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I Cannot Stand Poetic Forms - For Contest

I  cannot stand poetic forms
I like them less than winter storms
they force me into ancient norms
of rhyming words in angry swarms
for I was frightened by Haiku
in darkened rooms -- I cried --- boo hoo.

Then came the metronomic tick
sez I:  “what is this evil trick?”
now I must measure every rhyme
with tapping stick of metered time
I cannot…. will not, …..won’t ….I say
be forced inside the lines…..to stay.

For I shall dance….the poet’s dance
of shaggy hair….. of tattered pants
dance with those….. in tie and tails
rap with those….. released from jails
free demon words from fear’s cold cell
sing hymns resounding angels bell.

My crayons stray outside the lines
my words creation redefines
I am free to choose my words
soothing balm or cutting swords
to calm the hearts of troubled souls
as shovels digging dying’s holes.

And yet the verse is never Free
for it remains a part of me
wandering a poets hell
secrets it has yet to tell.


5/12/2016

submitted to – Get Your Dr. Seuss On – Poetry Contest
sponsor – The Seeker

Copyright © John Lawless | Year Posted 2016

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Dineen Williams Gault Date: 6/4/2016 11:48:00 AM Reminded me of Dr. Suess here so whimsical and great rhymes. From what I've read, you excel regardless of form. Wonderful write, congratulations! Login to Reply John Lawless Date: 6/4/2016 8:46:00 PM Thanks for the high praise. Although I belabor the constraints of 'Poetic Forms" I realize that if you give the horse too loose a rein he heads back to the barn,.

Andrea Dietrich Date: 6/3/2016 8:19:00 PM haha, you are condemning the very thing you are doing SO WELL here: Blank verse and all the wonderful forms similar to it. I REALLY like this. I should go see which placement you got. This one reminds me a bit of a sonnet I did a long time ago. I think it's called: Inside this little Room. the room is sonnet form and I am saying WHY I enjoy having limits placed on me (opposite of what you say here, and yet the effect is still the same, since this ends up making verse look SO good). A SEVEN Login to Reply John Lawless Date: 6/4/2016 8:44:00 PM Well Andrea, to color outside the lines effectively one must learn what and where the lines are. Thanks for stopping by and for the high mark.

Sara Chansarkar Date: 5/27/2016 8:03:00 AM Funny and original, thanks John! Login to Reply John Lawless Date: 5/28/2016 8:49:00 AM Thanks Sara, appreciate your checking in to read and comment.

Kim Rodrigues Date: 5/26/2016 11:16:00 PM Nice one, John! Congratulations! Login to Reply John Lawless Date: 5/28/2016 8:49:00 AM Thanks for stopping by to read and comment Kim, always nice to hear from a new voice...

Eve Roper Date: 5/26/2016 10:36:00 PM Congratulations on your win, John, enjoyed the read of the poet :) Hugs Eve Login to Reply John Lawless Date: 5/28/2016 8:48:00 AM Thanks Eve always nice to hear from you

Tom Quigley Date: 5/26/2016 4:44:00 PM Fun write! Beware those words in angry swarms. :-) Login to Reply Tom Quigley Date: 5/30/2016 12:26:00 AM Yah, gutta be kaeh-ful ta not trip all ovah thum! John Lawless Date: 5/28/2016 8:46:00 AM ....and when they leave there are always "unused R's" all over the place....(that's a "Bastion" joke)

Carrie Richards Date: 5/25/2016 4:54:00 PM I love this !!! I like to color outside the lines too.......so not within the confines of strict rules..... Dr. Suess rules !!! LOL !! Login to Reply John Lawless Date: 5/28/2016 8:43:00 AM Hey Carrie I recently made up a sign containing the "Mantra of the Terrible Two's" - "DON'T HAFTA - DON'T WANNA - AIN'T GONNA - CAN'T MAKE ME". Thanks for checking in, your interest and input are always appreciated.

Mark Woods Date: 5/25/2016 3:11:00 AM Funny, and the poem has a wonderful Suess like beat to it. I was trying to think which one it reminded of and it's Green Eggs and Ham. All in eights (except the last two lines). Clever write. Login to Reply John Lawless Date: 5/28/2016 8:41:00 AM Thanks for stopping to read and comment Mark. The muse likes to wander close to the fence and often sneaks out on its own.