Into the Fray

I have withstood this austere year
Waiting on skies which never clear
Shadows away

Fingers restless for an hour's peace
Scrapes gold flakes from a drying crease
of papier-mache

Random resistance too refined
Leisure, a luxury consigned
To yesterday

Now, tart impatience I require
Passive manners swiftly expire
Against delay

In rushing tempo, I rejoice
Straight-held shoulders, marching my voice
Into the fray

On stout cliffs, I refuse the same
Meek rain, in favor of bold flame
Where bright hopes lay.

7/31/20

For 'Tail Rhyme Stanza' contest
Sponsor: Emile Pinet

(a note on papier-mache: howmanysyllables has it as 3 syllables but in rhymezone.com it is listed under the four syllable words. I used the count from howmanysyllables.com, but to check it in rhymezone, it is under the four syllable count rhymes - just so there is no confusion.)

Copyright © | Year Posted 2020



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Date: 8/26/2020 4:53:00 PM
Beautiful poem skillfully rendered congrats on your win dear Michelle.
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Date: 8/26/2020 1:52:00 PM
Back to congratulate for this excellent write. A perfect distillation of impactful words while losing none of the vibe or meaning. Well done, Michelle.
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Date: 8/26/2020 10:40:00 AM
This is a poem of poetic defiance, Michelle with so many strong word and image choices. Congratulations on your winning placement!
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Date: 8/26/2020 10:35:00 AM
Congratulations on your win. Take care. Warm regards. Rama
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Date: 8/26/2020 8:42:00 AM
Michelle, an awesome win. Heart on sleeve speaks clearly, injects optimism going forward. Looking at the winning entries, you and others packed a lot of emotion into smallish form. A fabulous job. Congratulations!
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Date: 8/26/2020 8:17:00 AM
Congratulations Michelle! Your poem earned a distinguished place in my contest, due to the demands of this form of poetry it was a difficult contest to judge, very well done my friend, Emile.
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Date: 8/10/2020 5:50:00 AM
Very descriptive and well-written, Michelle. Janice
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Date: 8/5/2020 10:01:00 PM
Is this the one you were working on when you wrote 'Dressing Up'?
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 8/7/2020 11:54:00 AM
Good memory, and yes, it was!
Date: 8/5/2020 9:59:00 PM
Do I read some of the Portland protests into this fantastic write? Even if not, it is a glorious manifesto of standing boldly for what is right and letting one's voice be heard. Brava, Michelle!
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 8/7/2020 11:53:00 AM
Not specifically, but now that I think about it, I bet it influenced me subconsciously - very apt observation, John!
Date: 8/2/2020 8:08:00 PM
As with 'unencumbered,' so too with 'papier-mache' and 'shadows away:' Great rhyming, Michelle. Ole! ~ Senor Gershon
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 8/5/2020 9:54:00 PM
That made my day :)
Date: 7/31/2020 4:06:00 PM
This is a beautiful write Michelle. It could win a lot of different contests. Good luck in Emile’s contest.
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 7/31/2020 5:40:00 PM
Not sure how it will fare, but am glad for your kind comment and wishes, thank you, Caren!
Date: 7/31/2020 2:47:00 PM
So "tart" is now the magic word? A well-thought-out combination of words, Michelle! Aloha! Rico
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Rico Leffanta
Date: 8/2/2020 11:59:00 AM
Pregnant again? Aloha! Rico
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 7/31/2020 5:39:00 PM
Actually, I think that came from my craving for key lime pie :)
Date: 7/31/2020 2:32:00 PM
You have a beautiful rhyming scheme here dear poetess, winning wishes are being sent. xo
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 7/31/2020 5:37:00 PM
Thank you kindly, Pixie Dust, hope you blow some of that magic my way :)
Date: 7/31/2020 12:42:00 PM
I felt a building tension reading this, then your after note, blew it all away, made me giggle~ I pronounce papier-mâché with 5 syllables lol <3
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 7/31/2020 9:13:00 PM
For me it's 4 syllables - glad we have a syllable counter to settle the debate!
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