anvinvil
(Anvillan)
Go To Page
javalini
Forum Posts: 214
Dangerous Mind
17
Joined 4th Apr 2019Forum Posts: 214
BB GUN
set out pots to catch the leaks
money's gone until next week
baby's room is hot as hell
fill the sink to get him chill
beans and cornbread
powdered moo
Peanut butter
Kool-aid, too
poor weren't never all that bad
hand-me-downs just make me sad
ricky's big ol' jeans ain't cool
fight them bullies after school
mom, i want a BB gun
shoot their butts and make 'em run
money's gone until next week
baby's room is hot as hell
fill the sink to get him chill
beans and cornbread
powdered moo
Peanut butter
Kool-aid, too
poor weren't never all that bad
hand-me-downs just make me sad
ricky's big ol' jeans ain't cool
fight them bullies after school
mom, i want a BB gun
shoot their butts and make 'em run
Written by javalini
Go To Page
slipalong
Forum Posts: 855
Dangerous Mind
43
Joined 1st Jan 2018Forum Posts: 855
A barren hive
The sad that contaminates all my space
and love be but an unborn child
beckoned smile that fell upon stony place
desert where no bee survives
My pollen never gathered thus
for natures way, the seed and till
the worker breach upon my cusp
some attraction just incomprehensible
Perhaps I am, just the tumble weed
gregarious in sole lament
blown between the flower heads
minus never plus is my content
Never partake of that swarm
the broken amulet of charm
not to feel a body close and warm
for loneliness can most disarm
Wax octagons devoid of sweet
for wars attrition's soon depletes
reference poem ( the sonnet ballad)
and love be but an unborn child
beckoned smile that fell upon stony place
desert where no bee survives
My pollen never gathered thus
for natures way, the seed and till
the worker breach upon my cusp
some attraction just incomprehensible
Perhaps I am, just the tumble weed
gregarious in sole lament
blown between the flower heads
minus never plus is my content
Never partake of that swarm
the broken amulet of charm
not to feel a body close and warm
for loneliness can most disarm
Wax octagons devoid of sweet
for wars attrition's soon depletes
reference poem ( the sonnet ballad)
Written by slipalong
Go To Page
nomoth
Forum Posts: 481
Fire of Insight
12
Joined 24th Mar 2019 Forum Posts: 481
Related submission no longer exists.
Ahavati
Tams
Forum Posts: 16864
Tams
Tyrant of Words
123
Joined 11th Apr 2015Forum Posts: 16864
Hi, CC supporters and potential entrants. Just wanted to clarify two things: firstly, the following two rules have been edited per some private queries; and, secondly, we thank you for letting us know and have revised accordingly to clarify:
3. No exact word limit; however, attempt to keep it no more than 250 - 300 ( UNLESS the inspirational poem is longer ).
4. Any form is acceptable ( but studying the poet is advised ). This includes visual and spoken word pieces.
As always, thank you for supporting the CC competitions. Let us know if you need anything else.
3. No exact word limit; however, attempt to keep it no more than 250 - 300 ( UNLESS the inspirational poem is longer ).
4. Any form is acceptable ( but studying the poet is advised ). This includes visual and spoken word pieces.
As always, thank you for supporting the CC competitions. Let us know if you need anything else.
nomoth
Forum Posts: 481
Fire of Insight
12
Joined 24th Mar 2019 Forum Posts: 481
Eerie
Forum Posts: 891
Dangerous Mind
14
Joined 29th July 2018Forum Posts: 891
Related submission no longer exists.
Ahavati
Tams
Forum Posts: 16864
Tams
Tyrant of Words
123
Joined 11th Apr 2015Forum Posts: 16864
Final Call! T-Minus Five Days! Please double check your entries for spelling and grammar errors, sometimes it comes down to one error separating you from first place. Also make sure your inspirational poem is listed in your author's note per the guidelines.
Thank you to all entrants, and best of luck in the judging.
Thank you to all entrants, and best of luck in the judging.
wallyroo92
Forum Posts: 1867
Tyrant of Words
154
Joined 11th July 2012Forum Posts: 1867
To the Mothers
As apparent
As a parent
I cannot imagine the pain
Or the agony and despair a woman feels
I cannot think of the torment
A mother experiences
When her child is suddenly taken away
This is for those who have loved
From conception to birth
From early years into adolescence
Shaping and molding a young mind
A mother makes so many sacrifices
Raising her children
All the while society can be cruel
The world may portray an adult
As something else
But through the eyes of a mother -
A mother sees her child through memories
As a newborn
cooing in her arms
As a toddler
holding out their arms
Remembering
sleepless nights when the temperature was too high
laughter and giggles
kisses and embraces
eyes that lift-up the spirit
smiles that still warms the heart
But their senseless deaths rip the soul apart
This is for those mothers
Who have had their loves taken away
Who bear a pain no other mother should suffer
Who raise their voices and cry out, NO MORE!
As a parent
I cannot imagine the pain
Or the agony and despair a woman feels
I cannot think of the torment
A mother experiences
When her child is suddenly taken away
This is for those who have loved
From conception to birth
From early years into adolescence
Shaping and molding a young mind
A mother makes so many sacrifices
Raising her children
All the while society can be cruel
The world may portray an adult
As something else
But through the eyes of a mother -
A mother sees her child through memories
As a newborn
cooing in her arms
As a toddler
holding out their arms
Remembering
sleepless nights when the temperature was too high
laughter and giggles
kisses and embraces
eyes that lift-up the spirit
smiles that still warms the heart
But their senseless deaths rip the soul apart
This is for those mothers
Who have had their loves taken away
Who bear a pain no other mother should suffer
Who raise their voices and cry out, NO MORE!
Written by wallyroo92
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