Quintains For Claude Raines

I’ve never been to Sicily, and yet
it’s always felt a part of me.  Who knows?
Another life, another alphabet?
Alongside Archimedes, jotting prose
in Agrigentum I, with each vignette,

imbibing wine, as bitter as regret,
harangued the hellene farmers, stoning crows.
That Greek me – did I tend (as now) to get
frustrated when my verse was ‘on the nose’,
all too transparently in Homer’s debt?

But Italy’s a credible coquette,
more winning in her ways than we suppose.
Like Rhapsody in Blue’s smooth clarinet,
she captures us.  We victims, in love’s throes,
admire her steely claws, as black as jet.


Written  October 11, 2022
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

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Miller Avatar
October 31, 2022 at 1:32 AM
Beautifully written and such effortless rhymes, congratulations on your win
Coy Avatar
November 8, 2022 at 2:57 AM
Thank you, Terry. I'm very grateful to you. Michael
Fowler Avatar
October 30, 2022 at 12:01 PM
Your last stanza grabbed me Michael. The entire poem with the classics and classical moved me. Congratulations on your win! :)
Coy Avatar
October 30, 2022 at 12:24 PM
You are so kind! A huge thank you.
Logan Avatar
October 30, 2022 at 9:24 AM
Michael, your vocabulary and rhyming skills are to be commended. Congratulations on your winning write.
Coy Avatar
November 2, 2022 at 8:33 AM
I'm delighted that you liked it. Thank you, Jenna.
Hankins Avatar
October 30, 2022 at 8:49 AM
Exquisite rhymes and classical allusions are compelling in this winning poem in my Quintain (Sicilian) contest. Congratulations, Michael!
Coy Avatar
November 2, 2022 at 8:32 AM
I would like to offer my thanks and plaudits for such a challenging (and fun) competition.
Kendrick Avatar
October 12, 2022 at 7:39 AM
I enjoyed reading this one today. Very creative and the rhymes spectacular. Sara
Coy Avatar
October 12, 2022 at 3:25 PM
Sara, I'm very grateful to you for your generous words.
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