I never think my thoughts deep thoughts --
though I'm no Peter Sellers, they are
but common trite reactions. l do not live
an examined philosophic life; nor have I
focused, fathomed understanding.
But -- there is, everywhere, wide-eyed blank confusion --
crowds that do not listen, do not hear, cannot ken --
that do not choose even NOT to grasp
what is shown, or read, said, or written.
While reveling in company that towers
oh! so high in intellectual singularity --
such myriad dazzling talents! -- alas! I
am only still another erstwhile
Chauncey Gardiner.
Envoi: Where are (perhaps in hiding?)
our popular current Feynmans -- Sagans --
Hawkings -- even Einsteins? Now I will --
I must ! -- ask: think YOU that ignorance
might NOT be bliss?
Categories:
envoi, 12th grade, confusion, culture,
Form: Free verse
[*Hendecasyllable: line of verse containing 11 syllables with stanzas with repeated end words and a five line envoi that concludes the ballade.]*
Look as… “a crimson sky breaks the distant shore”
Signaling I will see my fair home no more
the ship drifts into shadows far from yon shore
And soon the sky is dark night, crimson no more
The vastness of an indigo sky I'm sure,
will leave my soul lonely alite nevermore
The dusting of pinprick lights are ever sure
guiding all lost ones to find their way once more
Again, crimson sky breaks on a distant shore
A foreign land I have never seen before
But skies remain the same over every shore
Connecting souls across oceans of befores
Envoi:
As long as skies remain, with stars to proclaim
I am here at home, even though not the same
Now knowing, no matter where we are going
We do all see the same vast canvas of yore
Yes, the same crimson sky breaks the distant shore.
Categories:
envoi, boat, home, journey,
Form: Verse
I'm standing close by a river of rhyme,
where words cascade, in endless pantomime,
each line is a ripple, on the rugose water's crest,
but the chaotic current seems a randomized mess.
I see waves of words riding swells of sonnet,
into concrete verse, only to crash upon it.
There are dark plaintive whirlpools of elegy
and swirling haikus kissing off sharp envoi.
This river of rhyme could wash me away,
with its desperate currents of poetic dismay.
Its sensual verses can become a toxic wine,
oh, God, don’t let me drown in the river of rhyme.
Categories:
envoi, allegory, analogy, humor, metaphor,
Form: Rhyme
Within her sensitive heart, a storm brewed.
No one could see her inner agony,
Even when her mind to suffering glued.
Beneath the calm and serene appearance,
In her mind's cavern dwelt a silent grief,
And none could find in her a discordance.
She did not complain or show any guile.
Persevered not to make her pain outward.
Always faced the people with a sweet smile.
.
Instant joy and cheer she could ever feign.
Even in her life's most trying moments,
A calm equipoise, she tried to maintain.
She purposely put on this deception,
Not to make her ailing parents troubled,
While her heart was bleeding in dejection.
Such double life was so hard to endure.
How long she could do this, she was not sure.
May. 9.2023
Take a Chance on Chanso Poetry Contest
Sponsor- Kim Rodrigues
5 Verses and 1 envoi
10 syllables in each line.
Categories:
envoi, angst, pain,
Form: Rhyme
Love like this is once in a lifetime
More beautiful than the sweetest kiss
Whispering grace in nature’s soft rhyme
Love this strong is meant for hearts and souls
Sweetest kiss, gentle grace, His embrace
Raining over those His love controls
Love brought alive, kindness, stirring
His embrace, light – eternal beauty
His wonders alive and recurring
Love that breathes music through dazzling songs
Eternal beauty, rhythms vibrating
Singing through the winds, where bliss belongs
Love abides inside those who believe
Rhythms vibrating, inspiring strong faith
Growing close to Him will not deceive
Strong faith comes to life inside disciples
Who sincerely trust in their bibles
TAKE A CHANCE ON A CHANSO Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Kim Rodrigues
April 15, 2023
Chanso: 5 verses plus 1 envoi
9 syllable lines, tercet, lines 1& 3 rhyme in each verse
End word or words from line 2 of each verse,
begin first line of verse 2 in next stanza.
*near rhyme disciples/bibles
Categories:
envoi, bible, christian, faith, hope,
Form: Rhyme
I wonder where she’s going to,
This pretty maid in front of me;
And why it is she looks so blue,
Her sadness is so plain to see.
What lovely silhouette she makes,
Her face turned slightly to the side;
Now and again deep breaths she takes
And looks as though she’s teary-eyed.
She is an Angel in distress--
What pain she bears I want to know,
But I can’t ask her to confess
Though I don’t want her yet to go.
She lifts her hand to brush her hair;
Now I can see her features clear.
Her beauty shines amidst despair;
I sit agape and watch her near.
For one quick moment our eyes meet:
I don’t know where to turn my gaze.
I feel my heart does miss a beat,
And everything seems but a haze.
Today this scene still haunts my mind
Although it transpired years behind.
*Jeepney--traditional mode of transportation in the Philippines, with twin long seats, each accommodating 8-10 passengers facing each other.
April 12, 2023
Chanso: 5 verses + 1 envoi
8 syllables per line, quatrain, iambic tetrameter
Syllables checked with How Many Syllables
Rhyme checked with RhymeZone
Among 1st Place
Take a Chance on a Chanso Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Kim Rodrigues
Categories:
envoi, longing, love, memory,
Form: Rhyme
Rimas Dissolutas
Unrhymed stanzas
Rinse and repeat
Envoi garnish
Attractiveness eludes us
Tiny dancer
Awkward on her feet
Reputation tarnished
Pirouette complete
Beauty unvarnished
----------
A Rimas Dissolutas with 4-line stanzas and an envoi: abcd abcd cd
Categories:
envoi, beauty,
Form: Other
If pursuit gives me the joy
Why capture the butterfly?
Let it freely flutter by
Lovely until life’s envoi.
Categories:
envoi, beautiful, butterfly, flying, freedom,
Form: Rhyme
Sestina’s are skillful
Select a subject scene
Six lines per six stanza’s
Simple three lined envoi
Stressed and unstressed meter
Structure your sentences
Sequence strategic schemes
Categories:
envoi, poems,
Form: Pleiades
Vague words lead poets to heady heights far yonder
If we, like Wordsworth, seek a path to’ wander.’
But words there are whose power is less prolific,
Dwindling fast the more they are specific.
Sententious and meaningful are rhymes
Which great poets have utilized at times
as when a line whose somber end is ‘womb’
finds in the next one that ends with ‘tomb.’
Or when a line that sadly ends with ‘death’
Is cheered next line with ‘heaven’s living breath.’
Poetry, they claim, is vast and universal,
But entry to it so often meets reversal.
Screwdrivers ,it seems, have failed, to join the race
What cruel fate has offered them no grace?
‘Appetizer,’ ‘sliver’ and - oh yes- ‘scuba diver’
Bring little help the shunned screwdriver.
Can rhyming slang yet save the day?
Let’s ask a Cockney on the way.
“Sorry, mate, I don’t know neiver.”
Envoi
If there’s a will, then there’s a way,
An optimist will tend to say.
Is there answer? No chance ismissed,
If we give the ode just one more twist.
Categories:
envoi, poetry, silly, words,
Form: Light Verse
Today, strum music rifts!
Sound, alive, dance, enjoy!
Today feels happy, lifts
you're poems final envoi.
Shush, quiet, sound shift.
Quite clear, noted cants!
Heard... monks arise... chant!
Folks enjoy life's short
trips, learn, catch today,
stark facts ensue... abort...
you're final peace... delay!
Fears you'll often court!
Quite clear, noted cants!
Heard... monks arise... chant!
Peace stops hates' rants!
Truth, allow... makes peace.
Order hates... cease!
Quite clear, noted cants!
Heard... monks arise... chant!
PEACE
Categories:
envoi, peace,
Form: Rhyme
Six wives - three Catherines, two Annes and a Jane
were married to Henry in the course of his reign.
An Anne and a Catherine met their end by the axe.
Anne Boleyn was too haughty, Catherine Howard too lax.
Henry's very first wife was Catherine of Aragon,
both pious and faithful, a virtuous paragon.
Producing no sons, she incurred a divorce.
Anne of Cleves followed a similar course.
Her face was spotty; she had bad teeth and bad breath.
Don’t trust a portrait, the wise man saith..
Jane Seymore very sadly died as she gave birth.
Henry's last wife, Catherine Parr, was a woman of worth.
More a nurse than a playmate, she bathed Hal with affection
and did a good job to relieve his dejection.
Envoi
So that's the close of this ditty,
which I think is rather a pity.
No, I'm not the Poet Laureate,
as the Royal Court never saw to it.
If I were paid to do so,
I'd keep writing like Robinson Crusoe.
Categories:
envoi, history, humorous,
Form: Light Verse
RECIPE: “Poulet Roti” French Style - Ballade “Le Chant Royal” 11
STANZA X
Even as this Royal Lay comes to an end
Yet one more crime hatched on one more ruse and lie
Gets committed to drive this one round the bend:
“Bite the bait, harrowed be, before you die!”
Same message for more than half a century
The Kafkayesque trial that wastes energy:
Witnesses who’d gladly turn King’s evidence
Lawyers who’d hoodwink you and make no pretence
The migrant crowd trained to oust you out of bounds
To please authority Left or Right of fence
Independent de Gaulle men gone from home grounds.
ENVOI
“Freemasons Grand Orient kind take offence,
Want you kept down whatever your innocence:
At the highest level this decision stands!”
Said de Gaulle Police Chief in-charge of defence.
Independent de Gaulle men gone from home grounds.
(c) T. Wignesan - Paris, 2017
Categories:
envoi, anti bullying, child abuse,
Form: Ballade
RECIPE: “Poulet Roti” French Style - Ballade “Le Chant Royal” - 10
STANZA IX
Snubbed by Churchill, de Gaulle’s June 18th appeal
Saves not crushed Rouen, Paris to liberate
Triumphant Le Clerc hurries after ordeal
Did not Liberation make Resistants great
Nazi Chief’s deaf ear lets not Hitler burn Paris
Do the sacred cow Resistants scorn hubris
“Now e’en Presidents fear veteran Police!”
Ditto whole appareil judiciaire en lice!
Not till the last of veteran Combatants
Take Bastille Day’s Arc de Triomphe honoured place
Nor till Allied Forces be hailed true Conquérants?
ENVOI
Overnight the mother serves as plaything nice
For lawyers judges politicos police
All Free-Masons none resist as Resistants
No place for father and son in such premise
Nor till Allied Forces be hailed true Conquérants?
(c) T. Wignesan - Paris, 2017
Categories:
envoi, anti bullying, child abuse,
Form: Ballade
RECIPE: “Poulet Roti” French Style - Ballade “Le Chant Royal” 9
STANZA VIII
The French way is to damn you as litigant
Constant professional victim of the Law
Make you read law books be your own defendant
Rush about hang in queues write letters in awe
To lawyers judges ministers presidents
Cull evidence witnesses sealed documents
Which lawyers misplace refuse to cite in case
Desert you in court judges’ contempt to face
Appeal after appeal the single-parent
Must kneel to abuse looks threats to save one’s face
Ev’ry legal ruse used to make one relent
ENVOI
The mother well-entrenched in high police place
Tightens the screws turns the spit with cruel grace
Lets son stew in acrid juice with lone parent
While her wild secret antics rue her race
Ev’ry legal ruse used to make one relent
(c) T. Wignesan - Paris, 2017
Categories:
envoi, bullying, father son, french,
Form: Ballade
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