Modified Quatrain Contest - craig cornish's Blog

craig cornish's Blog

About craig cornish

(Show Details...)

I started writing poetry as a young boy, actually they were lyrics to melodies I would invent, performed before the captive audience of Mom and Dad, who were, at least outwardly entertained. Let’s face it, if you can’t please a loving family it’s probably not a good idea to take your show on the road. I started writing poems in high school for English and Lit. classes and through college, some for courses, some for loves, and some---just because. Sold some lyrics for ads and had some writings published. Then life struck—marriage, family, work, and I didn’t write another poem for years, well, maybe a few. Then just over a year ago I was searching for inspiration for a eulogy because a friend’s Dad had died and my search lead me to Poetry Soup and the fine poets who reside here. I have learned more here than in all of my English and Literature classes combined. I can think of many names that have been particularly inspirational but truly it is the whole—this creative melting pot…Poetry Soup---Thank You

Home
Past Blogs
My Poems
My Photos
My Fav Poems
My Fav Poets

Most Recent Blog Post

Modified Quatrain Contest

Blog Posted:1/12/2013 2:44:00 PM

Per Isaiah's worthy advice I have further explained in the contest rules what might help clarify what is required----thanks Isaiah for bring that to my attention. Also, please put your names on the poems now, because if you are close and I can help I will.
The two entries so far are pretty good with syllable count but mostly not with meter---more difficult than you think but also easier than you think.

Post Comments

Please Login to post a comment

SaraKendrick

Date: 1/17/2013 6:20:00 PM

Okay...Sara

Login to Reply

craigcornish

Date: 1/15/2013 6:16:00 AM

Su, If your weakness is meter I would like to have some strengths so weak. If anyone would like to see good meter check out Su's quatrain.

Login to Reply

Suzette Crous Date: 1/15/2013 1:20:00 PM

Namaste, Craig

SerenRoberts

Date: 1/13/2013 10:19:00 PM

Glad I read the comments, just thought I was a thicko. Meter and I are not friends not even with it being spelt out to me. My welsh accent doesn't help either. So I have taken mine out of the contest, but left in my list. Unless I can figure it out in time.Sorry Craig.

Suzette Crous Date: 1/13/2013 11:56:00 PM

I am with you on this one, Senen. We know that many words (too many to look up and list here) are pronounced (and often spelled differently) with the stress at different places. What I would call perfect "Shakespeare meter" will be lost on our USA counterparts. I left mine in - a bit of a learning curve for me.

Suzette Crous

Date: 1/13/2013 3:40:00 PM

Help needed, please. Any of the fundi's may comment on my poem (my first attempt at anything remotely containing meter): April 1994. Thank you. :-)

Suzette Crous Date: 1/15/2013 1:58:00 AM

*heel..... :-)

Suzette Crous Date: 1/15/2013 1:48:00 AM

Thank you Craig for helping me master (if that is the right word) this meter which has always been my Achilles heal.

Suzette Crous

Date: 1/13/2013 1:06:00 PM

Confession Time: You might have noticed that I write in British English (opposed to USA English) - now add to that the fact that we place the stresses at different places on words and we pronounce our words with a strong accent - akin to the Scots accent & our grammar structure is akin to that of French (due to the fact that Afrikaans is my first language). You will get the picture and what I have a big problem with. I cannot write poetry with meter what you will recognise as acceptable meter. Words like "defence" we spell with a "c" and the stress is on the second vowel - where you in the USA place it on the first vowel. I will have to sit this one out, Craig. Sorry about that :-(

Suzette Crous Date: 1/13/2013 3:38:00 PM

Thank you. :-)

Debbie Guzzi Date: 1/13/2013 3:05:00 PM

when in doubt use websters dictionary

Suzette Crous Date: 1/13/2013 2:27:00 PM

This has helped me somewhat with the terms used: http://www.uncg.edu/~htkirbys/meters.htm

MandyTams The Golden Girl

Date: 1/13/2013 4:12:00 AM

please help!!!!!!!!!!!!

Login to Reply

Debbie Guzzi Date: 1/13/2013 3:05:00 PM

I will help Goldie which poem?

AndreaDietrich

Date: 1/12/2013 10:41:00 PM

ok, now it looks even harder. hahaha. well, at least I think I get you know on enjambment. It is ok just so long as not between the stanzas only, right? I don't like it between stanzas either!

Login to Reply

AndreaDietrich

Date: 1/12/2013 8:55:00 PM

Craig, I sure hope to get around to your contest. Been really busy lately but this is one I want to try!! will check it out again to see any changes.

Login to Reply

DebraSquyres

Date: 1/12/2013 8:13:00 PM

Syllables I understand...meter is beyond my understanding at this time. Though I've seen it explained I still found it confusing...whoa is me !! lol I like it when an example or more instructions is given...bravo.

Debbie Guzzi Date: 1/13/2013 3:03:00 PM

Deb Andie and Joyce helped beat it into my head it took about a year and a half & actually learning to write in limerick meter came first. You have to find an iambic phrase and read it outloud over and over until the cadence is in your head

Ruben O.

Date: 1/12/2013 4:53:00 PM

How many times do I have to tell you that Im deaf-meter!! : ) I'll wait for your next contest! Have a nice evening. Ruben.

Login to Reply

DebbieGuzzi

Date: 1/12/2013 3:12:00 PM

Craig you want 8 sylables,6,8,6 boy did I mess up LOL don't have them ask me have them ask Andie I have to write something new!

Login to Reply

My Past Blog Posts


Memorial Day Date Posted: 5/24/2013 12:14:00 PM
Old 45's Date Posted: 5/23/2013 7:46:00 PM
Some More Clarification on The Lyric Contest Date Posted: 5/20/2013 3:55:00 PM
Typewriter Contest Finalized Date Posted: 5/20/2013 9:33:00 AM
New Contest--Write lyrics to Pierre Bensusan's Le Jardin d'Adonis Date Posted: 5/17/2013 3:39:00 PM
Sinatra Snippet Date Posted: 5/14/2013 7:41:00 AM
Poem from the B.C. Comic Strip this AM Date Posted: 5/12/2013 7:03:00 AM
Another Lyric for Tim's Blog Date Posted: 5/10/2013 11:25:00 AM
Castro Screw Date Posted: 5/9/2013 6:43:00 PM
Haiku Date Posted: 5/2/2013 4:52:00 PM
Worst Poem Date Posted: 4/24/2013 3:21:00 PM
Enough Said!! Date Posted: 4/22/2013 3:38:00 PM
The Rose Date Posted: 4/19/2013 11:50:00 AM
Marathon Update Date Posted: 4/19/2013 7:11:00 AM
New Contest--The Typewriter Date Posted: 4/17/2013 3:38:00 PM
Tissue Box Contest Judged Date Posted: 4/17/2013 10:01:00 AM
Limerick rhyme scheme Date Posted: 4/2/2013 4:25:00 PM
Gone till next week. Date Posted: 4/1/2013 3:24:00 PM
Robin Date Posted: 3/27/2013 1:34:00 PM
Pearl contest judged Date Posted: 3/22/2013 1:30:00 PM
Hehe Date Posted: 3/22/2013 9:36:00 AM
Kids Date Posted: 3/17/2013 9:53:00 AM
Because these are Serious Times Date Posted: 3/15/2013 8:32:00 AM
Paper is not Dead ! Date Posted: 3/13/2013 1:37:00 PM
Some Know How to Live Date Posted: 3/9/2013 1:54:00 PM