Busted

The trap was sprung. Caught in the act He lost his tongue and dignity The deed once done could not retract The trap was sprung. Caught in the act No chance allowed for devil’s pact Now shame replaced integrity. The trap was sprung. Caught in the act He lost his tongue and dignity. ------------------------------------------- The rearranged first line is a Zeugma: "Caught in the act and in a trap" The main Zeugma is: "He lost his tongue and dignity" ------------------------------------------- Contest: Zeugma Sponsor: Sara Kendrick Placed: 2nd

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Sara Kendrick

Date: 9/29/2014 8:37:00 AM

I could just see someone with their mouth engaged and brain turned off from whatever emotion that was churning..Thanks for your entry..I am sorry to be so long in thanking each person personally..Sara

Paul Callus
Date: 9/29/2014 9:30:00 AM

First of all glad to have you back on Soup! Secondly...thank you for enjoying my Triolet with a zeugma, and for the high placing on the winners' list:) Take care (...and no sneezing...) // paul

Hija De La Luna

Date: 9/25/2014 5:26:00 AM

excellent witty triolet, Paul! Congratulations!

Paul Callus
Date: 9/25/2014 8:18:00 AM

Thank you Hija; so glad you enjoyed it. (by the way...lovely avatar:)) // paul

Pandita Sietesantos

Date: 9/23/2014 8:06:00 AM

Hi Paul, I really enjoyed this amazing clever piece! No wonder you placed so highly in the contest! Congratulations, my friend, on this well-deserved great win! Pandita

Paul Callus
Date: 9/23/2014 10:10:00 AM

Thank you Pandita! you are too kind:) (but keep the complimentary messages coming...I love them!!). You support and encourage with lovely feedback:) // paul

Brenda Meier-Hans

Date: 9/22/2014 9:37:00 AM

Really nicely done Paul. Congratulations on your second place win.

Paul Callus
Date: 9/22/2014 10:55:00 AM

Thank you Brenda; you did extremely well, too! Have a lovely week. // paul

John Lawless

Date: 9/22/2014 8:16:00 AM

wonderful rendition of the "cat got your tongue" syndrome. Congrats not the high placement, well earned.

Paul Callus
Date: 9/22/2014 10:20:00 AM

Glad you enjoyed this write, John. Thank you for stopping by with lovely comments and congrats. Have a nice day. // paul

Sara Kendrick

Date: 9/20/2014 9:55:00 AM

I enjoyed reading this one..I appreciate your participation in my contest..Thanks for dropping by my blog with encouraging words..Sara

Paul Callus
Date: 9/20/2014 2:14:00 PM

Thank you Sara! Placing me second in your contest came as a pleasant surprise considering the high level of entries that were submitted. Take care and God bless. // paul

David Mohn

Date: 9/19/2014 5:48:00 PM

Nicely written Paul...congrats on your deserved high placement

Paul Callus
Date: 9/20/2014 6:24:00 AM

Many thanks David....although somehow I still can't find the official results to this contest! // paul

Olive Eloisa Guillermo - Fraser

Date: 9/9/2014 9:00:00 PM

Wow!!! Another smooth flowing triolet from you..:) nice one!! Will we Weee ach other on the list? :D hope hope so..:P

Paul Callus
Date: 9/10/2014 2:06:00 PM

Hi Olive_ei! Looking forward to, at least, stand on the same podium with you:) Glad you found this triolet to your liking! hugs // paul

Chuck Melugin

Date: 9/3/2014 8:35:00 PM

I loved "Busted", Paul. I never lost my tongue but I have lost my butt in Vegas! A past friend of mine, Harlan Howard, wrote a song titled "Busted" It is a great song! My best, chuck

Paul Callus
Date: 9/4/2014 8:37:00 AM

Hi Chuck...thanks for stopping by. I take it we're talking about country music songwriter Harlan Howard who wrote "Busted' for Johnny Cash...that is a great song! Have a nice day. // paul

Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 9/1/2014 10:02:00 AM

Dear Paul, I love the poem's message and the way it was written. "He lost his tongue and dignity" is a very clever zeugma. Sara gave some great inspiration with this contest. Sending winning wishes to you! Love, Carolyn

Paul Callus
Date: 9/1/2014 3:38:00 PM

I am so glad you enjoyed this write, Carolyn. Triolets are lovely to write, and when a zeugma is added they become even more interesting. Yes, Sara hit on a really good idea and she must feel satisfied and more with the poems that have been entered in her contest. Love & hugs. // paul

Verlena S. Walker

Date: 8/31/2014 4:05:00 AM

Awesome write Paul... I mean super-awesome. Smile - Verlena

Paul Callus
Date: 8/31/2014 8:25:00 AM

What can I say, Verlena!! you rock!:) Thank you! // paul

M. L. Kiser

Date: 8/30/2014 10:16:00 AM

Well done!

Paul Callus
Date: 8/30/2014 11:18:00 AM

Thank you ML. Have a nice weekend. // paul

Paul Callus

Date: 8/29/2014 11:03:00 AM

You might find this of interest! Somebody mailed me to ask whether losing tongue meant that he was so embarrassed that he could not speak...or whether it was due to a sharp bladed chastity belt!! We shared a humourous exchange:) // paul

Kelly Deschler

Date: 8/29/2014 1:24:00 AM

Once a bad reputation is forged, it is often hard to erase that. So, the punishment fits the crime in this case!.... A very clever write, Paul. Well done! Good luck in Sara's contest!

Paul Callus
Date: 8/29/2014 11:09:00 AM

Thank you Kelly. So true....getting rid of a bad reputation is extra hard; same like getting rid of a nickname....both stick. Thank you for stopping by and enjoying. hugs // paul

Charmaine Chircop

Date: 8/28/2014 5:31:00 PM

It takes only a minute to let our emotion surpass our reason.Yes,it takes years to build up our reputation,our trustworthy image,and even to gain respect for who We are,yet all this can be darkened by getting carried away in the heat of the moment.Hypocrites or Human..Yes We can fund compassion as being human and eligible to loose tongue and dignity,or can be judged as shiwing a good side and then having a bad side of our character.A wise triolet penned,make us reflect of what 2say ,how & when.

Paul Callus
Date: 8/29/2014 10:15:00 AM

Hi Charm! As you say, it only takes a minute to dismantle all that one so painstakingly builds up in life. But the human body is weak, so is the mind. Perhaps old age, frustration, etc might be reasons as well. Thank you for your habitual insightful comments. // paul

Tim Smith

Date: 8/28/2014 3:13:00 PM

This is an excellent Zeugma Paul...Brings back memories of my youth as an Alter Boy. The Priest had his tongue cut out in WWI and had to chant the entire mass in Latin...Tim

Paul Callus
Date: 8/29/2014 10:09:00 AM

Ohhhh!! I do so much remember those masses in Latin; I knew every little bit by heart (I was an altar boy too!). Perhaps that is why I went on to learn Latin at secondary school (and I am so glad I did....more people ought to take it up). // paul

Eileen Manassian

Date: 8/28/2014 2:03:00 PM

Paul...good luck in the contest. I can't write one for the life of me! Caught in the act, eh? Lost his tongue and dignity... Thanks for your visit today. You know why I feel for Robin....Van Gogh...Poe...all beloved of mine. Hugs

Paul Callus
Date: 8/29/2014 10:05:00 AM

Thank you Eileen. Oh yes, you can write one; would like to see you try (even if you do not post it). I have no doubt why you feel for such people....it's a case of relating. (...and yes, I am Maltese...) hugs // paul

Scott Thirtyseven

Date: 8/28/2014 1:08:00 PM

A fascinating read, I really enjoy the punchy feel of this piece. No idea what a zeugma is, but your example is a pleasure.

Paul Callus
Date: 8/29/2014 9:56:00 AM

Thanks for stopping by Scott. Glad you enjoyed this write; not knowing what a zeugma is does not really matter that much, as long as you found it fascinating, but for the sponsor it does:)

Barbara Gorelick

Date: 8/28/2014 1:03:00 PM

Very clever, It happens with that darn tongue....Yours is the best Ive seen. BG

Paul Callus
Date: 8/29/2014 9:51:00 AM

Thank you Barbara! I'll see what I can do to get you on the judging panel:) hugs // paul

Jan Allison

Date: 8/28/2014 12:50:00 PM

Very clever write Paul. I really can't get my head around this form - good luck with the contest:-) hugs jan xx

Julia Ward
Date: 2/24/2015 3:16:00 AM

Try it Jan. It's good fun, as I know from experience.

Paul Callus
Date: 8/28/2014 12:58:00 PM

Thank you Jan for often being the first to leave your lovely comments. Glad you enjoyed this triolet. It's not as tricky as it looks; best to work on the zeugma first. hugs // paul