Poetry competition CLOSED 5th October 2012 10:15pm
WINNER
Cinny
Cinny
RUNNER-UP:
stormz_of_fire
Elements and Emotions
Poetry Contest Description
Write a poem depicting anything that relates the elements (i.e. earth, water, fire, air, metal) to some type of emotion.
Here are some basic rules:
Must have a title.
No more than two submissions from a single poet.
Must relate to competition.
No limits on the line number.
No prohibitions on color
, so go ahead.
Must have a title.
No more than two submissions from a single poet.
Must relate to competition.
No limits on the line number.
No prohibitions on color
, so go ahead.
In the following legend, Ignis symbolizes the ferocity of fire combined with the stubborn strength of earth. Whilst Aquarius symbolizes the gentleness of water combined with the grace of air. Both are opposing rulers of their respective elements, and each has opposite fellings and emotions. Their rivalry and final battle are chronicled in the tale of: "Ignis and Caleo"
>>- Ignis and Caleo -<<
A Legend of Old Kobol
Some there are, who believe that life began in the stars,
On a world torn by factions of gods who waged wars…
Let me tell you, of one such conflict that was so waged.
When elemental warriors clashed, and intrigues staged!
There once was a warrior, a queen who reigned: of old,
Her wrath knew no bounds, her anger called holy fire…
None could stand before her, for she was passing bold.
And in darkness, she walked, to sate her every desire…
Fire from heaven obeyed her whims and she used them,
To call it upon her enemies until they fought never more!
Soon the gods decided, her soul they had to condemn…
And a punishment fell hard upon the great scarlet whore.
Her name was Ignis and many a soul she stole most fast,
Selling her own unto darkness, to increase all her fame…
Terrible obligations she swore for power that would last.
But only until the gods grew weary of her prideful flame!
She vowed to burn down the heavens and lay all waste,
To force the very gods themselves to bow to her glory…
And only her sister, Caleo, stood against her evil caste.
Though much younger than the queen, the sister’s story,
Was one of peace and contemplative moments, praying.
Fearing for creation, Caleo vowed to act in a rebellion…
To stop her sister, from going forth for madness, slaying!
She sought out the gods, for she feared that mad hellion.
The gods sent forth the Angel of Death to Caleo’s side,
And she brought the angel to mad Ignis’ tallest pyramid.
Death clad itself in a cloak of ebon shadow to disguise…
And walk as a mortal to where the queen even now hid.
Death took the form, of a dusky maid with scent of lilies,
For her perfume, and thus she made her cold way within.
The queen made no secret of her wish to slay divinities…
And so was come Death, to stop every blasphemous sin.
The dark maiden watched Ignis’ deeds as a kind advisor,
Whilst Caleo kept the maid’s secret from all who asked.
Death became the best friend of the great scarlet warrior,
Waiting for when that queen might be judged and tasked.
The royal princess Cornelia had not her mother’s hatred,
Being a child of goodness, and possessing a kindly heart.
Caleo feared for the girl more and more as she waited…
Praying that Death would not tear the child’s spirit apart!
But the angel was not cruel and remained true to the will,
That brought her hither to punish but one soul, not many.
When the time came, the blood of the queen was to spill,
But safe would be the princess, in Caleo’s fair company.
A kingdom of the Jinn, was the next Ignis would attack,
Ignoring their pacts with holy prophets, anointed kings…
Their hearts ablaze with passion, but never evil or black!
But the mad queen cared nothing for the gentler things…
And so was war between the two kingdoms kindled hot,
Though the Jinn would never fall without wreaking havoc.
Their queen was the most beautiful girl in human thought;
Her name was Aquarius, who in a divine grace did walk.
The disguised Death came to her to warn her of her end,
Yet the child queen vowed to defend her lands, valiantly.
And so Death returned unto Ignis before she could rend,
The life from one who was both virtuous and also saintly.
But the scarlet queen would heed no more wise advice…
Calling to the heavens to send fire down unto all her foe!
But the gods would not allow it, and it rained bits of ice,
Which lasted for several hours and caused not any woe.
But Ignis was crafty, and rode forth with all her armies…
To put to the torch the capital city where Aquarius lived.
Death, Caleo, and Cornelia, to stop any new tragedies,
Pursued the warrior queen, no quarter or mercy to give.
There was no city for the queen to raid; it never existed,
She found instead a long-abandoned ruin filled with ash.
Charred bodies already lay in that rubble as she sifted…
No treasure was to be taken, no golden crown to stash.
The Jinn had used their powers to send her to a future…
Where Ignis’ own kingdom lay all destroyed, and gone.
Now smoke went up from it, and stirred not a creature!
The queen’s war was over and the Jinn had thusly won.
By the time the three pursuers arrived Ignis did so weep,
Having found her own corpse in her pyramid’s remains.
They too were taken to that future time and did creep…
Amidst the ruins, until to the repenting queen they came.
Knowing now the cost of pride, Ignis felt a full remorse,
Not allowing Cornelia to comfort her: nor sister Caleo.
Only Death could dry her tears, even if by deadly force,
She longed to put an end to all that she did remember…
A life wasted on the suffering of others, and sick vanity!
Death would not take her, out of pity for her penitence.
On returning to the past, Ignis was cured of her insanity,
Her reign was wise and kind, and known for tolerance.
To the gods the Angel of Death returned, her job done,
And Caleo loved her sister with the warmth of the sun!
Cornelia and Aquarius became the very best of friends,
As to all her former enemies, Ignis made great amends.
>>- Ignis and Caleo -<<
A Legend of Old Kobol
Some there are, who believe that life began in the stars,
On a world torn by factions of gods who waged wars…
Let me tell you, of one such conflict that was so waged.
When elemental warriors clashed, and intrigues staged!
There once was a warrior, a queen who reigned: of old,
Her wrath knew no bounds, her anger called holy fire…
None could stand before her, for she was passing bold.
And in darkness, she walked, to sate her every desire…
Fire from heaven obeyed her whims and she used them,
To call it upon her enemies until they fought never more!
Soon the gods decided, her soul they had to condemn…
And a punishment fell hard upon the great scarlet whore.
Her name was Ignis and many a soul she stole most fast,
Selling her own unto darkness, to increase all her fame…
Terrible obligations she swore for power that would last.
But only until the gods grew weary of her prideful flame!
She vowed to burn down the heavens and lay all waste,
To force the very gods themselves to bow to her glory…
And only her sister, Caleo, stood against her evil caste.
Though much younger than the queen, the sister’s story,
Was one of peace and contemplative moments, praying.
Fearing for creation, Caleo vowed to act in a rebellion…
To stop her sister, from going forth for madness, slaying!
She sought out the gods, for she feared that mad hellion.
The gods sent forth the Angel of Death to Caleo’s side,
And she brought the angel to mad Ignis’ tallest pyramid.
Death clad itself in a cloak of ebon shadow to disguise…
And walk as a mortal to where the queen even now hid.
Death took the form, of a dusky maid with scent of lilies,
For her perfume, and thus she made her cold way within.
The queen made no secret of her wish to slay divinities…
And so was come Death, to stop every blasphemous sin.
The dark maiden watched Ignis’ deeds as a kind advisor,
Whilst Caleo kept the maid’s secret from all who asked.
Death became the best friend of the great scarlet warrior,
Waiting for when that queen might be judged and tasked.
The royal princess Cornelia had not her mother’s hatred,
Being a child of goodness, and possessing a kindly heart.
Caleo feared for the girl more and more as she waited…
Praying that Death would not tear the child’s spirit apart!
But the angel was not cruel and remained true to the will,
That brought her hither to punish but one soul, not many.
When the time came, the blood of the queen was to spill,
But safe would be the princess, in Caleo’s fair company.
A kingdom of the Jinn, was the next Ignis would attack,
Ignoring their pacts with holy prophets, anointed kings…
Their hearts ablaze with passion, but never evil or black!
But the mad queen cared nothing for the gentler things…
And so was war between the two kingdoms kindled hot,
Though the Jinn would never fall without wreaking havoc.
Their queen was the most beautiful girl in human thought;
Her name was Aquarius, who in a divine grace did walk.
The disguised Death came to her to warn her of her end,
Yet the child queen vowed to defend her lands, valiantly.
And so Death returned unto Ignis before she could rend,
The life from one who was both virtuous and also saintly.
But the scarlet queen would heed no more wise advice…
Calling to the heavens to send fire down unto all her foe!
But the gods would not allow it, and it rained bits of ice,
Which lasted for several hours and caused not any woe.
But Ignis was crafty, and rode forth with all her armies…
To put to the torch the capital city where Aquarius lived.
Death, Caleo, and Cornelia, to stop any new tragedies,
Pursued the warrior queen, no quarter or mercy to give.
There was no city for the queen to raid; it never existed,
She found instead a long-abandoned ruin filled with ash.
Charred bodies already lay in that rubble as she sifted…
No treasure was to be taken, no golden crown to stash.
The Jinn had used their powers to send her to a future…
Where Ignis’ own kingdom lay all destroyed, and gone.
Now smoke went up from it, and stirred not a creature!
The queen’s war was over and the Jinn had thusly won.
By the time the three pursuers arrived Ignis did so weep,
Having found her own corpse in her pyramid’s remains.
They too were taken to that future time and did creep…
Amidst the ruins, until to the repenting queen they came.
Knowing now the cost of pride, Ignis felt a full remorse,
Not allowing Cornelia to comfort her: nor sister Caleo.
Only Death could dry her tears, even if by deadly force,
She longed to put an end to all that she did remember…
A life wasted on the suffering of others, and sick vanity!
Death would not take her, out of pity for her penitence.
On returning to the past, Ignis was cured of her insanity,
Her reign was wise and kind, and known for tolerance.
To the gods the Angel of Death returned, her job done,
And Caleo loved her sister with the warmth of the sun!
Cornelia and Aquarius became the very best of friends,
As to all her former enemies, Ignis made great amends.
For my second entry, here is a poem I wrote one New Year's Eve past... in which I equated each of the four basic elements with a specific theme and emotional state that had a message about life, love, the world, humanity, and everything in between. I called it: "An Elemental New Year". I hope everyone enjoys it!
- An Elemental New Year -
Part One: Fire
As the New Year cometh swift, on wings of light,
I greet the first day, and I welcome the first night.
How oft I wonder, what the New Year would be...
If time were timeless, if we all knew immortality.
Instead of losses that grow with time's passing,
We may all experience only delights, everlasting.
Perhaps in Heaven, the spirits there know of this,
For they now know only the joys of celestial bliss.
Only one worldly joy would I desire above all else,
The riches of love, for that is the only true wealth.
Men fight over land, over money, and over fame...
Whilst all I hunger for, is to bathe in love's flame.
Part Two: Earth
In the east the dragons dance, as fireworks play,
Every nation hath its' custom, for New Year's Day.
No man is a nation unto himself, it is so oft said...
Yet how lonely is life, so many still live as if dead!
To touch a single heart is a miracle Heaven-sent,
So many hearts are in pieces, their joys all spent.
Why cannot human beings be as angels in soul...
Knowing only happiness, wanting not to control?
A new year should be a time for miracles to come,
And the sorrows of the past to at last be undone.
We have so much power, yet do we know a way,
To use that power for good, and to not go astray?
Part Three: Air
So many texts we fill with knowledge and wisdom,
Yet what of love, truest wealth of God's kingdom?
Compassion for one another, and a hand to hold,
How many lack this, lonely whilst they grow old...
So much time is wasted waiting for joys to arrive;
Because so much joy is missing from all our lives!
Praise the bringers of joy, for they are so blessed,
They brave the greatest dangers, forever tested!
We waste our praise so often on shallow things...
Making paupers of those who are our true kings.
So many saviors have we hung thus upon trees,
Forgetting their wisdom, like words in the breeze.
Part Four: Water
For the New Year, let us remember what peace is,
It can be as simple, as giving a loved one a kiss...
Or reaching out to someone we never knew prior,
Words can be as water, soothing even raging fire.
Why use words to wound when words can heal...
Why ignore our senses when it is so easy to feel?
Let us live in the moment, and let it last forever...
Let us embark upon peace as our great endeavor!
Peace is what results when love is allowed to be,
A flower blooming in every heart, with true dignity.
The scent of which is pleasing unto the very spirit,
Welcoming all who would happily venture near it.
- An Elemental New Year -
Part One: Fire
As the New Year cometh swift, on wings of light,
I greet the first day, and I welcome the first night.
How oft I wonder, what the New Year would be...
If time were timeless, if we all knew immortality.
Instead of losses that grow with time's passing,
We may all experience only delights, everlasting.
Perhaps in Heaven, the spirits there know of this,
For they now know only the joys of celestial bliss.
Only one worldly joy would I desire above all else,
The riches of love, for that is the only true wealth.
Men fight over land, over money, and over fame...
Whilst all I hunger for, is to bathe in love's flame.
Part Two: Earth
In the east the dragons dance, as fireworks play,
Every nation hath its' custom, for New Year's Day.
No man is a nation unto himself, it is so oft said...
Yet how lonely is life, so many still live as if dead!
To touch a single heart is a miracle Heaven-sent,
So many hearts are in pieces, their joys all spent.
Why cannot human beings be as angels in soul...
Knowing only happiness, wanting not to control?
A new year should be a time for miracles to come,
And the sorrows of the past to at last be undone.
We have so much power, yet do we know a way,
To use that power for good, and to not go astray?
Part Three: Air
So many texts we fill with knowledge and wisdom,
Yet what of love, truest wealth of God's kingdom?
Compassion for one another, and a hand to hold,
How many lack this, lonely whilst they grow old...
So much time is wasted waiting for joys to arrive;
Because so much joy is missing from all our lives!
Praise the bringers of joy, for they are so blessed,
They brave the greatest dangers, forever tested!
We waste our praise so often on shallow things...
Making paupers of those who are our true kings.
So many saviors have we hung thus upon trees,
Forgetting their wisdom, like words in the breeze.
Part Four: Water
For the New Year, let us remember what peace is,
It can be as simple, as giving a loved one a kiss...
Or reaching out to someone we never knew prior,
Words can be as water, soothing even raging fire.
Why use words to wound when words can heal...
Why ignore our senses when it is so easy to feel?
Let us live in the moment, and let it last forever...
Let us embark upon peace as our great endeavor!
Peace is what results when love is allowed to be,
A flower blooming in every heart, with true dignity.
The scent of which is pleasing unto the very spirit,
Welcoming all who would happily venture near it.
Windtalker…
I whisper my words to the wind,
carried on the breeze contained therein.
Words, words and more words, I do say
to no one in particular, the same every day.
Sometimes the wind capriciously blows them back,
as if angry at me blustering with fury it’s attack.
Other times it wafts gently past
carrying the words I have amassed.
Who will hear them, who can say?
It does not matter after its carried away.
What is said is said, there is no one to listen
to my oration of words in singular unison.
I talk to the wind but it does not reciprocate,
it just howls and gusts at what I alliterate.
There is no one to listen, no one to hear
or to care about what I hold dear.
I talk to the wind, listening, hoping to perceive sounds
carried to my ears as it drifts and floats around.
Gypsy red
The wind
The wind blew me away
It blew blusters
taking my breath
As if to say I'll take you
Take you to your death
The wind blew me and
threw me, tussling and taking
my breath
As if to say I'll take you
Take you to your death
Wind of sea and land
Of this I understand
The wind that
blew and blew
Is the winter I once knew
The wind blew me away
It blew blusters
taking my breath
As if to say I'll take you
Take you to your death
The wind blew me away
It blew blusters
taking my breath
As if to say I'll take you
Take you to your death
The wind blew me and
threw me, tussling and taking
my breath
As if to say I'll take you
Take you to your death
Wind of sea and land
Of this I understand
The wind that
blew and blew
Is the winter I once knew
The wind blew me away
It blew blusters
taking my breath
As if to say I'll take you
Take you to your death
Fire and Blood - Yiddish
The pogroms have begun
די פּאַגראַמז האָבן אנגעהויבן
Fire and blood is everywhere
פֿייַער און בלוט איז אומעטום
Knives and bullets rip inside, slaughtering women and children
קניוועס און בולאַץ רייַסן ין סלאָטערינג ווייבער און קינדער
Stars are shining bright but not for the afflicted
שטערן זענען שיינינג העל אָבער ניט פֿאַר די אַפליקטיד
The mourning has already begun
דער טרויער האט שוין אנגעהויבן
Souls of the tortured searching for God's light
נשמות פון די טאָרטשערד שאַרף פֿאַר גאָט ס ליכט
The pogroms have begun
די פּאַגראַמז האָבן אנגעהויבן
Fire and blood is everywhere
פֿייַער און בלוט איז אומעטום
Knives and bullets rip inside, slaughtering women and children
קניוועס און בולאַץ רייַסן ין סלאָטערינג ווייבער און קינדער
Stars are shining bright but not for the afflicted
שטערן זענען שיינינג העל אָבער ניט פֿאַר די אַפליקטיד
The mourning has already begun
דער טרויער האט שוין אנגעהויבן
Souls of the tortured searching for God's light
נשמות פון די טאָרטשערד שאַרף פֿאַר גאָט ס ליכט
Anonymous
Solo .
The hail beats the tin roof of this old house
like a previous century stoning
the ice crashing on the corrugated steel
is reminiscent of a
Rick Allen solo.
The idiot in me keeps looking up
as if the steel pressed ceiling is taking the beating.
The angle these golf ball icicles are coming at
concerns the large glass window panes
they look like they’ll shake themselves
into cracks of disaster across
the wooden floor boards.
I fold myself into a ball
on the leather couch
covered in last nights jacket
and comforted by my latest Amazon acquisition
“Mockingbird Wish Me Luck”.
I suffer the noise to read magnificence
then realise
this house echoes without you.
It’s been far to long, I need you
just to sit here and say nothing
just to be here and touch
just to make this book worth reading
I find the poem
the poem wanted to read, the one
“Girl in a miniskirt reading the bible”
that poem.
As I edge into the page
I realise I don’t remember what earrings you wear,
how many gold bangles rest on your arm
or how long your legs are.
I realise
that you don’t move to my symphony
move to my rhythm
and I don’t play it for you
I don't play it for you, any longer.
You were once god.
-x-
Earths Emotions
As I sit here
feeling overgrown
I can hear
sleeping thoughts unfold
and blowing near
is all fear
as gravity fights to keep hold
the tears of the wind
can be felt through it's groan
all the souls that have sinned
can be heard howling alone .
Picking up force
proving it's around
showing no remorse
through full strength
and ghostly sound
an element in course
a planet spinning around
a lunar full of flaws
trying not to be pulled down .
Each day we fight the seconds
with each tick
the end does beckon
our lives flick
like pages unsettled
death does kick
our boiling life kettles
as we battle on with it .
As I sit here
feeling overgrown
I can hear
sleeping thoughts unfold
and blowing near
is all fear
as gravity fights to keep hold
the tears of the wind
can be felt through it's groan
all the souls that have sinned
can be heard howling alone .
Picking up force
proving it's around
showing no remorse
through full strength
and ghostly sound
an element in course
a planet spinning around
a lunar full of flaws
trying not to be pulled down .
Each day we fight the seconds
with each tick
the end does beckon
our lives flick
like pages unsettled
death does kick
our boiling life kettles
as we battle on with it .
Burn:
Let my rage consume you
and melt your flesh.
Let it's heat embrace
your cold and barren heart,
destroying your bones.
Allow my hatred to devour
the cruelty that you feed upon,
leaving all you see and all you are
as mere ash.
The flames will rise high,
smoke will bellow from your lips,
steam will pour out of your ears.
Crimson red with spots of orange
or highlighter yellow
will illuminate your flaws
and the scars of your sins.
And after my flame of hatred
and rage has consumed you,
may it devour my body
as well.
Let my rage consume you
and melt your flesh.
Let it's heat embrace
your cold and barren heart,
destroying your bones.
Allow my hatred to devour
the cruelty that you feed upon,
leaving all you see and all you are
as mere ash.
The flames will rise high,
smoke will bellow from your lips,
steam will pour out of your ears.
Crimson red with spots of orange
or highlighter yellow
will illuminate your flaws
and the scars of your sins.
And after my flame of hatred
and rage has consumed you,
may it devour my body
as well.
Creature of beauty ------
Her eyes were like water, cool blue and see through and something you could drown in,
Her hair was like fire, a blend of bright orange and deep red burned brightly on her head,
Her lips were like air they'd give you the chills but also heat up your soul,
Her mind was like earth, even though her roots were dead each year she tried to grow,
Her will was like metal, cold and hard but unbreakable.
She was the most beautiful thing i had ever met.
Her eyes were like water, cool blue and see through and something you could drown in,
Her hair was like fire, a blend of bright orange and deep red burned brightly on her head,
Her lips were like air they'd give you the chills but also heat up your soul,
Her mind was like earth, even though her roots were dead each year she tried to grow,
Her will was like metal, cold and hard but unbreakable.
She was the most beautiful thing i had ever met.
Anonymous
Earthly Reality
Her feelings run
freely and effortlessly
like a waterfall so pure
a constant flow
of bare emotion
She exhales
to cleanse her soul
but chokes
when she breathes back in
the air is stale
one sided Communication hurts her
The grass
couldn't have been greener
on the ground
she once walked
but her earth
has been shaken
and now she stumbles
over the cracks and loos gravel
Stability she has no longer
The pain is building
and now its clear
the fire in her eyes
is fierce and yet
she weeps silently
and the flames
that once burned
have now been
put out with her tears
Her feelings run
freely and effortlessly
like a waterfall so pure
a constant flow
of bare emotion
She exhales
to cleanse her soul
but chokes
when she breathes back in
the air is stale
one sided Communication hurts her
The grass
couldn't have been greener
on the ground
she once walked
but her earth
has been shaken
and now she stumbles
over the cracks and loos gravel
Stability she has no longer
The pain is building
and now its clear
the fire in her eyes
is fierce and yet
she weeps silently
and the flames
that once burned
have now been
put out with her tears
Anonymous
I am of the Earth
Chasing butterflies
As the water cries
Of the flickering flames
Ethereal empress
Melted metal
Given gold
The archer, the arrow, the bow
I am of the skies
I am above
I am below
She cauldrons my birth
I am of the Earth
Mourganna¤
Anonymous
Title can be....... Earthen Child....M¤
