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The Tempest

The Tempest Upon enchanted sands of shipbreached shores Dethroned beggar of a borrowed callow mystery Heaves a lightning staff into the waves - Thunderous and raw clandestine secrecy On luminous swirling ariels sheering the celestial – Into the curfew of castaway souls as a hoary appeal Where storm surges loot delirium in foreboding typhoons As rioting angels brood in their search For the orphaned heart in tattered rags of upheaval. Hear the muted tempest of dark depths roar As wintered tantrums rock the shores Leasing waves with unseen spells and charms, Harnessing the tidal astrals in purifying Tsunamis of holy risk – Storm watch night, for souls in cataclysmic squalls, Reshape the shallow shoals infected by deceit Refresh the tidal pools emptied by betrayal Now calm the ruffled gales -the shattered glassy sea, Return from shipwrecked isle to fury abandoned shores. 11/3/2020 Contest: 2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 6 Sponsor: Mark Toney Inspired by Shakespeare’s The Tempest

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Beryl Edmonds

Date: 6/22/2022 1:43:00 AM

The Tempest magnificently told through your free verse Sam, congratulations on the success you’ve had and truly deserved… Belle

Sam Kauffman
Date: 6/22/2022 10:31:00 AM

Many heartfelt thank you's Belle! After seeing a program on a few of Shakespeare's greatest soliloquies this poem just presented itself like a surprise gift! I have been utterly delighted by the response it has received. Once in a great while each us gets to write a poem like The Tempest. An honor, and a gift, in itself! Sending you blessings of calm waters and clear skies!

Regina Mcintosh

Date: 1/7/2021 5:15:00 AM

Love it. Congrats on your top win in the Free Verse of 2020 contest. God bless you my friend

John Watt

Date: 1/6/2021 3:02:00 PM

Throwing caps and mitts way up in the air in celebration of your #1 walk-off grand slam, Sam. Bravo! Epiphany blessings to you, dear friend ~ John

John Hamilton

Date: 1/5/2021 6:43:00 PM

What can I say that hasn't been said, I think this is one of your best yet Sam, congrats on another win!

Elaine George

Date: 12/29/2020 8:19:00 AM

A tapestry of such beauty created with such descriptive words. A masterpiece! Many congrats on your top-notch win Sam. ~ Elaine

Malabika Ray Choudhury

Date: 12/3/2020 7:47:00 AM

Congratulations, Sam, My Dear Friend. This is one of the most beautiful pieces I have read in a long time - delighted to see it on top of the list. Tempest is my favourite Shakesperean play, and your epic descriptive vocabulary is just incomparable. To my Faves. Love and best wishes ~ Mala

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 12/2/2020 2:05:00 PM

this is swimming with awesome desriptive writing!! Very well done, and well inspired by the Tempest. Congrats on a top spot

Sam Kauffman
Date: 12/12/2020 10:20:00 AM

Hi Andrea! Just stopping by with belated gratitude for your lovely message and congratulations! Thank you! The Tempest was an amazing source of inspiration guiding the creation of this piece. Blessings my friend!

Susan Ashley

Date: 12/2/2020 8:52:00 AM

Ah, Sam, another beautiful win there has been! I grin, as I re-read this gem of inspiring artistic spin! :)) Congratulations are chimed, my gifted friend of rhyme time, though there isn't a rhyme in your "Tempest" sublime, I opine its enchantment's divine! This rich and worthy masterwork deserves every accolade received, Sam, and then some! Your talent soars on the wings of your exceptional spirit and shining pen. Sending you a Santa's sleigh full of warmest wishes, love and hugs.. ~Susan

Sam Kauffman
Date: 12/7/2020 3:09:00 PM

Dear friend in rhyme I am so far behind in replies I will never get to Heaven's climes! Your lovely words make me grin and my head spins in grateful winds of heartfelt gratitude for your words and this win. The Tempest was an amazing inspiration - a place to begin. It's inspiration never thin! Sending you a wreath of blessings to pin upon the door of your loving and generous heart dear friend!

Newton Ranaweera

Date: 12/1/2020 4:23:00 PM

Congratulations, Sam, on your Top Win for this sapphire!!

John Watt

Date: 12/1/2020 11:48:00 AM

Another visit to this gem and another congratulations is due for your #1. A big rain delay for this tempest sweeping in! Hold onto your tickets folks, we're playing a double header tomorrow ~ John

Greg Gaul

Date: 12/1/2020 5:19:00 AM

You use epic language to give this familiar metaphor some new waves and wrinkles. I see the Shakespeare in you. Congratulations Sam on, once again, your top win. Well deserved.

Sam Kauffman
Date: 12/12/2020 9:53:00 AM

Thank you so much Greg! This poem was inspired by a PBS program with Mark Cohen reciting monologues from six Shakespeare plays. I am deeply honored to even being mentioned in the same breath as the Bard! Thank you! Grateful for your detailed messages they are so perceptive! All the best to you!

Anisha Dutta

Date: 12/1/2020 2:53:00 AM

BIG CONGRATS to win TOP.

Sam Kauffman
Date: 12/10/2020 12:35:00 PM

Thank you so much Anisha. I so appreciate your congratulatory message. Warmest wishes to you for calm seas and clear skies!

Gary Radice

Date: 12/1/2020 2:01:00 AM

"“Be not afeard; the poem is full of excellence." A great piece Sam that begs rereads. Congratulations on your win.

Sam Kauffman
Date: 12/12/2020 9:49:00 AM

I Gary! Can you tell how far behind I am in answering emails? Thank you so much for your message and your congratulations. It is so gratifying to know that this is something you want to reread - happy dance! Hope you are well and finding joy in this season!

Susan Ashley

Date: 11/24/2020 7:26:00 PM

Oh, my rhyme time friend, your glorious pen spills a storm sublime with imagery dark and divine "with unseen spells and charms" entwined. The lush metaphorical beauty of your "Tempest" sweeps me up into its magnificent whirlwind of potent artistry and luscious language. Every line a gem in this masterwork, Sam. I just love this! A fav! Congratulations on your excellent win in Craig's contest - quite the awesome feat!! Beauty flows from your beautiful mind, dear poetess. Warmest wishes and harvest hugs.. ~Susan

Beata Agustin

Date: 11/23/2020 12:29:00 AM

Wow! Congrats! Thanks for sharing your poetic talent.... This muse of yours moves me to thank and praise the Prince of peace, our Lord Jesus Christ, our steadfast refuge when gripped with fear during "storm surges loot delirium in foreboding typhoons." God bless you.

Sam Kauffman
Date: 12/12/2020 9:44:00 AM

Hi Beata! Many thanks for your wonderful message. I am grateful for your enduring support and faith filled words that lift me up reminding me of our Prince of Peace - our "steadfast refuge." Sending you many blessings!

L Milton Hankins

Date: 11/22/2020 9:39:00 AM

Congratulations on your win! A powerful piece of poetry with clear images, well-written.

Sam Kauffman
Date: 11/23/2020 2:55:00 PM

Hi again Milton! Craig's theme and the painting were a "hurricane" of inspiration along with watching Mark Cohen recite six soliloquies from Shakespeare plays. Thank you for your visit and gracious words. So appreciated! Harvest blessings to you.

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 11/22/2020 8:53:00 AM

Congratulations on your win. WOW!!! What a story/write. Your pen was working overtime on this one. Enjoy your wonderful win..................

Sam Kauffman
Date: 11/23/2020 2:57:00 PM

Thank you my friend! This one just about wrote itself. Occasionally that happens and it is such a blessing. Hope you are well. Take care. Sending you Thanksgiving blessings!

John Watt

Date: 11/20/2020 11:39:00 PM

Wow, winning top spot in a Craig Cornish contest is an admirable achievement, Sam! Such power and fury in your words depict so well the tempest's rage - " Where storm surges loot delirium in foreboding typhoons", "Storm watch night, for souls in cataclysmic squalls"... such excellent control of your descriptive pen, my friend. Simple stunning. Congrats on that gold medal! Now go get yourself a really strong umbrella...

Eve Roper

Date: 11/20/2020 9:38:00 PM

Congratulations on your win on a great written poem, Sam.

Sam Kauffman
Date: 11/21/2020 9:38:00 AM

Eve, thank you! Craig's theme for the contest, and the painting, really struck a chord with me. And, after watching Mark Cohen recite monologues from Shakespeare's plays the words just seemed to tumble out like the winds of a hurricane. Sending you blessings!

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 11/20/2020 9:24:00 PM

Love your inspiration and these lines: Heaves a lightning staff into the waves - Thunderous and raw clandestine secrecy. Congratulations on first place!

Sam Kauffman
Date: 11/21/2020 9:35:00 AM

Thank you so much Kim! Craig's contest theme was a journey. The entries to the contest were amazing. The theme and painting really brought to the surface the creativity and talent on the soup! This poem was inspired by a PBS program where Mark Cohen recited monologues from six plays - The Tempest being one of them. So happy to see your poem on the winners list! Harvest blessings to you!

Krish Radhakrishna

Date: 11/20/2020 1:55:00 PM

excellent work!! Amazing vocabulary!! Congrats on a well deserved top win!! I live 20 miles from Bard’s place and am regular to the RSC for his plays! Yes! Top work!

Sam Kauffman
Date: 11/21/2020 9:13:00 AM

Thank you Krish! How wonderful that you are so close to RSC and get to enjoy Shakespeare on a regular basis! Was watching on our PBS station Mark Cohen recite monologues from six plays - The Tempest being one of them. This poem was inspired by that program. Sending you blessings my friend.

Michelle Faulkner

Date: 11/7/2020 10:42:00 AM

This lives up to its inspiration in spectacular fashion, Sam! So majestically dark and commanding - I'm not familiar with this work of Shakespeare, maybe I'll check it out now~

Sam Kauffman
Date: 11/21/2020 9:08:00 AM

The Tempest is an amazing play - one of my favorites - filled with magic, romance and storm! Thank you so much Michelle for your gracious message. I am so grateful for all of your support and encouragement! All the best!

Gershon Wolf

Date: 11/5/2020 10:14:00 AM

Shakespeare's jealous, methinks... Perhaps you could give the Bard a brief vocabulary lesson in a spare moment... Lovely penned, Sam. :) gw

Sam Kauffman
Date: 11/6/2020 10:44:00 AM

Forsooth! Methinks it is an honor beyond comparison to even be mentioned in the same breath as England's magnificent bard! Last Sunday on PBS I watched Mark Cohen recite famous monologues from six Shakespeare plays - one being The Tempest - one of my favorites. That was the inspiration for this poem! Ah, thank you brave knight, and bard, for your visit and uplifting words.

Akkina Downing

Date: 11/4/2020 2:05:00 PM

This is awesome, Sam, I enjoyed it a lot...

Sam Kauffman
Date: 11/6/2020 10:34:00 AM

I am so happy you enjoyed Akkina! Nice to meet you! Thank you for your lovely words. All the best.

Lady Labyrinth

Date: 11/3/2020 6:11:00 PM

Next to Taming of the Shrew, The Tempest is my 2nd favourite. This poem of yours is "magic"...articulate, loved it all - especially loved the last four lines. Amazing what treasures can be salvaged from a shipwreck. x

Sam Kauffman
Date: 11/4/2020 10:59:00 AM

I too love The Tempest along with Taming of the Shrew, Twelfth Night and Much Ado About Nothing along with many others. Was watching a Mark Cohen special as he recited famous lines from six plays - The Tempest being one of them. That inspired this poem. Your words born from your immense talent inspire me. Thank you! All the best.!

Sam Kauffman
Date: 11/4/2020 10:29:00 AM

These memorable lines have become part of the fabric of our everyday life. I am so glad you added them to your message! These treasures are all about the great a-ha's of life.

Lady Labyrinth
Date: 11/3/2020 6:13:00 PM

"Our revels now are ended. These our actors, As I foretold you, were all spirits and Are melted into air, into thin air: And, like the baseless fabric of this vision, The cloud-capp’d towers, the gorgeous palaces, The solemn temples, the great globe itself, Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve And, like this insubstantial pageant faded, Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff As dreams are made on, and our little life Is rounded with a sleep.” / “This thing of darkness, I Acknowledge mine.”