Poetry competition CLOSED 10th November 2016 4:54pm
WINNER
Abracadabra
Abracadabra
RUNNERS-UP:
Fallen_Angel_194
and diamonddave75
John Lennon Birthday Celebration
Poetry Contest Description
John Lennon was born on 9 October 1940 and died tragically at age 40.
In celebration of his birthday month.
Write a poem in of any form or type
that you feel you are drawn to.
Please don't enter more than 2 pieces.
There is freedom with regards everything else.
Give peace a chance and celebrate the month of October in which he would have been 76 years old.
Lets make this awesome!
Write a poem in of any form or type
that you feel you are drawn to.
Please don't enter more than 2 pieces.
There is freedom with regards everything else.
Give peace a chance and celebrate the month of October in which he would have been 76 years old.
Lets make this awesome!
Art-101
I sat with Lisa and
Chester, the red-head, possibly
because our last names agreed
alphabetically. I don’t remember
their last names, but
Lisa had psoriasis, which now
I think was Sjogren’s, and
Chester only cared about his
next joint.
Mr. Reeves played his radio, while
we drew the dumb pictures
he assigned us, probably to
distract from how he kept
at Chester. We dared
not say “Gay pedophile” when
he called him
“Chester the Molester”; one could
still get away with bullying students
during the Ferris Bueller days, and
nobody cared.
So Lisa and I talked on
about how we had the same
name, and
which hand cream would be
best for her psoriasis. Chester
didn’t share our surprise when
the radio announcer said
that John Lennon had died. Shot
on the street, it was uncommon
then.
I asked to go to the girls’ bathroom, but
instead, used the rotary dial
pay phone in the hall, to call
my Mom. I had to tell someone
about John. I had to
call Mom.
And now, Mr. Reeves has been
gone, too, some ten
years less than John,
of a young person
heart attack. I lost
track of Lisa
and Chester, but
our thirteen year old ghosts
still walk the halls, and
I saw the old art room for
a moment, through
the flames; the place
where life changed for
a day.
It’s all gone, now—
Perhaps,
one of our drawings left
in a closet somewhere, curled
up in ashes, as only brick and
stone were left.
But isn’t that what life is about—
change and loss, and
we can paint a new picture,
right?
http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/breakingnews/ci_30403887
I sat with Lisa and
Chester, the red-head, possibly
because our last names agreed
alphabetically. I don’t remember
their last names, but
Lisa had psoriasis, which now
I think was Sjogren’s, and
Chester only cared about his
next joint.
Mr. Reeves played his radio, while
we drew the dumb pictures
he assigned us, probably to
distract from how he kept
at Chester. We dared
not say “Gay pedophile” when
he called him
“Chester the Molester”; one could
still get away with bullying students
during the Ferris Bueller days, and
nobody cared.
So Lisa and I talked on
about how we had the same
name, and
which hand cream would be
best for her psoriasis. Chester
didn’t share our surprise when
the radio announcer said
that John Lennon had died. Shot
on the street, it was uncommon
then.
I asked to go to the girls’ bathroom, but
instead, used the rotary dial
pay phone in the hall, to call
my Mom. I had to tell someone
about John. I had to
call Mom.
And now, Mr. Reeves has been
gone, too, some ten
years less than John,
of a young person
heart attack. I lost
track of Lisa
and Chester, but
our thirteen year old ghosts
still walk the halls, and
I saw the old art room for
a moment, through
the flames; the place
where life changed for
a day.
It’s all gone, now—
Perhaps,
one of our drawings left
in a closet somewhere, curled
up in ashes, as only brick and
stone were left.
But isn’t that what life is about—
change and loss, and
we can paint a new picture,
right?
http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/breakingnews/ci_30403887
Oh my word!
What an epic send off from the lovely ma'am Lavender !
I needed to borrow google for some of the references there, fantastic when that happens... Education!
The school that burnt down, I saw the article was from September this year, was that really the school you attended? Or was that poetic timing? Got to admit I loved how the piece was more about the time and things that happened associated than the man himself... Stellar start ma'am, Thank you so much
I've got a good feeling about this competition and all the possibilities it can go in now!
Blue Skies @ you
Al-x-
What an epic send off from the lovely ma'am Lavender !
I needed to borrow google for some of the references there, fantastic when that happens... Education!
The school that burnt down, I saw the article was from September this year, was that really the school you attended? Or was that poetic timing? Got to admit I loved how the piece was more about the time and things that happened associated than the man himself... Stellar start ma'am, Thank you so much
I've got a good feeling about this competition and all the possibilities it can go in now!
Blue Skies @ you
Al-x-
RevolutionAL said:Oh my word!
What an epic send off from the lovely ma'am Lavender !
I needed to borrow google for some of the references there, fantastic when that happens... Education!
The school that burnt down, I saw the article was from September this year, was that really the school you attended? Or was that poetic timing? Got to admit I loved how the piece was more about the time and things that happened associated than the man himself... Stellar start ma'am, Thank you so much
I've got a good feeling about this competition and all the possibilities it can go in now!
Blue Skies @ you
Al-x-
Thanks Al!
I did go to BF Brown from 1980-81. It was a gorgeous old building and the former high school and annex classroom buildings, were right across the street. I lived within walking distance and that particular area was the Finnish section of town.
If you go to my poems, I put a photo there with this poem, of one of the pages in my yearbook--I'm standing in the front row, way on the left side, under the tree.
Sad that it burned --they think homeless people were staying there and lit a fire to keep warm. Funny the things you remember--Art class and John Lennon and everything in the poem is true.
What an epic send off from the lovely ma'am Lavender !
I needed to borrow google for some of the references there, fantastic when that happens... Education!
The school that burnt down, I saw the article was from September this year, was that really the school you attended? Or was that poetic timing? Got to admit I loved how the piece was more about the time and things that happened associated than the man himself... Stellar start ma'am, Thank you so much
I've got a good feeling about this competition and all the possibilities it can go in now!
Blue Skies @ you
Al-x-
Thanks Al!
I did go to BF Brown from 1980-81. It was a gorgeous old building and the former high school and annex classroom buildings, were right across the street. I lived within walking distance and that particular area was the Finnish section of town.
If you go to my poems, I put a photo there with this poem, of one of the pages in my yearbook--I'm standing in the front row, way on the left side, under the tree.
Sad that it burned --they think homeless people were staying there and lit a fire to keep warm. Funny the things you remember--Art class and John Lennon and everything in the poem is true.
Pine trees
Momma always use to say,
Make sure everyone else is okay,
And that's what I did,
I'd sit under those pine trees,
And just sing.
The Blue Jays would carry my tune,
Soon October became June,
But the blue jays no longer sang,
Flowers bloomed,
And hearts swooned,
Momma always told me to find the good in the world,
She told me to find the peace and the love,
But all I found was hatred.
So I sat under my pine trees,
Singing to my blueJays,
Waiting for the day,
To find peace and love.
Momma always use to say,
Make sure everyone else is okay,
And that's what I did,
I'd sit under those pine trees,
And just sing.
The Blue Jays would carry my tune,
Soon October became June,
But the blue jays no longer sang,
Flowers bloomed,
And hearts swooned,
Momma always told me to find the good in the world,
She told me to find the peace and the love,
But all I found was hatred.
So I sat under my pine trees,
Singing to my blueJays,
Waiting for the day,
To find peace and love.
Anonymous
Loved by Lennon
Dear John,
Today I am able to tell the world my love story about you.
✨Always Peace Always ✨
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On October, the 9th day in 1940, one of very few Timeless artist graced our universe . Alfred "Freddie " Lennon and Julia Stanley Lennon in Liverpool, England, UK..
Gave birth to a deity of love,a humanitarian, a novelist, a producer, warrior of peace, singer, song writer, a published poet, and most importantly a father, lover, and a house husband. ✨John Winston Lennon ✨
Before I can even write about all John was honored for or famous for. Let us start at the beginning.
John had a rough start as a child. Mom 14 and Dad 15 met in an era of the dance halls were ,the "Jitterbug " was considered wild dancing ..Finally,11 years later Julia popped the question. They ran immediately getting married that day. Alf unfortunately left to his ship the next day. Juila returning to her family home. In January of 1940, Julia discovered she was pregnant with John. Alf was not present at his sons birth. He was off on a navy ship. World War II at it's height. He sent home all his earnings faithfully for three years. Defecting in 1943. John never saw his father until 1945.
John had been handed back and forth between his mother and his aunt Mimi.
Finally Julia allowed her sister Mimi to raise him. In 1946, Alf asked to take John on an extended holiday. Leaving with him, Julia and John Dykins (Julia's partner)
followed Alf. Discovering he was taking him to live in New Zealand. Johns parents had a intense argument in front of John that day. Alf asking John to chose between him or his mother. John, twice chose his father. That day 5yr old John left crying with his mother. Who eventually gave him back to her sister Mimi. John felt it was his fault he couldn't live with his mother, by stating in an interview " My mother couldn't cope with me."
The day Julia was killed in a tragic accident. John was 18. He was described as severely traumatized. His father knew but, never called. You see, he started hanging out at his mums, around 11yrs old. She taught him to play the ukulele, banjo . She gave John the money to buy his first guitar, at 16. An inexpensive Gallstone Champion acoustic. Under the condition it would stay at her home. Listening and dancing to ''Elvis'', she taught him how to play'' Ain't That a Shame'' by, ''Fats Domino'' on a record player. That was forbidden at Aunt Mimi's. Julia allowed John to be free with his passions. He wrote "Mother", and " Julia "about her.
That of course is what it's like to be Loved by Lennon.
Loved by Lennon... We all were. Your books .." In His Own Write" , "A Spaniard ". Brilliant title for your first books. Your works of poetry in prose and uplifting writings. Tales of Dave. Your single line, hilarious art... you could have conquered over the literary world. Hell, man... I believe you did...
You my dear sweet, not afraid to admit you weren't perfect. I loved that about you. When you released the single "Cold Turkey". Describing in a brutally honest detail of your battle fought and won with 'heroin addiction . No one would listen, nor did they care. Except, the love of your life. You wrote and sang your truth. I cared as I listened. Because I feel, I was loved by you... I never met you. But , your music knew me...
With your countries invasion of the Nigerian Civil War in Biafra... with their support for Americas invasion of the Vietnam War. You made a political statement.... As you and Yoko , spent your honeymoon at the Amsterdam ,Hilton. For your "Bed-In''. Writing your songs .. "Give Peace a Chance," "Power to the People ", and my never faltering, educating my children with your, universal humanitarian, theme song and album "Imagine ".
The day an individual listens to "Imagine ". And states they don't want for our world, what you had written in lyrical content. Is either a pessimist or a sociopath. Everyone may not enjoy the composition you harmonized. That's just preference of melodic rhythm. I believe it was you, explaining to us, how to coexist.
Now that is being... Loved by Lennon.
Out of all the Beatles ... you were absolutely the most fascinating to me.
Leaving them had to be difficult. Instead of giving you credit for being a family man and deeply in love with your wife. They blamed her. I never understood that. She changed you. For the better. Helping you come to terms with grief, being genuinely loved. Ya, you two had problems. What marriage doesn't. You talking off to L.A. for the "Long Weekend*. Hanging out with , Elton and Bowie. Even co-writing "Fame" with David. Elton getting you back together with Yoko.
True friends .. they were all Loved by Lennon .
I could only dream .. that you are watching all of our spirits. Hanging around your love..when she grieves for your smell, touch. Playing with your children as they grew to men...
As you brilliantly quoted " Music is everyone's possession. It's just publishers that think they own it.''
*John Winston Ono Lennon*
His ashes are in Central Park, New York. A statue of Strawberry Fields is placed in memory, years later in the area of where they were spread.
Dear John,
Today I am able to tell the world my love story about you.
✨Always Peace Always ✨
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On October, the 9th day in 1940, one of very few Timeless artist graced our universe . Alfred "Freddie " Lennon and Julia Stanley Lennon in Liverpool, England, UK..
Gave birth to a deity of love,a humanitarian, a novelist, a producer, warrior of peace, singer, song writer, a published poet, and most importantly a father, lover, and a house husband. ✨John Winston Lennon ✨
Before I can even write about all John was honored for or famous for. Let us start at the beginning.
John had a rough start as a child. Mom 14 and Dad 15 met in an era of the dance halls were ,the "Jitterbug " was considered wild dancing ..Finally,11 years later Julia popped the question. They ran immediately getting married that day. Alf unfortunately left to his ship the next day. Juila returning to her family home. In January of 1940, Julia discovered she was pregnant with John. Alf was not present at his sons birth. He was off on a navy ship. World War II at it's height. He sent home all his earnings faithfully for three years. Defecting in 1943. John never saw his father until 1945.
John had been handed back and forth between his mother and his aunt Mimi.
Finally Julia allowed her sister Mimi to raise him. In 1946, Alf asked to take John on an extended holiday. Leaving with him, Julia and John Dykins (Julia's partner)
followed Alf. Discovering he was taking him to live in New Zealand. Johns parents had a intense argument in front of John that day. Alf asking John to chose between him or his mother. John, twice chose his father. That day 5yr old John left crying with his mother. Who eventually gave him back to her sister Mimi. John felt it was his fault he couldn't live with his mother, by stating in an interview " My mother couldn't cope with me."
The day Julia was killed in a tragic accident. John was 18. He was described as severely traumatized. His father knew but, never called. You see, he started hanging out at his mums, around 11yrs old. She taught him to play the ukulele, banjo . She gave John the money to buy his first guitar, at 16. An inexpensive Gallstone Champion acoustic. Under the condition it would stay at her home. Listening and dancing to ''Elvis'', she taught him how to play'' Ain't That a Shame'' by, ''Fats Domino'' on a record player. That was forbidden at Aunt Mimi's. Julia allowed John to be free with his passions. He wrote "Mother", and " Julia "about her.
That of course is what it's like to be Loved by Lennon.
Loved by Lennon... We all were. Your books .." In His Own Write" , "A Spaniard ". Brilliant title for your first books. Your works of poetry in prose and uplifting writings. Tales of Dave. Your single line, hilarious art... you could have conquered over the literary world. Hell, man... I believe you did...
You my dear sweet, not afraid to admit you weren't perfect. I loved that about you. When you released the single "Cold Turkey". Describing in a brutally honest detail of your battle fought and won with 'heroin addiction . No one would listen, nor did they care. Except, the love of your life. You wrote and sang your truth. I cared as I listened. Because I feel, I was loved by you... I never met you. But , your music knew me...
With your countries invasion of the Nigerian Civil War in Biafra... with their support for Americas invasion of the Vietnam War. You made a political statement.... As you and Yoko , spent your honeymoon at the Amsterdam ,Hilton. For your "Bed-In''. Writing your songs .. "Give Peace a Chance," "Power to the People ", and my never faltering, educating my children with your, universal humanitarian, theme song and album "Imagine ".
The day an individual listens to "Imagine ". And states they don't want for our world, what you had written in lyrical content. Is either a pessimist or a sociopath. Everyone may not enjoy the composition you harmonized. That's just preference of melodic rhythm. I believe it was you, explaining to us, how to coexist.
Now that is being... Loved by Lennon.
Out of all the Beatles ... you were absolutely the most fascinating to me.
Leaving them had to be difficult. Instead of giving you credit for being a family man and deeply in love with your wife. They blamed her. I never understood that. She changed you. For the better. Helping you come to terms with grief, being genuinely loved. Ya, you two had problems. What marriage doesn't. You talking off to L.A. for the "Long Weekend*. Hanging out with , Elton and Bowie. Even co-writing "Fame" with David. Elton getting you back together with Yoko.
True friends .. they were all Loved by Lennon .
I could only dream .. that you are watching all of our spirits. Hanging around your love..when she grieves for your smell, touch. Playing with your children as they grew to men...
As you brilliantly quoted " Music is everyone's possession. It's just publishers that think they own it.''
*John Winston Ono Lennon*
His ashes are in Central Park, New York. A statue of Strawberry Fields is placed in memory, years later in the area of where they were spread.
Oh how personal and intense Fallen Angel Jonah
I loved the personal feelings and little message that is so prevalent with the topic.
A helluva lot of heart, on the page there.
Is your reference to "The Blue Jays" regarding the baseball team in Toronto ?
I'm so excited by the quality of the
pieces falling in into this competition,
It's definately got soul init!
Thank you so much for joining us
Blue Skies & Peace @ You
Al-x-
I loved the personal feelings and little message that is so prevalent with the topic.
A helluva lot of heart, on the page there.
Is your reference to "The Blue Jays" regarding the baseball team in Toronto ?
I'm so excited by the quality of the
pieces falling in into this competition,
It's definately got soul init!
Thank you so much for joining us
Blue Skies & Peace @ You
Al-x-
Forgotton Mom!
You won't be forgotton after today!
You've filled that page with the most wonderful mix of solid historical fact and
wonderful personal elements and memories
Your love for the topic is extremely evident
in some cases It's emotional too.
Good on you, you've worked your but off on this! I need to read it a few times. The one read will never do it for me. I am extremely grateful to you for putting that here.
Much love & peace @ you
Al-x-
You won't be forgotton after today!
You've filled that page with the most wonderful mix of solid historical fact and
wonderful personal elements and memories
Your love for the topic is extremely evident
in some cases It's emotional too.
Good on you, you've worked your but off on this! I need to read it a few times. The one read will never do it for me. I am extremely grateful to you for putting that here.
Much love & peace @ you
Al-x-
Little piece of hope
I use to sit under willow trees
And I'd listen to the wind sing,
It sang quietly with the birds,
And then it sang with her,
A little peace of hope,
The sycamore trees would sway,
And everything was hopeful until winter came,
The leaves turned brown,
And the willow trees branches fell to the cold crisp ground,
A little peace of hope,
Just give it a chance,
I sat under the willow trees,
waiting for the peace to come to me,
Listening to the sound of the sycamore trees,
Just give it a chance,
As winter arrived,
I watched the falling leaves dance.
Just give it a chance,
To watch the leaves dance.
Watching the snow fall,
Instead of the peace,
And Instead of the falling leaves,
Just give it a chance,
To watch the peace dance.
I use to sit under willow trees
And I'd listen to the wind sing,
It sang quietly with the birds,
And then it sang with her,
A little peace of hope,
The sycamore trees would sway,
And everything was hopeful until winter came,
The leaves turned brown,
And the willow trees branches fell to the cold crisp ground,
A little peace of hope,
Just give it a chance,
I sat under the willow trees,
waiting for the peace to come to me,
Listening to the sound of the sycamore trees,
Just give it a chance,
As winter arrived,
I watched the falling leaves dance.
Just give it a chance,
To watch the leaves dance.
Watching the snow fall,
Instead of the peace,
And Instead of the falling leaves,
Just give it a chance,
To watch the peace dance.
A Conversation with a gentle Prophet
he was a good man
in spectacles perched on a slim nose
tossin out peace signs
in a Tee lovin NYC
and was taken from us so soon
1980
a death of a king among kings
John: "Yeah Calamity, you think that's all they remember about me?"
"what of my sons? My wife? And I don't think I'd fancy being King."
"i much prefer Jester."
O John...You do play the fool
I believe you are perceived.....
Our poet giver lauriette
of peaceful revolution
of humor and free love
that sees only the soul
and when taken in
breathed deep
you set humanity's mind free
John: "Awe...Jenny gl, I quite like that."
"What is more beautiful than peace? More liberating than the good fight for freedom."
"I have been away some time, how did the world fair?'
The world is still sighing
a collective exhale of grief
the loss still acute
and we stand and mourn together
easing one anothers broken hearts
we still sing your song John
and promise to remember
John: "The World, the people, they Come together over me?"
"Awe, Jenny my Gal, What a wonderful thing...this unity. I Imagined this ...
some, they said I was a dreamer, but see, I was not the only one.. I hoped some day all would join me...
And the World would live as one..."
he was a good man
in spectacles perched on a slim nose
tossin out peace signs
in a Tee lovin NYC
and was taken from us so soon
1980
a death of a king among kings
John: "Yeah Calamity, you think that's all they remember about me?"
"what of my sons? My wife? And I don't think I'd fancy being King."
"i much prefer Jester."
O John...You do play the fool
I believe you are perceived.....
Our poet giver lauriette
of peaceful revolution
of humor and free love
that sees only the soul
and when taken in
breathed deep
you set humanity's mind free
John: "Awe...Jenny gl, I quite like that."
"What is more beautiful than peace? More liberating than the good fight for freedom."
"I have been away some time, how did the world fair?'
The world is still sighing
a collective exhale of grief
the loss still acute
and we stand and mourn together
easing one anothers broken hearts
we still sing your song John
and promise to remember
John: "The World, the people, they Come together over me?"
"Awe, Jenny my Gal, What a wonderful thing...this unity. I Imagined this ...
some, they said I was a dreamer, but see, I was not the only one.. I hoped some day all would join me...
And the World would live as one..."
All You Need
a brilliant man
songwriter
guitarist
an icon
shaping music
and views
being a Beatle
didn’t hurt
imagine
reigns true
forever
relevant
he praised
us all
as hero’s
of the working class
wheels spin
in spirit
prophecy
recognized
cold turkey
we embrace
the thought
of revolution
peace in
strawberry
fields
a wise walrus
peace pipe
caterpillar
you know
the rest
a day
in the life
of hope
and love
don’t let
instant karma
claim you
avoid the taxman
you’ve always
got friends
to help
and provide
don’t need
religion
or
propaganda
just love..
simply love..
is all you
need..
a brilliant man
songwriter
guitarist
an icon
shaping music
and views
being a Beatle
didn’t hurt
imagine
reigns true
forever
relevant
he praised
us all
as hero’s
of the working class
wheels spin
in spirit
prophecy
recognized
cold turkey
we embrace
the thought
of revolution
peace in
strawberry
fields
a wise walrus
peace pipe
caterpillar
you know
the rest
a day
in the life
of hope
and love
don’t let
instant karma
claim you
avoid the taxman
you’ve always
got friends
to help
and provide
don’t need
religion
or
propaganda
just love..
simply love..
is all you
need..
calamitygin said:A Conversation with a gentle Prophet
he was a good man
in spectacles perched on a slim nose
tossin out peace signs
in a T lovin NYC
and was taken from us so soon
1980
a death of a king among kings
Thank yo for joining us Miss Gin
Good to have you here... I wanted to confirm your language, when you refer to a "a T lovin NYC" are you refering to shirt?
Thanks for the piece the accent is extremely evident and that's awsome cool.
Blue Skies @You
Al-x-
he was a good man
in spectacles perched on a slim nose
tossin out peace signs
in a T lovin NYC
and was taken from us so soon
1980
a death of a king among kings
Thank yo for joining us Miss Gin
Good to have you here... I wanted to confirm your language, when you refer to a "a T lovin NYC" are you refering to shirt?
Thanks for the piece the accent is extremely evident and that's awsome cool.
Blue Skies @You
Al-x-
