after all,
sycamores shed leaves
in the fall,
standing tall
revealing its bare branches
awaiting first snow
gathering
large sycamore seeds
in autumn
is a pain
burying the grass alive
in prickly texture
frightening
stark ghost-like branches
sycamores
playing dead
all through the dreary winter
returning next spring
fully leaved
in big hand-like fronds
bringing shade,
sycamores
are spring and summer delights
squirrels love them, too
FINALIST
"Poem in the Style of E E Cummings" Poetry Contest
All Poetry, November 7, 2022
Written September 2, 2022
FRONT PAGE PICK
All Poetry
November 8, 2022
Categories:
finalist, seasons, tree,
Form: Shadorma
Joan Didion was an accomplished American writer
Wrote “The Year of Magical Thinking”, portrays a true fighter
Her first book -“Run, River”, her last -“Let me tell you what I mean"
Fiction, non-fiction, plays, screenplays, awards ~ much loved writing queen.
02.03.2022
(She was born on December 5, 1934 and passed away on December 23, 2021. In 2005, she won the National Book Award for Nonfiction and was a finalist for both the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Pulitzer Prize for "The Year of Magical Thinking". She later adapted the book into a play, which premiered on Broadway in 2007. In 2013, she was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Barack Obama. Didion was profiled in the Netflix documentary "The Center Will Not Hold", directed by her nephew Griffin Dunne, in 2017.)
For Michelle Faulkner's "A Celebrity Epitaph" contest
Categories:
finalist, celebrity, dedication,
Form: Epitaph
The song contests
I came across an apple tree it looked like
a child’s idea of this type of tree, big red
apples and a blue sky; when I realized I do not like
big red apples have farinaceous and taste
like they were dreaming of becoming potatoes
and not picked at by bird.
I joined my wife she was watching the final
Of a song contest, the finalist were two women.
One was buxom and belted out a song with full voice
the other one sang sweetly like opening the window
and letting a songbird and sunlight in.
The ample woman won, but we loved the sweet one.
Categories:
finalist, april, arabic, beach, ozymandias,
Form: Blank verse
Grayscale had been hearing about the cardinal nest queen
Since the day she was two, and now she was sweetly nineteen.
She is given warm cat nip, and gifted whatever she has ever dreamed.
Her relatives never see her again, but she is honored and esteemed.
There is a hush as the finalist contenders are brought to the palace.
Grayscale sees Pretty Fur, Sleeping Cat, and her cousin, Fluffy Alice
Pretty Fur has a good chance; she is a show off, and winking away.
Many a king has taken this wild cat to their lair, back in the day.
Lazy daisy Sleeping Cat cannot even keep her eyes open.
Maybe I can out-sway and out-play her, Grayscale is kind of hope’n.
The king takes his time and finally makes a decision. Writes it in a note.
Guard hands it to Grayscale there is a huge lump in her throat.
Grayscale is now known as the cardinal nest queen, as note said.
She sits daily with a cardinal nest tied to her throbbing bobbing head.
All she really wants to do is go home, and fall swiftly into bed.
This title is for life, my pretties; at least she is rather well-fed.
Categories:
finalist, bird, cat,
Form: Rhyme
Dar harbour full of teeming life
A mass of colourful ships and boats
Radiant do your waters gleam
Each wave gently lapping the shore
Sails fluttering in the breeze
Slowly yet violently the yachts jib
As they sail and tack against the wind
Loud blast out the ships horns
As the tugs pilot them to sea or dock
And the gulls screech diving in their wakes
Many colourful dhows sail in to moor
Hot breezes on my face
As midday temperatures soar
Raising our sails we float
Bringing our bows into the wind
Out to sea we are headed
Under full sail we skim the waves
Ready for what ever adventures await
written 03/11/2013
finalist in National Anthology of Poetry Competition of 2014
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SosiBqiUJTM video of beach
this clip shows the beach we lived near and also others of the harbour I talk of in this poem
Dhows are a native large boat with 3 square sails of highly coloured Material similar to Junk boats / ships
Categories:
finalist, africa, boat, sea,
Form: Acrostic
Me a poem about my Illness
I always needed someone’s help…
My mom was the one who I confided in and knew I could trust.
I never could do the ‘solo’ thang but that is changing.
I desire so much to become Independent in areas other than mind and thought; to be self-suffiicient by age 35.
Ah but cruel reality and the twists of Fate.
I have Schizophrenia a mental illness that affects my life it has to do with my brain.
I may become a so-called poet, I mean I am already a semi-finalist in a Poetry Contest right?
I am Creative but I sometimes wonder how successful will actually become at my goals and aspirations?
I credit where I am right now to the Lord, perseverance, my mom, loved ones, NAMI and my effort(tries).
Categories:
finalist, black african american, faith,
Form: Free verse
“The finest poetry
is the most feigning.”
—William Shakespeare
Smelling scent soothe my soul
Sits in sleek oven
Simmering Jack-O-Lantern
Smile so nicely
Saliva pours for
Sweet pumpkin
Pie!
~~~~~~~*******~~~~~~~
© Joseph, November 2, 2008
© All Rights Reserved
~~~~~~~*******~~~~~~~
Semi finalist contestant
292 out of 887 submissions
June 1, 2009 International Contest
~~~~~~~*******~~~~~~~
Joseph S. Spence, Sr., is the author of "The Awakened One Poetics" (2009), which is
published in seven different languages. He invented the Epulaeryu poetry form, which
focuses on succulent cuisines and drinks. He is published in various forums, including the
World Haiku Association; Poetinis Druskininku, Milwaukee Area College, Phoenix Magazine;
Möbius Poetry, and Taj Mahal Review to name a few. Joseph is a Goodwill Ambassador for
the state of Arkansas, USA, a college faculty, and a military veteran.
~~~~~~~***~~~~~~~
Categories:
finalist, food, funny, happiness, sea,
Form: Epulaeryu
Pottage of lentil and bread
Thank you Lord I’m fed
With wheat, barley and flour
Filled my cup this hour
Overflows with grace
Bless this taste
Yes!
~~~~~~~
Place among 273 Semi-Finalist
Total of 1034 Entries
Poetry Soup International Poetry Contest
March 6, 2008
~~~~~~~
Categories:
finalist, food, happiness, health, introspection,
Form: Epulaeryu
Gosh! What an elegant treat?
Knocked me off my feet
Eggnog on my lips so sweet
Tasty and luscious
Smooth – O’ so precious
So delish—
Hush!
© Joseph, 12/2/07
© All Rights Reserved
~~~~~~~
Place among 273 Semi-Finalist
Total of 1034 Entries
Poetry Soup International Poetry Contest
March 6, 2008
~~~~~~~
Best Epulaeryu
Honorable Mention
Cristmas Time Is Here - Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: John Heck
December 24, 2007
~~~~~~~
Categories:
finalist, food, happiness, holiday, imagination,
Form: Epulaeryu