Judging poetry contests is as easy as comparing a hog to a car
Or a tub of lard to a gasoline engine and a movie star
Trying to be objective is not in the equation at all
comparing unlike things to each other is a likely fall
some are witty, others do not follow a single contest rule
I laugh at some, others are so well written they make me drool
Rght away I sort them into piles of two – one good, one not so much.
Cannot divulge my secret, but it would infuriate my Aunt Dutch
She likes everything to fit into a tidy little clean box up high
Judging poems against each other makes me roll an eye
How do you say this one is good, and that one is not
When none share a purpose, is that all you’ve got?
I used to moan and wail and torment myself with the result.
Now when I second guess my finalists, I yell “Halt!”
Just put the top three in a shake up order and try again.
The gold always rises to the top no matter what shape I’m in.
P olish up your best spoons everyone!
O ne taste and you'll ask for seconds
E xceptional quality in the finest dishes
T ry at least one item from the menu
R udeness is not tolerated
Y our empty bowl awaits to be filled...
S pecial soup for you, bon appetit!
O rganized restaurant, well-written recipes
U nited are we by one common interest:
P oetry. writing reading connecting.
Well written poetry should have a rhyme
Be pleasing to the eye and to the ear.
With words that then flow down the page in line
When read out loud the rhythm should be clear.
The subject matter must not be too hard
To work out what the writer's words convey.
A 'jumble sale' of words will just retard
The essence that the prose was mean't to say.
Therefore, before one settles down to write
Be mindful that the style you do select
When read, will bring the reader much delight
Because your choice of words to them connect.
We are the scribe when all is said and done
So let your rhythm be the perfect one.
With my thinking cap on
sometimes too tight
restricting thoughts
or words to write.
Inside my head
a jumbled mess
frustration reins
I must confess.
The words must rhyme
or maybe not
a stitch in time
solutions sought.
Paper drafts
lay everywhere
of idea's cast off
for which I did not care.
Much time is given
for words just right
a poem well written
is now in sight.
The stage is set
time to prepare
with words arranged
I now can share.
COME FILL ME AGAIN
Touching the heartstrings and well written
A melody so smooth and hardly energetic
For Annie, it was a song of love so poetic
By John Denver, who was clearly smitten
Amidst the snowy Rockies, in monochrome
A name change reflected his favourite state
Fame took a little time, coming not too late
As eventually country roads took him home
Inspiration came while in Aspen, Colorado
That song he became so anxious to record
D suspended fourth, that distinctive chord
Now in death, he is sadly incommunicado
The charm of a well written love poem
Can actually bring one to tears
Well chosen words conveying your feelings
Of love but also your fears
Fears that a loving romance will fade
And become so very routine
To keep love alive must remember each day
Show her how much her love means
Show her by all the small things that count
That prove she's a special lady
The one you've chosen to be with forever
No ifs, no ands, and no maybes
Amazing how they keep the fire burning
Small things that mean so much
Things that may seem unimportant to some
As simple as a gentle touch
Don't get me wrong, I'm surely no expert
When it comes to the secret to fidelity
But after many years of studying about love
These things are written indelibly
The charm of a well written love poem
Can actually bring one to tears
Chosen words that promise love forever
Through all of the coming years
The charm of a well written love poem
Can actually bring one to tears
Well chosen words conveying your feelings
Of love but also your fears
Fears that a loving romance will fade
And become so very routine
To keep love alive must remember each day
Show her how much her love means
Show her by all the small things that count
That prove she's a special lady
The one you've chosen to be with forever
No ifs, no ands, and no maybes
Amazing how they keep the fire burning
Small things that mean so much
Things that may seem unimportant to some
As simple as a gentle touch
Don't get me wrong, I'm surely no expert
When it comes to the secret to fidelity
But after many years of studying about love
These things are written indelibly
The charm of a well written love poem
Can actually bring one to tears
Chosen words that promise love forever
Through all of the coming years
In the realm of my heart, there resides Karen Cook,
A love that enchants, like a well-written book.
Her grace is a melody, a dance of pure bliss,
Her smile like the sun, warming every abyss.
A love story painted with hues of devotion,
Karen's presence alone sparks an endless emotion.
Within her, a spirit of strength and gentle grace,
A soul that embraces love's every embrace.
With her, I've galloped through life, hand in hand,
Our hearts entwined like a rider and a horse in the sand.
Together we've weathered storms, braved the unknown,
Karen, my compass, my rock, my own.
Her eyes, like diamonds, reflect a love so true,
A bond unbreakable, forever we'll pursue.
Through meadows and valleys, we've traversed with ease,
Karen, my muse, the wind beneath my dreams.
And when life's trials mount, like hurdles in our way,
She becomes my stallion, guiding us each day.
Through hurdles and fences, we leap side by side,
Karen, my love, with you I'll always ride.
So here's to Karen, my love and my muse,
The one who brings light when life's shadows confuse.
With you, my dear, I've found a love untamed,
A love like a horse, forever unchained.
The charm of a well written love poem
Can actually bring one to tears
Well chosen words conveying your feelings
Of love but also your fears
Fears that a loving romance will fade
And become so very routine
To keep love alive must remember each day
Show her how much her love means
Show her by all the small things that count
That prove she's a special lady
The one you've chosen to be with forever
No ifs, no ands, and no maybes
Amazing how they keep the fire burning
Small things that mean so much
Things that may seem unimportant to some
As simple as a gentle touch
Don't get me wrong, I'm surely no expert
When it comes to the secret to fidelity
But after many years of studying about love
These things are written indelibly
The charm of a well written love poem
Can actually bring one to tears
Chosen words that promise love forever
Through all of the coming years
I have written the ultimate love song
it was the braggadocio cad, Sir Edward
He thinks his words are golden laced with silver
Some of us yawn, I may have giggled
He plays his song for us, which is no surprise.
It is amazingly tender, romantic and well-written.
You did not write that! Accuses his sister.
Sibling rivalry is in full swing, so we scatter.
I am not my skin nor what I wear,
I am much more than what meets the eye,
I am the love that I give and share,
I am the laughter that springs up high.
I am not defined by my looks,
For beauty lies in the heart and soul,
I am the words in well-written books,
And the story that makes people whole.
I am the light that shines from within,
Not the darkness that tries to consume,
I am the hope that lingers within,
And the courage that never assumes.
I am not my race or background,
For my spirit knows no bounds,
I am the strength that I have found,
And the resilience that propounds.
So do not judge me by my exterior,
For there's more to me than what you see,
I am not my skin nor what I wear,
I am all that I choose to be.
A well written poem
about nothing much at all
says itself
Critics lean forward
ready to pounce
The muse stands forth
the muse pronounced
Someone was clowning around
someone heckled
someone got bounced
the dissenting
were openly venting
After the word-play
a well-written poem
was framed and hung
and not in a good way
Some of our finest literary writing
Is found in rebuttal and debate
Especially when it is logical, reasoned,
Well-written, or cogently spoken
Like writings of Madison and Paine
And speeches of Lincoln and Douglas
Too often, these days, anger prevails
Striking as if with a sharp cutlass
What, I wonder, is to be the gain?
Taking a position for a token …
To gain notice for a season …
I have especially noticed of late
That debate seems more like fighting.
written January 20, 2022
[poem is composed using my reverse
rhyme scheme abcdef/g/fedcba
This sticks to my core, hitting all the good parts in me linking my soul with yours for eternity
This core never moves from its theme with an unpredictable character of drama and edge like fresh flowers
This is neither drama nor romance but a talent quite weak to extricate of my innocence, giving me both suspense and an element of surprise
In the center of our universe we dived in wholeheartedly deepening our touches equalizing infinity and love for death can never divide us nor rob us of moments
This is a love story not focused yet well written as a lit fire igniting flames in places of a lifetime
This is eyes gazing into passion. A world colliding going out of the way to please the gods before we
This world is no closed chapters of hurt, laughter and pain but a place where compromise stand hand in hand with patience
Poet
Masego Nkuna
She laughs, smile and carry herself boldly
She is shambles, shame even though she is hollow and like sorrow what she learnt was to mask
She masked uncertainty till she made peace
She masked sadness till she became fine
She learnt how to keep a straight face while she was filled with tears from her heart
She laughs, smile and carry herself boldly
She is tears even though she forgets how to cry and most of the time she wants to die
She is the skinny part of perfection and mirrors lies to try make herself worth it
She goes to bed empty and wakes up with scars not showing her slices of skin
She laughs, smile and carry herself boldly
She plays parts so well making everyone think she is strong even though she is wrong
She wears herself masks from the pains of her past and smile like a well written story
Poet
Masego Nkuna
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