My Poetry Garden

My poetry garden of late has lain untended and forlorn.
I succumbed to shock and dismay upon entering recently, for I observed that
great disagreement had erupted and now vehemently 
raged among adjoining unmade weed-filled beds of subjects and verbs.
Modifiers that had been dutifully arranged and carefully 
kept in check upon their trellises now dangled everywhere.
Sentences had spilled out of their beds in fragments or running 
on and on while cases of subjectives  and objectives shamelessly
intermingled and were now easily mistaken one for another.
Grammar, whose care I had entrusted to first, second and third 
persons, lay in shameless disarray, as if no one could tell the difference.
Gerunds casually consorted with infinitives, many 
of which had split. I recalled with a sigh how many years it had taken 
me to tightly bind them. [To bind them tightly is what I meant.]
Commas were everywhere, rendering those in appropriate 
position practically unrecognizable, which I suppose was better than 
what had happened to the capitals, now completely ignored.
No reason for the rhyme with forms confused or misplaced altogether.
My lines, unpruned, were of disparate length and hideously incompl
An unfortunate mis-spell had been cast and provoked an infestation, 
such that many of my friends had departed without comment.
The contest entry was blocked, so I bowed my head in shame,
turned around and shuffled silently through the exit marked N/A.

Posted July 24, 2014
'Let the Pens Flow - Narrative' Contest
Jenish Somadas
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

Poem

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Hicks Avatar
March 18, 2016 at 9:39 PM
This ... is ... GENIUS! I love this style of humor ... and playing off the English language can go on endlessly. So witty is this piece (now I must look up what "gerunds" are ... as with my own poetry garden that's a plant I've forgotten to even plant!). Keep 'em coming!
Hicks Avatar
March 18, 2016 at 9:39 PM
... oh and I almost forgot. A fave!
Bickerstaffe Avatar
February 19, 2016 at 10:10 AM
What a mess! So cleverly crafted!! I do so enjoy the depth and breadth of your imagination! This remind me of A Theodore Roethke tribute I wrote entitled 'FOR SALE.' Much enjoyed my friend! Keith
A   Avatar
April 5, 2015 at 10:28 PM
Mark, Thank you for the sweet reply to my comment. Have yourself a Happy Easter Love LINDA
Lamoureux Avatar
November 18, 2014 at 8:32 AM
With this piece I have added you to my favorite poets. I thoroughly enjoyed walking through your chaotic garden. This is a truly brilliant piece of writing. 7777777!
Peterson Avatar
November 18, 2014 at 9:21 AM
Hey, Richard, thanks a bunch. You were on my list to visit today, but you beat me to it. See you soon.
May Avatar
October 25, 2014 at 11:43 AM
Brilliant write Mark....I also have taken that exit, but sooner or later exits 1, 2. or 3 come into view...
Peterson Avatar
October 28, 2014 at 2:31 AM
Yes, Joseph, I've had some hits amid the misses. I have to please myself, and, apart from that, if others enjoy my poems, that's a bonus. Thanks for your persistent interest in my work.
Goudreau Avatar
October 18, 2014 at 9:12 PM
Beautifully penned. Love your sentences, commas, grammar, modifiers, infinitives, subjects, verbs wow what an authentic piece of fine poetry! You are very creative in what you do!
Peterson Avatar
October 28, 2014 at 2:29 AM
Oh, this was just a bit of whimsy. So glad you enjoyed it.
Yaseen Avatar
September 25, 2014 at 5:00 AM
poetry is art, creates images and thoughts in reader's mind and you mastered it.... an extraordinary write
Peterson Avatar
September 26, 2014 at 1:59 AM
Malik, thanks so much for stopping in to read this little bit of whimsy. So much fun to get worthwhile comments.
Virden Avatar
September 25, 2014 at 3:20 AM
I've not departed as fan nor friend. Life has simply sprung a leak and I'm wading to my knees. Your writing is truly near and dear to me. Hugs! This is fantastic! My apologies if it seemed I didn't care.
Peterson Avatar
September 26, 2014 at 2:00 AM
Nothing I like more than to have you stop by to read my poetry. I hope you're able to plug the leak soon and drain the swamp. Many thanks.
Onclaud Avatar
September 24, 2014 at 1:00 PM
ohh, a garden of fine verses... N/As are from others' point of view; you know you are really good, make.. nice to read you again.. huggs
Peterson Avatar
September 26, 2014 at 2:01 AM
Thanks for your loyalty—always stopping by to see if there's something new, and you always have something praiseworthy to add. Many, many thanks dear Nette.
A   Avatar
September 2, 2014 at 8:36 AM
Thanks for the nice reply once again. Linda
Peterson Avatar
September 26, 2014 at 2:03 AM
I'll get by soon to take another look. You are such a precious member of this group. My rhyme bone has a funny little ache these days, which makes for neither poetry nor reason.
Marcum Wong Avatar
September 1, 2014 at 9:56 PM
What a treat! Your poetry never ceases to amaze me. Your poem has left me knowing why I explore poetry. It is because of pieces like this! I am putting this into my fav's. If you got an N/A on an entry they clearly missed your message. I get them too. I am sure we all do. Cheers
Peterson Avatar
September 2, 2014 at 7:41 AM
Connie, what lovely words you have composed for me and what great honor you bestowed. Thank you so very much. I've been inactive of late but hope to re-engage soon.
Lindley Avatar
August 12, 2014 at 9:31 AM
You tend your garden SO VERY WELL. The weeds are all cut, the rows are straight but, green grass grows around the hut....
Peterson Avatar
August 14, 2014 at 9:26 AM
Thanks for visiting Robert. Yes, gardens need constant attention.
Sirak Avatar
August 9, 2014 at 8:09 AM
I am faving this one! Very creative and unique. English was always my favorite subject in school and I absolutely loved to diagram sentences. Your images of the absolutes of grammar rules running amok are wonderful.
Peterson Avatar
August 9, 2014 at 1:16 PM
Monterey, your comment is appreciated so very much. I find that diagramming sentences is one of the most valuable skills I ever acquired, thanks to a first-rate English teacher in junior high. Another English teacher in college finished the job with grammar, punctuation and logic. Thanks again.
Dietrich Avatar
July 25, 2014 at 7:32 PM
hey, YES, I really like this one, Mark. It's clever and enjoyable to read as well. I sure hate those N/A exits. URGGGG. GREAT writing, my friend.
Peterson Avatar
August 9, 2014 at 1:21 PM
Thanks my Utahan friend. Got a visitor coming from there at the end of the month. Anyway, always nice to hear from you although I doubt you see many N/A marks next to your entries.
A   Avatar
July 25, 2014 at 6:35 PM
Yes, you are a nice guy :) As a matter of fact, I freaked out when you stopped by my poems, yesterday or so.
Peterson Avatar
August 9, 2014 at 1:25 PM
Amazing, Linda. Honestly, I freak out when people show up and actually like my stuff. Anyway, thanks again.
A   Avatar
July 25, 2014 at 5:46 PM
Okay, thank you for the comment on my comment, that was mighty nice of ya... Linda
Peterson Avatar
July 25, 2014 at 6:32 PM
I'm such a nice guy.
A   Avatar
July 25, 2014 at 5:36 PM
A fine poetry garden, ramble from your pen. I hope this was not one of my contest, if it is it's on standby. Mark, I am not perfect, and have never graded on what was confused above. Thanks for expressing your words in such a way...Linda
Peterson Avatar
July 25, 2014 at 5:44 PM
Linda, I haven't entered this in any contest. It's quite often difficult for me to write on command, i.e., submit a poem that's original to the contest. Poetry usually comes to me unbidden, meaning I have to sit around and wait for who knows how long. Then I sometimes look and see if it fits with a contest and enter it. Anyway, thanks for stopping by.
Allison Avatar
July 25, 2014 at 10:28 AM
Extremely clever write Mark really enjoyed the humour here - comments are few and far between - so sad - I can comment on up to 50 writes and be lucky to get 7 responses - you get to know who will comment these days. Hugs Jan xxx
Allison Avatar
July 25, 2014 at 10:37 AM
:-) xxx
Peterson Avatar
July 25, 2014 at 10:36 AM
Thank you, precious Jan. I think I can help and so will stop by soon.
Bauer Avatar
July 25, 2014 at 8:39 AM
brilliant, clever and absolutely delightful! you deserve a prize for this one (or at least a lot more comments!!!).
Peterson Avatar
July 25, 2014 at 10:37 AM
Oh, Ilene, it's been far too long since my avatar shared the same page as yours. Wonderful comment, and I must visit you soon.
Gorelick Avatar
July 24, 2014 at 10:51 PM
This just made my evening...How adorable and clever. Love especially the last bit...through the exit called N/A.. going to my favs..BG
Peterson Avatar
July 25, 2014 at 11:11 AM
Oh, this delights me so. What an unexpected treat! Thanks so much, Barbara. I'll stop by your place later today.
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