July 2007 IBPC Nominations, August Comp Options

[Cleo_Serapis]

I'd like to nominate Michelle's All the Wile currently posted in Herme's Homilies for critique. I enjoyed the fresh subject, word choices and form very much and would like to see this one achieve a wider audience.

Cheers
~Cleo

All the Wile by Michelle

By day they masquerade in saccharine smiles
while feigning pleasantries. With practiced guile
they plant their schemes and brazenly parade
in saccharine smiles. By day, they masquerade.

When sunlight rests, those imps and fiends convene
unmasked, to dance a dervish round their Queen
Malevolence. They act on her behest,
those imps-- and fiends convene when sunlight rests.

With spouting sparks they sharpen trident spears
to prod when whispers fail to hold an ear.
Licentious prater permeates the dark.
They sharpen trident spears with spouting sparks.

Before I knew the sun, I romped at night
by firelight. Then, privy to their rites,
my shriveled heart was black yet weighed a ton;
I romped at night before I knew the sun.

Beware of covert brotherhoods and pacts,
of accusations made without the facts.
The average person dozes unaware
of covert brotherhoods and pacts. Beware!

[Cleo_Serapis]

I'd like to nominate 'Tricolor Pride' by Cathy for it's undying message . A poignant poem!

Tricolor Pride by Cathy


Revised:

Tricolor Pride ~ Revision 2

She flies for freedom; off'ring choice
to listen to the homeland voice
in proof through... night... our flag's still there...*
with strength and glory all can share.

Although she's slightly battle-worn
from bullet holes and cutlass scorn,
word-whipped until her hem-edge curls
by mean-mouthed, uncouth, sadist churls;

she's softened by a mother's tears
and strengthened by a father's fears...
in solace for the ones who've cried
to honor loved ones who have died.

Still she survives, beliefs opined.
Historical events enshrined
she waves her stars and stripes in hope
that others draw within her scope.

Her stitches, sewn by loving hands,
withstand the rigor of demands
to bind our nation's future fast
against a terroristic caste.

We soldiers, armed with loyalty
and hearts that yearn to be kept free,
together charge the battlefield
to fight with might; we'll never yield.

We'll carry her with fervent vows
and tend her wounds when time allows.
Her cause may often be denied,
yet faith unfurled... she flies with pride.

* A line from The Star Spangled Banner

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She flies for freedom; off'ring choice
to listen to the homeland voice
in proof through... night... our flag's still there...
with strength and glory all can share.

Although she's slightly battle-worn
from bullet holes and cutlass scorn,
word-whipped until her hem-edge curls
by mean-mouthed, uncouth, sadist churls;

she's softened by a mother's tears
and strengthened by a father's fears...
sad comfort for the ones who've cried
to honor loved ones who have died.

Still she survives, beliefs opined.
Historical events enshrined
she waves her stars and stripes in hope
that others draw within her scope.

Her stitches, sewn by loving hands,
withstand the rigor of demands
to bind our nation's future fast
against a terroristic caste.

We soldiers, armed with loyalty
and hearts that yearn to be kept free,
together charge the battlefield
to fight with might; we'll never yield.

We'll carry her with fervent vows
and tend her wounds when time allows.
Her cause may often be denied,
yet faith unfurled... she flies with pride.