"Love, the Second Time Around"
Contest Prompt
years ago, lost my love _ now, found new love
he says . . . my love and my heart -
lips whisper ~ promises
in response to contest prompt: In 25 words or fewer describe how difficult it is to write a response/poem in 25 words or fewer.
…it’s like stuffing a circus into a teacup
Lost Connection
On the heels of his glance
a wave of his eyes holds her moon
her carriage of white horses drawn
under the black blouse of the night
a lonely hat curtains her stage
the yellow blossoms yearn for a home
two ships pass in the passion of the night
divided by fog and loss of serendipity
tall buildings and shops stand alone
the heart of the city is untouched
Connie Pachecho
10/21/25
Note a take on a past contest prompt. I read all of the entries, notes, and examples, and was fascinated.
Contest Prompt: "I'm okay, you're okay is a mask in the land of pretend."
Old Friends
"OK?"
"Yes fine" - I lie
over the cold phone line
wishing the plastic receiver
was warm,
like when you held my hand in yours.
Too many years and lies
between us now.
Divorced,
but love you still,
so I have to ask back
"You OK?" - and I hear you lie:
"Yes fine...."
The robicund dominates,
like the beauty of a red rose bush
planted amongst the wilds.
It is of a still life; a blush.
The Tatian tints are flames,
that might torch the evolution
of the Earth. Or the color
is of a ripened orange grove;
or a bowl of tangerines!
Green, be it Kelly, or olive,
or a simple deep light green,
are the mowed lawns of fancy yards;
or the blossom of the apples
in the flush of a late Summer;
the Autumn apples buoyed
in a barrel of tapwater.
We will know the color blue,
from when we first open our new-
born eyes: The shades of the Sky,
a Sea. A bruised dermis.
The yellows are a petal
of a Daisy, a Sunflower;
the softness of a Butter-
cup. A weed. Ambrosia.
June 19, 2021
Contest: Prompt "My Art, My Drawing"
"Within the fog the distant mountains strain
bruised in shades of lavender and forest green
each angle decomposing in the rain"
I wander across rugged steep terrain
pausing to see the ever changing scene
within the fog the distant mountains strain
Heavy storm clouds drift high across the plain
soon grass glistens with a silvery sheen
each angle decomposing in the rain
I’m cold and damp but I cannot complain
on brighter days a fine vista is seen,
within the fog the distant mountains strain
I hope these stunning landscapes will remain
though poor weather isn’t always foreseen
each angle decomposing in the rain
In time I will see bright blue skies again
of azure blue or pale aquamarine
Within the fog the distant mountains strain
each angle, decomposing in the rain
Choose Your Form Poetry Contest
Stanza 1 chosen which is in bold and was written by Joseph May as contest prompt
checked with rhymezone
Sponsored by Joseph May
05/04/21
Mirror, mirror from the wall to online
vanity declares, pick a piece of mine.
Respond, rewrite, re-integrate the theme;
This contest prompt is becoming a meme.
Culture shifts slowly; one stanza at a time.
Apprentices with reason and rhyme
compose on the edge of vulgar and crass
pieces that are cheeky and bold as brass.
Later as veterans they make their mark -
courtesy melts; poetry becomes stark.
Tragedy of Narcissiphus
The guy had enough letting go of the wicked stone
Held on for dear downhill life and tumbled to the
edge of a lake admired his image and reflected in vain
The picture had arrested in time no mirror image here
In memory encrusted he and the rock played separate
mind games so he embraced the situation’s gravity
and jumped into the water breathless but finally free
Written for contest: prompt 'mirror' in 70 words or less
Word count 70 words including title 17 May 2017
Adore the saviour who saves sinners
Confess all your sins truly to repent
Thank you Jesus for opening your way
So I can supplicant to your heavenly tent
Contest Prompt Pray Without Ceasing
(1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us how to pray.
Some people find it helpful to use the letters A-C-T-S to remember how to pray.
A stands for adoration. Tell God you adore and praise Him. Spend time worshiping Him.
C stands for confession. Confess your sins to God and ask Him to forgive you.
T stands for thanksgiving. Thank God for His Son, Jesus, and the blessings in your life.
S stands for supplication. Ask God to supply your needs and the needs of others.)
must it be for contest prompt to make you read my lines?
must I play up to the theme so that you'll take the time?
must I spend inordinate time to visit everyone?
must it be that what you read are poems that have won?
Won't you come and visit me, and read a rhyme or two?
Leave a little comment there and say, "How do you do?"
Won't you read these simple words for love of poetry?
Won't you come and spend some time with silly little me?
Eileen Manassian
Tunnel beyond the power of reason my belief,
I click the elements at work in unbridled faith;
By the road side the Goddess rests to bless each one
As they stop, lift their hands to throw a coin in joy.
Conviction binds me to stop without thought to pray;
Death or rebirth may she accept me as I bow.
Picture for prompt:-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaikgarg/3413520833/
I take the picture avoiding the temple.
Contest Prompt:-
"Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe."
- Voltaire
Looking for the formal definition, structure, and history of this poetry form? Visit the Poetry Dictionary entry below. Then return to explore how PoetrySoup members bring the form to life through their own poems.