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Golden Shovel

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Written for Craig Cornish's 'Golden Shovel' contest.

A form invented by Terrance Hayes called "Golden Shovel", because it borrows words from classic & or previously written poems and incorporates them into your own write. The process is to take a line or lines from the old poem and each word becomes the last word of each line you write and the quantity of words will, therefore, equate to the number of lines in your poem. For example, if the chosen line is "Mary had a lamb", your poem would be 4 lines long with "Mary" ending line one, "had" ending line two etc

The meticulous melody of my musings is she. Quietly my quill inscribes intrinsic ink upon the paths she walks. Profoundly postulated in poems I've portrayed her in - she's inspired ingenious imagery of beaucoup beauty. I ponder without her what my life would be like? With determiners of this, that, these and those, she is the one who guides like an orchestra of street lights at night. In times of silence I wonder what she is thinking of when gazing at blue horizons that appear cloudless, as her exotic eyes always crave for calming climes. There is no measure in the pleasure of her treasure and her artistry on a blank canvas turns stanzas radiantly starry, so I croon a tune hoping to be the moon under her serene skies. Yet not all lullabies of lovers can ease a melancholic mind and sometimes it's difficult to write lyrics making sense of it all. Not all verses compliment strings with an instrumental that's an emotionally unbalanced mix of tones not seen as the best remedy in episodes of rage - so I wonder what becomes of tranquillity when her tempest temper turns her thoughts dark. I regret those forgotten promises lost in broken symphonies and until sanity soothes with words of softness, I'll hold onto all that is bright. She walks in beauty, like the night Of cloudless climes and starry skies; And all that’s best of dark and bright Lord Byron – She Walks in Beauty

Copyright © | Year Posted 2023




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Date: 10/7/2023 10:58:00 AM
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts in this inspiration and for the creative mix you added (to be honest, I'm not sure I like the form but it inspired some fine writes like yours).
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Date: 10/4/2023 9:37:00 AM
Back with congratulations.
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Date: 10/3/2023 10:17:00 PM
This is really cool. I didn't realize what a "golden shovel" poem was until now. This looks fun to try. I love the musical theme and your internal rhymes.
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Date: 10/3/2023 10:07:00 PM
Congratulations on your win, SO. I particularly liked the final stanza.
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Date: 10/3/2023 9:01:00 PM
So efficiently composed with your usual Poetic touch. Congrats to win. Blessings
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Date: 9/29/2023 8:35:00 PM
This I feel is a very difficult form I didn't even dare to have a try. You have done it so masterfully...... I am sure you will be a top winner..... "her artistry on a blank canvas turns stanzas radiantly starry, so I croon a tune hoping to be the moon under her serene skies." Wow , so beautiful and romantic !
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Date: 9/29/2023 2:19:00 AM
Yours is way better, SO, I love how you close most of the lines without too much enjambment, this poem rocks:) this was quite a challenge, wasn't it?
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Date: 9/28/2023 5:29:00 PM
This is breathtaking and poignant. You seem to have found your way....
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Date: 9/28/2023 3:29:00 PM
wow your always a winner to me, regardless if you win a contest or not S O :)
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Date: 9/28/2023 3:09:00 PM
I really liked putting the last word together to come up with Lord Byron's famous verse!
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Date: 9/28/2023 2:16:00 PM
such wonderful images you created, Silent One! "Her artistry on a blank canvas..." made me say WOW! Then the melonchonoly you displayed made me identify with the feeling 'when her tempst turns.' I can so identify with that. And incorporating Byron (one of my favorite poets) was brilliant. Well done, dear fellow poet. Enjoy your evening, Sara
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Date: 9/28/2023 11:54:00 AM
This is a magnificent creation, Silent One. I thoroughly enjoyed it! It is a fave. :)
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Date: 9/28/2023 10:15:00 AM
Yep, you’re a Poet!! Reading a third time, S1. Bravo! :-)
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Date: 9/28/2023 8:40:00 AM
Brilliancy of another level! Enjoyed.
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Silent One
Date: 9/28/2023 12:30:00 PM
Thank you
Date: 9/28/2023 7:50:00 AM
This is excellent. Creative and so well written. It is nice to have you here Silent One :)
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Silent One
Date: 9/28/2023 12:30:00 PM
Thank you..
Date: 9/28/2023 7:49:00 AM
Every line so creative that it reaches out and speaks to you. Awesome verse, my friend.
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Silent One
Date: 9/28/2023 12:29:00 PM
Thank you..
Date: 9/28/2023 6:53:00 AM
Dear friend SO, your writing has captivated me with its enchanting tones and rhymes. The way you have brilliantly described the strength in your words is truly remarkable. Every line is impeccably crafted, evoking vivid images and emotions. Your mastery in using the prompt to compose such a piece is awe-inspiring. It is no easy feat to use only one word at the end of each verse, but you have executed it flawlessly, showcasing your skill in manipulating words as a very talented poet.
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Silent One
Date: 9/28/2023 7:42:00 AM
Thank you for your wonderful feedback my friend.
Date: 9/28/2023 6:49:00 AM
WOW! Splendidly done my friend--amazing how you incorporated those 21 words from She Walks in Beauty. A FAVE for your poetic prowess and your creativity, SO.
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Silent One
Date: 9/28/2023 7:42:00 AM
Thank you Vijay.. I'm surprised this one is so popular..
Date: 9/28/2023 5:42:00 AM
Beautiful. I've never heard of this style before, I like it :)
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Silent One
Date: 9/28/2023 7:28:00 AM
So nice to see you.. Thank you. It is not a style I like very much, but thought I would try it out.
Date: 9/28/2023 5:42:00 AM
"In times of silence I wonder what she is thinking of.." A line I can identify with of late. Is she thinking of me? Dreaming of me? "No measure to the pleasure of her treasure..." Another goody. Don't worry too much about the ankle biters. Their influence is waning. Love triumphs over hate. The majority rules. Great poetry SO
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Silent One
Date: 9/28/2023 7:24:00 AM
You can relate to that? I hope the silence ends for you.. I've had ankle biters all my life, so I'm immune to the chomping.. Thanks Tom.
Date: 9/28/2023 4:55:00 AM
The meticulous melody of my musings is she… Quietly my quill inscribes intrinsic ink upon the paths she walks... mmmmm those word play!!!! Musical sunscreen!!!!! no measure in the pleasure of her treasure… aaaaa the perfect pressure!! Absolutely gorgeous write brothaaa.. the way the word flows !!
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Silent One
Date: 9/28/2023 6:56:00 AM
Thank you.. we all need the right lyrics to music or the kundalini arrives..
Date: 9/28/2023 4:42:00 AM
What a beautiful poem ….. no one can beat your writing . Always a masterpiece .
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Silent One
Date: 9/28/2023 6:49:00 AM
It is not a masterpiece, but thank you for always being sweet.
Date: 9/28/2023 2:56:00 AM
What a beautiful write this is! I love the metaphors and emotions you’ve painted with poetic words using such a challenging form, you’ve somehow nailed it! I love the opening lines and flow of this and i wonder whats worse than AI? Some like to plagiarize your words too even on instagram, and thts i think a worse crime! Not flattering is it? Lol . I wonder how it feels to be silent one, such a prolific poet that would make me tear up with evocative writes such as this! I love your alliterations-
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Ink Empress
Date: 9/28/2023 9:03:00 AM
Silent one I dont believe you would write anything bad not in my eyes lol anaconda? Were you inspired by nicki minaj lolol nice name. And tom woody ur comment made me laugh lol
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Silent One
Date: 9/28/2023 6:49:00 AM
I remember I wrote an awful poem called anaconda in my first account on here, had really silly views and was copied by someone on facebook.. lol, so ridiculous..
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Tom Woody
Date: 9/28/2023 5:36:00 AM
It's funny, I found one of my poems, word for word, on another poetry site. It was a humorous rhyme poem about Frankenstein and I thought, why this one? If you're going to plagiarize me pick one better than that lol
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Lioness Onpaper
Date: 9/28/2023 4:56:00 AM
Sunscreen indeed needed when you swim!!! I may kindly offer and preffer such kindness to be extended and defended!!!! Brokeeennnnnnnnnn samaaaaaaa!!!!!
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Ink Empress
Date: 9/28/2023 4:22:00 AM
You are very calm, not like the british weather, i am like the seas, somedays, calm somedays turbulent, both days, i keep swimming! No tide can tame me.
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Silent One
Date: 9/28/2023 4:08:00 AM
As you know I'm a very calm person.. only love eradicates hate, not further hate... Also, we must dislike the action no the person as we don't know what they are suffering with.. And you can't let those consumed with hate chase you away.
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Ink Empress
Date: 9/28/2023 4:04:00 AM
Oh and im against plagiarism of any sort, angela read one of my poems on live yesterday and was talking about how so many copy and mimic me, which i think is not any form of flattery its annoying and very deceptive. And hate comes from insecurities and hurt and emptiness i wish they would heal soon … anyhow . U are very calm abt plagiarsts but question is should i be politically correct or morally? Im surrounded by politicians so maybe i shud stick to being politically correct
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Ink Empress
Date: 9/28/2023 3:57:00 AM
get your ink flowing on instagram! You have fans and poets waiting to get inspired. I enjoy soup for the various forms here which i can learn and great poets i can learn from. I dnt notice the toxicity cus im blind like that to dust i wear shades! Im an island girl . I wear shades even in winter. And few highschool rejects dnt threaten me also: So… waiting ig is! Get back on ig
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Silent One
Date: 9/28/2023 3:48:00 AM
You are doing a great job on Insta. Someone did ask me today, why am i on a toxic place like the soup when I was doing so well on Insta and surrounded my kind people.. We cant be deterred by a minority and most people on here are really nice and kind..
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Silent One
Date: 9/28/2023 3:47:00 AM
When people copy me I take it as a compliment :).. I feel sorry for them when they cannot write something themselves, so have to go to such lengths, once a person was pretending to be me copying all my poems and sending them to a woman lol.. I have no issue with people using AI to be honest, as long as they do not hurt another person, that is the most important thing, but some seem to enjoy being hateful.. I wish these people all the best though and hope they find some love in their heart.. It's easy to be the silent one, guess its not as easy to be me.. I was not going to post this one, and not too happy with it also.. but as you know I do like alliterations.. Thank you for your feedback.
Date: 9/28/2023 1:04:00 AM
This made my mind dance - waltzing words with stops at angles and covering the whole of the dancefloor with sweeping steps - beautifully done, I enjoyed it :)
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Silent One
Date: 9/28/2023 2:27:00 AM
Thank you, it was a from that is so different to how I write, so had to challenge my muse..
Date: 9/28/2023 12:19:00 AM
She Walks in beauty,and you write in Sheen splendour each step of the way,leading us to an amazing poem which makes us sigh.WoW..Beautiful..A fave.
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Silent One
Date: 9/28/2023 2:27:00 AM
Thank you Charmaine and for the fave also.

Book: Reflection on the Important Things