NEW CONTEST: The Inauguration Poem We Should've Had

[poetinahat]

There's been good discussion (http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=128202) about the poem read at President Obama's inauguration last week - and much (but not all) of the response was negative.

The question we'd like to pose to you is: If you'd been asked, how would you have responded?

Here's your challenge: Write your own Inaugural Poem. Assume it's in the current context -- you would have been invited to read it at Obama's inauguration. Therefore, the poem should be appropriate for the event (which can mean whatever you deem it to mean).

I'm still mulling the first prize; there will be at least one poetry book or recording as a prize. I'm going to shop around; I assure you that the prize will be one the winner will enjoy. (If there are more prizes, some will be assigned to minor placewinners.)

Each AW member can submit one entry, which must be his or her own work.

The only constraint on form is that the poem should be within three hundred words or fifty lines.

Post your entries to me via PM, by Sunday, February 15. The entries will be posted by Monday, February 16.

Voting will open on Tuesday, February 17 and close on Sunday, March 1.

I'll announce the voting rules when voting opens.

Please feel free to PM me with questions, or to discuss the contest here.

I hope you all enjoy the idea; we look forward to a fun contest and an active discussion!

[KTC]

This is an awesome idea.

[Stew21]

I think this is going to be a great contest, Rob. Excellent idea.

[Sarita]

Very cool idea!

[Don Allen]

Why this is such a good idea, and I don't mind saying this, I don't have a clue as to what the lady said who wrote the poem, and as much as I love to decipher metaphors, I thought it lacked, alot.... We'll show them....Great idea...

[ddgryphon]

This is exciting!

[Feiss]

Oooooooo

[dclary]

i like this a lot. should be fun. a chance to be upbeat and positive about america.

[poetinahat]

YES - we have our first entry.

I'm excited about this contest; I think it's going to draw some wonderful entries.

[Feiss]

I want to enter, but I think the challenge for me will be to go from internal, personal poems to broad sweeping poems. Fei =/ epic

[Sarita]

I want to enter, but I think the challenge for me will be to go from internal, personal poems to broad sweeping poems. Fei =/ epic
Ditto for Sara

[dclary]

I want to enter, but I think the challenge for me will be to go from internal, personal poems to broad sweeping poems. Fei =/ epic

Then write an internal, personal poem. Just... make it universal in scope.

[Feiss]

Then write an internal, personal poem. Just... make it universal in scope.


Wow!! As simple as all that?

*mops up sarcasm

hee hee

[KTC]

I'm going to write about the....oops. No clues. But I'm definitely including the...

[Feiss]

I'm going to write about the....oops. No clues. But I'm definitely including the...

I'm going to write about the cardinals, how cardinals are red, like my heart, and my love, for Obammmaaaaa

j/k no I'm not, yes I am, no.

You don't know, do you? I'm quick, like a ninja, like a blue jay.

[KTC]

cardinals were in the trees
at the mall
that day.
were they not?
and hanging, also,
from their ancient windows.
but not the red ones,
the women...
heckling and dancing
but not red.

[Feiss]

cardinals were in the trees
at the mall
that day.
were they not?
and hanging, also,
from their ancient windows.
but not the red ones,
the women...
heckling and dancing
but not red.

The blue jays
crass and noisy
pecked at the roof
of the sky
till clouds split
and the shattering
the tinkling of rain glass
grounded them
wet them
and shamed them
each to each to silence.



we need a poem about white birds, then it'll be the united states of aviarica

[Molfitz]

Hey, if that's all we are unhappy about--the inaug. poem--then all is right with the world. But I too had funny feelings about the poem and poet. My eyes rolled back or something. O.k., I've had a poem budding in my head ever since and will enter this, my first, poetry contest.

[kdnxdr]

How fun, fun, fun!

Thanks PNHT!

kid

[aopoet04]

This is a brilliant idea... that poem left the entire speech seeming a little bit off. I had taken the day off to watch it, and I was definitely not happy when that poem came up. I only hope I can come up with something, myself ^^'

[poetinahat]

Hey, if that's all we are unhappy about--the inaug. poem--then all is right with the world.
Well put. The fact that a poem is part of the inauguration ceremony is a pretty fine thing in itself.

[poetinahat]

I only hope I can come up with something, myself ^^'
Me too, AO... me too.

[dclary]

cardinals were in the trees
at the mall
that day.
were they not?
and hanging, also,
from their ancient windows.
but not the red ones,
the women...
heckling and dancing
but not red.

Are you daft, man? The Cardinals are in Tampa Bay, preparing for the Super Bowl!

[KTC]

The blue jays
crass and noisy
pecked at the roof
of the sky
till clouds split
and the shattering
the tinkling of rain glass
grounded them
wet them
and shamed them
each to each to silence.



we need a poem about white birds, then it'll be the united states of aviarica

White birds
enjoy Selassie
the black birds,
they kiss to be kind,
employ Selassie...
the birds of silver
shaft the sun
and burst to land
on hot tarmac steaming,
Selassie sings
Iron, Lion, Zion.
White birds print the sky,
remember the remember,
only Lincoln sits
to admire it all,
menagerie sky.

[poetinahat]

Two entries already!

[Don Allen]

My take on this poem contest is that we don't have to beat each other, all we have to do is beat whatever that was on Jan 20th. I think we all have a great shot,

[John Paton]

Does it have to rhyme ? Cos if it does -

lemme see now ....


de rigueur

go figure

it's bigger

with vigour

the digger

Yeah I can do this - enough there for me in there as well.

[poetinahat]

Three entries!

[dclary]

If we stop right now, I have a good shot at showing in 3rd place.

[Dichroic]

I want to enter, but I think the challenge for me will be to go from internal, personal poems to broad sweeping poems. Fei =/ epic


So? Obama woke up that morning, brushed his teeth, showered, maybe cut his toenails, put on his socks ... all the same stuff we all did that day, only then he went off to become President of the US and a symbol for a lot of people worldwide. You can always start with the specifics and then let us fill in the epic - you do that all the time and do it well.

[KTC]

i lost my groove

[kdnxdr]

I really can't imagine a grooveless KTC.

[dclary]

He's gone from album to CD.

[KTC]

vinyl-less. It's Armageddon.

[kdnxdr]

I would not want to be wearing vinyl at Armageddon. Ouch!

[KTC]

Three entries! Is that all? There was much rebuke for the one that was read on inauguration day. Where are all the AW alternatives???

GET WRITING, POETS!

[KTC]

If we stop right now, I have a good shot at showing in 3rd place.

Have courage and faith, good man. You chide yourself needlessly.

[Dichroic]

Three entries as of Jan 28. Is it still only at 3?

[KTC]

This is true. Update?

[Lord Terpsichorean]

Oath of Ancestors

They were there,
when grains of sand
became pyramids
shadowing the earth.

Their tears filled blue oceans,
as those overboard
swam to memories of home
from middle passages.

With blades of
hope, they cut down
“Strange Fruit,”
and saved their seeds.

From limestone steps
facing multitudes,
they mouthed
“I have A Dream.”

But from the Portico
built by shackled hands,
they will say "I do solemnly swear . . .
to ... defend . . . ,"
this next step of the journey,
miles before the end.



YVNIII 1/19/09

[KTC]

but now you can't enter that?!

[KTC]

Who among you fell victim to my bullying and entered a poem today? Eh? Eh? Eh? Who!?

[dclary]

Your New Zealand flag there (where the hell is Old Zealand, btw?) is scaring us americans who think that Anzac is a chemical poison.

[dclary]

Wait, that has too many stars to be new zealand... unless you guys like, annexed tasmania while I wasn't looking.

[dclary]

Too few stars to be Cook Island.

[dclary]

It's not turquoise, so it's not Tuvalu.

[dclary]

Dang, I just don't know.

[dclary]

Guess I'll just walkabout a bit, then ask hattedpoet. He might know.

[Stew21]

Austrailia, Dave. Austrailia.


Walkabout, indeed. Dork.

[dclary]

I felt embarrassed that I'd not considered the aussies in my initial list of possibilities lol.

[KTC]

Don't you hate it when people you know will one day go crazy actually do go crazy and you're not there to enjoy it!?

[Feiss]

UUURRK

[KTC]

one too many U, Feiss. That wasn't very sincere.

[Feiss]

ever realized someone was insane all along, but you just never saw it?

[KTC]

ever realized someone was insane all along, but you just never saw it?


Going through life with blinders on, it's tough to see.
I had to get up, get out from under and look for me.

[Feiss]

picked up my head, put it back on backwards
stole your hair, long locks locked slanted words.

[KTC]

okay. you need medicine. write your inauguration poem and call me in the morning.

[Feiss]

okay. you need medicine. write your inauguration poem and call me in the morning.

I need to get to a less twisted mindset. If I wrote it now, it'd be all demented, like the United States of GOLGOTHA...or something.

[KTC]

But I am the Word Doctor. I do not take no for an answer. Writing the poem is your prescription. It is your cure. It is the thing that will set you free.

[Feiss]

But I am the Word Doctor. I do not take no for an answer. Writing the poem is your prescription. It is your cure. It is the thing that will set you free.

You do NOT want to set my current mindset free, dear dr. KTC.

[poetinahat]

Praise song for poetical hijinks.

[KTC]

wash it down with water

[KTC]

Praise song for poetical hijinks.

that sounds like an 80s album title.

[P.H.Delarran]

wash it down with water
got a lump in yer throat?

[KTC]

Ave, Maria.

[kdnxdr]

:e2file:

[KTC]

:e2file:

I know you're filing your nails to demonstrate that you have already written and submitted your inaugural poem.

[poetinahat]

that sounds like an 80s album title.
Is there a higher compliment? I don't think so.

[KTC]

hehe.


I wonder how many entries there are. I wonder?

[poetinahat]

I'm so glad you asked, Kevin.

So far, eleven 20-Jan dandies.

Mine's, well, it's in progress.

[KTC]

eleven 20-Jan dandies. Does that mean 11?

I'm nothing if not persistent.


Kevin, already in his castle.

[Feiss]

eleven 20-Jan dandies. Does that mean 11?

I'm nothing if not persistent.


Kevin, already in his castle.

I'm writing it i'm writing it. I'm trying to keep a tight leash on the maudlin though.

[dclary]

I'm so glad you asked, Kevin.

So far, eleven 20-Jan dandies.

Mine's, well, it's in progress.

I am now assured of no worse than a top 11 performance.

[Feiss]

Just sent.

I feel the ending is weak.
a barbituate I will seek
to calm my flurried mind
gnaw melon of its worried rind

[KTC]

a barbiturate will soothe
but the moss in your throat
how it will sleep you in
and pull you under.
best to wash it down
with water,
less maudlin,
more like Maude.

[Dichroic]

I'm writing it i'm writing it. I'm trying to keep a tight leash on the maudlin though.

Sometimes maudlin is the way to go. Mostly I think it's irresponsible to write words that really incite people by playing on their emotions unless you're really sure this is the proper time. (Because otherwise you end up with empty demogoguery, like crazy political talk-show hosts.) But an inauguration is definitely the proper time.

[Feiss]

Sometimes maudlin is the way to go. Mostly I think it's irresponsible to write words that really incite people by playing on their emotions unless you're really sure this is the proper time. (Because otherwise you end up with empty demogoguery, like crazy political talk-show hosts.) But an inauguration is definitely the proper time.

Then I might be in luck, cause I feel this one was as maudlin as shit (really maudlin shit, the kind of poo that makes you weep (not) (this is a lot of text in parantheticals))

[Dichroic]

(i must be contagious)

[KTC]

Then I might be in luck, cause I feel this one was as maudlin as shit (really maudlin shit, the kind of poo that makes you weep (not) (this is a lot of text in parantheticals))

That what you get for writing a poem when you have a gun aimed at your temple. You caved to pressure, silly. (-;

[Feiss]

That what you get for writing a poem when you have a gun aimed at your temple. You caved to pressure, silly. (-;


Uh...you, you, you, gun aimer then pretend you didn't aim a gunner!!!

[dclary]

For christ's sake, you two, get a friggin room! You're leaving foreplay residue all over half the threads in this forum.

[KTC]

I curse you.

Pox you!

[dclary]

Gahh!!!! Gah!!!! My arms!!!! My face!!!!!!!!! Ayiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!




or, as e.e. cumming would have written, if he were so poxed.


-------g
--ah---(my)
!----------------------a
----g-----a-----h------r
!!-------fcea-----------m
ga--------------(arms)--s
--h!-----m
----------y-
-----------gah!

[KTC]

your brilliance is eclipsed only by your gahs.

[dclary]

I am the wizard of gahs.

[Feiss]

Gahh!!!! Gah!!!! My arms!!!! My face!!!!!!!!! Ayiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!




or, as e.e. cumming would have written, if he were so poxed.


-------g
--ah---(my)
!----------------------a
----g-----a-----h------r
!!-------fcea-----------m
ga--------------(arms)--s
--h!-----m
----------y-
-----------gah!

that is...amazing, my mind is blown

[Feiss]

For christ's sake, you two, get a friggin room! You're leaving foreplay residue all over half the threads in this forum.

look, a little platonic foreplay over the internets does not leave residue, it only leaves brilliance and happiness like care bears.

[dclary]

Which my grumpiness gene can detect. It shines like slug-slime-trail to my decrepit crotchety eyes.

Hey. Read my new poem! Critique! comment! Something!

Over in critique!

^_^

[KTC]

care bears.

[Feiss]

Which my grumpiness gene can detect. It shines like slug-slime-trail to my decrepit crotchety eyes.

Hey. Read my new poem! Critique! comment! Something!

Over in critique!

^_^

Because you teased me, I'm going to make you sweat, have I read it? Haven't I? You'll never know. MUAHAHAHAHA.

[Feiss]

There once was a man named DClary
his toes were oh so hairy

[KTC]

There once was a man named DClary
his toes were oh so hairy


he fell on his head
and though not quite dead,
he is dizzy and needs to be carried.

[Feiss]

Deek is a man who likes to mock
those who would give him the block
he tends to toot
and be a real poot
but we don't care cause he's got a big



heart

[dclary]

^_^

[dclary]

(note to self, change password on webcam)

[KTC]

clARY is awfee airy,
he's blissfully unaware
of the wind he passes,
this, of course,
is down to his flatulence glasses.

[dclary]

due to?

[KTC]

down to

[dclary]

huh.

[KTC]

uh

[Feiss]

what a facking riveting convo!

[KTC]

eh

[dclary]

meh

[KTC]

pffft

[dclary]

now you're just being stubborn.

[Dichroic]

Ahem. There are POEMS not being CRITIQUED here. ....... oh, never mind.

[Feiss]

wakka wakka

[KTC]

wuie

[Feiss]

what is that, a whale song?

[KTC]

ficka ficka fah.

[KTC]

This thread is an appalling trainwreck. We should be banished.

How many of you have entered poems? How many of you are planning to enter poems before the deadline?

[Feiss]

noble attempt at re-railing Kevin. I have entered, as I said above, but you were probably making whale noises

[KTC]

Yes, well. A train is a heavy thing to lift. Once it is off its rails, it takes a hulk to put it back on.

I don't care about placing. BUT I can't wait to read the entries!

[dclary]

We should be banished.


Been there. Done that. /yawn

[dclary]

ONE DAY LEFT!!!!

PANIC IN THE STREETS!

[P.H.Delarran]

wait, isn't the deadline the 15th? two days, right?

[Feiss]

Deek lives in a special place where it's valentine's day every day.

[dclary]

^_^

Sorry about that premature evocation.

[P.H.Delarran]

it's Friday the 13th, not April Fool's day. get it right
:tongue

[KTC]

yeah.

[Feiss]

Isn't today the day the banks are supposed to end?

[KTC]

yeah. but i think the contest will proceed without the banks. i think.

[Feiss]

How is Poet (moneybags) inahat going to withdraw the thirty thousand dollar grand prize?

[KTC]

it's in his mattress.

[dclary]

Well, it was... bushfire. :(

[Feiss]

wow...that's a downer

[KTC]

You're late! You're late!

Or are you?!


DEADLINE ALERT! DEADLINE ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[poetinahat]

"My Biological Clock is TICKing!" (stomp stomp stomp)
-- Marisa Tomei, "My Cousin Vinny"

Yeah - The Deadline Is Here!

I'll give a little leeway, so don't stress about a few minutes. But it's been a couple weeks already, so please don't stretch it out too much! (I'm talking maybe 24 hours, not a few days, just to give some context.)

[Dichroic]

I'll give a little leeway, so don't stress about a few minutes. But it's been a couple weeks already, so please don't stretch it out too much! (I'm talking maybe 24 hours, not a few days, just to give some context.)

No fair! That means the rest of us have to wait even *longer* to read the poems! (I get particularly impatient because of timezone - where I am it's Monday afternoon already.)

[KTC]

NO LEEWAY. NO LEEWAY.

If they were going to submit, they would have by now.

I want to read!

[Don Allen]

MAN!!!!!! I got my coffee out, got the pillow under my sore ass (snowboard accident) and was already to see the folks at AW put a bowl full of ass whooping on that goofy third grade poem.....ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[KTC]

I was all ready to read today too! It's Family Day here in Canada. I have the day off and everything...just waiting to read a slew of Inaugural Poetry. )-:

[Feiss]

My heart breaks for you Kevin, In consolation, here is a poem for you:

Roses are red
egg shells are white
violets are blue

I have listed
colors of the tight-
assed flag

of the united states
and also two thirds
of the canadian

ONE

nation
undergod
indivisible
withlibertyandjustice

frall

banner

[KTC]

on a Sudbury Saturday night.

[Dichroic]

Uh-huh. So okay, AW forums were down part of yesterday, but now I'm istting here on Feb 17with no Inauuration poems to read!! Rob, if we all bat our eyelashes and look pitiful would it help?:rolleyes:

[poetinahat]

It would, perhaps... if you bat them at my manager. It's a workday!

Be back on tonight!

[dclary]

When is "tonight" in australian time? Because it's "tomorrow" in american time

AND STILL NO ENTRIES!!!

:rant:

[rhymegirl]

When is "tonight" in australian time? Because it's "tomorrow" in american time

AND STILL NO ENTRIES!!!

:rant:

I was wondering what time that would be, too.

Right now it's about 5:30 am on Wednesday over in Australia. So it won't be night time for about 13 or 14 hours.

Unless he means night time for us. That would be in about 5 hours.

[P.H.Delarran]

I think he means he's doing his (paid) day job right now.
I'm just thankful he works for us so cheaply. (that can't be proper grammar)
not that you're cheap Rob. or that the job is easy. or that you are.
I'd better go now...

[dclary]

Yes... but he said that over 18 hours ago (in australian OR american hours), and I'm pretty sure he hasn't been at work that whole time...

[KTC]

Poor poor Rob.

[rhymegirl]

Yes... but he said that over 18 hours ago (in australian OR american hours), and I'm pretty sure he hasn't been at work that whole time...

Well, maybe he made a boo-boo in his post.

I'm looking forward to reading the poems.

[Don Allen]

I think Rob made the whole thing up took our poems and is currently selling them at his local pub for two bits a piece laughing his ass off....

[rhymegirl]

I think Rob made the whole thing up took our poems and is currently selling them at his local pub for two bits a piece laughing his ass off....

Who told?

[poetinahat]

My wife was using the computer for work last night; I couldn't very well kick her off. Will get the entries up as soon as I can; it won't be that long, and I'm glad you're all so eager to read them.

[Don Allen]

ahhhhhh,,, the ol' "wife using computer for work story" un huh, very interesting...


we believe you.....

[Ol' Fashioned Girl]

Next it'll be 'the dog ate the entries!'!

[poetinahat]

Hmmm. I'm getting a lot of flak from some folks who didn't even get around to entering the contest! I shall now read my own Ode to Pots and Kettles....

[Ol' Fashioned Girl]

Now you KNOW I'm no poet, Li'l Brother. The worst of the worst poems ever written is still better than anything I could cobble together.

[kdnxdr]

Isn't it exciting to see all the little eager faces waiting for you to open a thread with the entries!

I'm checking about every 30 minutes..........

love ya, kiss, kiss, kiss

[KTC]

I have a lovely flak jacket in your colour. I'm sending it FedEx ASAP!

[Don Allen]

Are we there yet!!!!!!!!

[KTC]

There is such a hypothetical town. Let's not go there, shall we.

[KTC]

Here I sit broken hearted, paid my dime and only...

[poetinahat]

They're here! (http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=131800)

Poets: PLEASE have a look and make sure that your poem appears as it's meant to. The sooner, the better.

There's a twenty-four-hour moratorium on voting; try to let me know of any corrections before it expires. Thanks!

[KTC]

YAY! Thanks much, fine poet in that fine hat!

[KTC]

15. That's a good showing. I'm printing them off right now.

[Dichroic]

Too bad we can't go back and make retroactive suggestions to Obama. There are a few poems in the list that I like a lot as inauguration poems; there's one I wish I could vote for not as a poem, but because it would make such an excellent inaugural speech.

[poetinahat]

15. That's a good showing. I'm printing them off right now.
Hang on, Kevin! Just made a fix to the formatting in #6.

[KTC]

lol...interesting, Di. I can't wait until it's over so you can share with us which one you see as a speech.


I see there is again no moratorium on voting for your own poem. Yech. Oh well.

[KTC]

Hang on, Kevin! Just made a fix to the formatting in #6.

Poopies. I have the paper in my hands. hehe. Don't worry...I will read on screen when I actually go to vote. I'm just going to digest them today. NO--I'm not planning on eating the paper.

[poetinahat]

I see there is again no moratorium on voting for your own poem. Yech. Oh well.


That's democracy for you, Kevin! (Preference noted -- maybe we can try it next time...)

It's also one reason why I ask for votes on the top three. Makes the preferences more meaningful, I think. Not just because it would be boring if every poem got one vote (from the respective poet), but it means we don't have to go with only one. I'm hoping everyone will be able to find three voteworthy poems.

[poetinahat]

Heh... I just thought of something.

Maybe the winner should have to write an acceptance poem.

[KTC]

Heh... I just thought of something.

Maybe the winner should have to write an acceptance poem.

lol. That's a groovy idea.

[Ol' Fashioned Girl]

Outstanding! Every single poet deserves applause. Any one of these is better than the one we had on Inauguration Day.

I believe you're very wise, PIAH, to make us wait 24 hours to do our voting. I've chosen my favorite three, but need to cogitate on them before I decide which is 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.

[Don Allen]

Anyone who has read the vitriol I usually post on these boards know that I'm not easily impressed, but wow I got to say YES WE CAN beat the panties off that lousy excuse of a poem read on Jan 20th, wow some outstanding entries, and honestly a tough tough pick...Outstanding suggestion poet.

[Don Allen]

I have a question, are we not suppose to discuss or comment on any of the poems before the end of the contest in March, or can we discuss without acknowledging the authors, or just shut T.F.Up until later, please let me know......

[poetinahat]

Good question, Don - discussion is very much all right, and it's encouraged. Just as long as it's not campaigning or sandbagging the poems that aren't yours - or conjecturing on who wrote which poems. Anything that might bend the voting, that sort of thing.

Oh, yeah - I have to come up with the prizes. There will be at least a first prize, a poetry-related book or CD. If I can conjure more than that, then I will.

[Molfitz]

Thank you, Poetinahat, for putting this contest together. It can't be easy with a day job!

Voting begins in 24 hours. When does the voting end? And when will the results be posted. (approximately, of course)

Thanks,
and Good Luck Poets.

[KTC]

Okay. The way I see it so far.

-one of them is way in the #1 spot. it will remain there.
-one of them is actually too much like a speech for my liking.
-a couple had too many grammar problems for me to drop down into that place where I could appreciate the content.
-one was in the running but 1 word made me change my mind.

I honestly did like them all. I had to find things in the ones I eliminated. You can only vote for 3. I have found my three through the process of elimination--have not yet decided the order of #2 and #3. There were 5 in the running. I narrowed it down. I will be voting when the moratorium is over.

Well done, all.

[Feiss]

I just read them. They're beautiful! They're like speeches that generals make before riding off into war and glory.

[Dichroic]

Not so hard a choice for me, this time. I like my own a lot, but I'm going to ignore it for the voting. (Life is much easier when I don't have to compare it to each of my other top three! I'd hate to have to decide my own ranked fourth.) That said, there are about five I can actually imagine being read at an actual inauguration, and three of those for me stand clearly above the others. I don't even think I'll have too much trouble with the ranking, though I will think more about that. What will be really interesting is to see how others opinions match mine.

Also, I think it's much harder to guess the writers this time around than in the Holiday Poem contest. There's really only one I'd be willing to guess (I mean, other than mine), and that guess is based on a single signature factor that could well have been used by another poet this time.

[dclary]

that guess is based on a single signature factor that could well have been used by another poet this time.

someone mentioned bo diddley, cigarettes, wine and women?

[KTC]

hahaha

[Dichroic]

someone mentioned bo diddley, cigarettes, wine and women?

No! That's what makes it hard!!:e2faint:

[Feiss]

someone mentioned bo diddley, cigarettes, wine and women?

I can't believe someone didn't!

[Dichroic]

Cigarettes whiskey and wild, wild women
...........Now we are embarking on a new beginning
They'll drive you crazy, they'll drive you insane
...........A time for all Americans to embrace hope
Cigarettes whiskey and wild, wild women
...........To finally believe that we can live up to our ideals
They'll drive you crazy, they'll drive you insane
...........And to understand that we do, indeed, own our own future.

Nope.... I just can't quite bring those two ideas together. Looks more like an inauguration party with the TV showing the ceremony in the background. (Also, the "Cigarettes whiskey and wild, wild women" lines are totally stolen from the song by Ramblin' Jack Elliott, also recorded by Jim Croce.)

[Feiss]

bo diddley
diddly iddly

obama
bama rama
rama lama ding dong

drunk on wine
legs on the women
who wear red dresses
pierce me with their blue
punch drunk eyes

the night's a stripe
a white night stripe

wave it
say it

obama rama
ding dong


A lampoon, but an admiring and loving lampoon.

[Feiss]

hey hey hey. Let's talk about the poems more. I voted today, did my civic duty. It was hard to decide, I had a top 5

[Don Allen]

I sooooooooo wanted to start my poem with that famous line from Blazing saddles..."Where be the White woman" God how I struggled.....

[Don Allen]

Okay back on topic,There was one poem that I honestly read 4 or 5 times. I was enthralled by its power and meaning to the idea it embarked. I included in my three, but not first because it didn't capture the moment of the inaugural, though the poem was outstanding.( to the point of being perhaps one of my fav's ever) I liked quite a few, but tried to keep in mind what the poem was intended to convey for the moment.
I wished a couple would have been more directed to the event, which frankly is what bothered me the most about the original. All in all, I think several would have done a better job than what we got, which as time as passed a bit now, surprises me that the original poet didn't take a more introspective view of the event as a moment in history as opposed to some esotric mumble jumble that totally missed the mark, especially since so many of the poets here knew what the target was....


The poem I liked so much did in fact convey the spirit of the event, I want that to be clear, But almost felt too personal, which ironically, is why I loved it.. Man this stuff is hard to critique.

[dclary]

I know what you mean. There were 2-3 poems that I liked a lot as poems... but didn't feel they really were inauguration poems if that makes sense. That made voting more difficult for me.

[Feiss]

Okay back on topic,There was one poem that I honestly read 4 or 5 times. I was enthralled by its power and meaning to the idea it embarked. I included in my three, but not first because it didn't capture the moment of the inaugural, though the poem was outstanding.( to the point of being perhaps one of my fav's ever) I liked quite a few, but tried to keep in mind what the poem was intended to convey for the moment.
I wished a couple would have been more directed to the event, which frankly is what bothered me the most about the original. All in all, I think several would have done a better job than what we got, which as time as passed a bit now, surprises me that the original poet didn't take a more introspective view of the event as a moment in history as opposed to some esotric mumble jumble that totally missed the mark, especially since so many of the poets here knew what the target was....


The poem I liked so much did in fact convey the spirit of the event, I want that to be clear, But almost felt too personal, which ironically, is why I loved it.. Man this stuff is hard to critique.

I think it was the fact of the event, and how daunting it would be encapsulate it effectively that made some of the poems skate around the event, and others just underline it over and over again.

[KTC]

As I said, my number 1 pick was instant. It was almost too easy. But I know what you mean. There were a couple I really liked but I didn't feel they were inauguration pointed. It was hard to separate my preference from what I thought would make an inauguration poem. It was fun reading them. They all had something to thoroughly enjoy. All of them.

[Stew21]

My favorite was instant as well. I knew immediately but choosing the others for a top three has been very difficult.
I admit to disqualifying on silly things because I had to make short list *somehow*.
I still haven't voted though.

[KTC]

Yes, I eliminated one because of one single word I didn't like. There had to be a slimming process...and when the bar is high, sometimes that process is a single word.

[KTC]

Cues the Tom Petty music...


The wai-ai-aiting is the hardest part

[poetinahat]

Well hey, how about that... we have more voters than poems!

I'm kinda puzzled about the folks who submit poems and then disappear - they don't even return to vote for themselves. But I'm inspired by the folks who haven't submitted - some of whom don't spend much, or any, time in the Poetry Forum - yet they come by and vote, and they do so thoughtfully.

I'm trying hard not to count the votes as I go. I like surprises.

[KTC]

I'm so thrilled, Rob. Thanks for sharing that. I'm glad that other members of AW are getting involved in this one. I felt that it was one that sparked a lot of interest outside the forum...I'm glad to know that non-poets are voting!

[KTC]

I think we have a spam army this morning?

[Dichroic]

Odd, considering that the last-but-one post copies one I wrote, minus the first letter.

[KTC]

I think book lover is the spammer who's playing havoc with the boards as we speak.

[Feiss]

I was totally asleep during my one and only experience with an earthquake, and now I find out I've missed a sparmy? DAMN

[KTC]

I was once on the 12th floor of a high-rise during an earthquake. It really moved me.

[Feiss]

I know all about being moved, I was once in the murky bowels of a pair of lowrise jeans.

[KTC]

I once ate a bowl of murky pears myself.

[Feiss]

you're always on about your balls, aren't you?

[KTC]

you're always on about your balls, aren't you?


you confuse me with someone who is on the ball.

[poetinahat]

Wow. It even smells like Algonquin in here....

[KTC]

The mighty Quin is all gone what?

[poetinahat]

I think I studied Quinn-Tupp Lit in uni.

[KTC]

There were 8 of them, occifer.

[poetinahat]

TWO MORE DAYS TO VOTE!

[Vampirate]

i'm anxious to see who liked which the most and how it related to mine :P

[KTC]

Voting is almost over!

[Feiss]

You're almost over! HAH

[Dichroic]

The frustrating part of all this is, it's March 1 here.

[KTC]

Not here. I'm still stuck in ugly February. Sigh.




Tell me...did it come in like a lion?

[KTC]

You're almost over! HAH


I'd rather be over than under.

[Dichroic]

Not here. I'm still stuck in ugly February. Sigh.




Tell me...did it come in like a lion?

Well.... it's pretty windy out.

[Vampirate]

if you listen does it sound like its roaring? o.o

[kdnxdr]

We have about 2 inches of snow here in Mississippi! It's beautiful and very rare.

Just a day ago, I was commenting on how many flowers are blooming.

We also had a tornado watch for a whole day before the cold front. I guess we got a bit of the lion down here.

kid

[KTC]

and the winners are?

[kdnxdr]

Kevin!

I'm trying to be distracting!

Patience is a virtue..........whatever..............

we want poems!
we want poems!
we w........sorry, I got carried away :D

[poetinahat]

I'm excited too - I'll do the count tonight (it's currently 10:30AM here).

[Vampirate]

the suspense

[kdnxdr]

I'm tingling with anticipation.:e2woo:

[Don Allen]

I'm tingling with anticipation.:e2woo:


I got some itch cream you could borrow.

[kdnxdr]

Thank you D.A. but I think those poems will make all the itchy go away. :)