Picture Challenge, New!! Write a poem inspired by this picture! Options

[Psyche]

Hello to all poets and writers:


MM invites you to write a poem in any form, including FV. Short stories are highly welcome.
They must be inspired by the picture below.

Best of luck to all!




[attachment=552:San_Andr__s_playa.jpg]

Attached File(s)

 San_Andr__s_playa.jpg ( 15.24K ) Number of downloads: 5

 

[Cleo_Serapis]

Oooh, that's lovely Sylvia!

Thanks for posting this and other challenges!

Hugz,
~Cleo

[Psyche]

Hey, Lori, what a lovely surprise to find you here! We miss you!
I know you're into new interests, as well as job-hunting. Good luck with all that.

BTW, my picture was larger and looked better before I uploaded it. Does it have to be an attachment? Can't one insert a picture? I do that elsewhere.

I quite enjoy posting challenges, but it keeps me away from inspiration for new poems of my own.

Hugs to you,
Syl

Oooh, that's lovely Sylvia!

Thanks for posting this and other challenges!

Hugz,
~Cleo

[Larry]

 San_Andr__s_playa.jpg ( 15.24K ) Number of downloads: 0

Echoes

New Edens ride each azure wave and tide
to form a Genesis, another page
where everything is fresh. Each grain applied
is but a shard from some forgotten age.

Bleak mountain crests which rose from ocean’s deep
to pierce the clouds have shells upon their brow
where creatures lived and died. Time’s hands will sweep
the dust of each millennia; endow

those particles with purpose. Cycles end
as entropy consumes itself. We’ll reach
epiphanies and know they all depend
on our perspectives lying on the beach.

Our footprints, small impressions on the shore
are merely shadows of what’s gone before.

[Psyche]

Hi Larry,
I apologize for not commenting sooner on your answer to this challenge. Had some complicated days...never mind.

First of all, I'm surprised to see you "center" a poem. Never seen you do that before.
Looks good, but should a lovely sonnet be subjected to this layout? Just me...

This is highly philosophical. Profound content. Theology at the beginning is impressive.
I say philosophical because christianity does not preach about new Edens arising. And the bible has two Genesis, but not cycles!

Bleak mountain crests which rose from ocean’s deep
to pierce the clouds have shells upon their brow
where creatures lived and died. Time’s hands will sweep
the dust of each millennia; endow...

I love the stanza quoted above. I imagine the volcanos in Hawaii, for some reason, and the black sand beaches. We collected many shells, but only specialists find fossils. Enjoying this!

I wonder whether we'll reach epiphanies? Interesting thought...and beautifully expressed in your lines. Not sure whether one "reaches" epiphanies, though. I guess you need it for your end rhyme.

Our footprints, small impressions on the shore
are merely shadows of what’s gone before.


What a stunning ending! It deftly sums up the content and meaning of the poem.
Just as a sonnet should.

Never expected such an intellectual approach to that picture of an empty, sandy bay, where I would certainly like to lay down, probably under a palm tree. I prefer the shade they provide, just enough for a light tan!
I wish MM's system wouldn't downsize pictures. The original was far bigger.

Goodness, now I'll have to think up a new challenge. I even asked my daughter for ideas. She's creative...makes extraordinary kites and now she's taken up painting.

Do move your sonnet over to Herme's! Or Plato. Others must see this marvel.

Cheers,
Syl

Echoes

New Edens ride each azure wave and tide
to form a Genesis, another page
where everything is fresh. Each grain applied
is but a shard from some forgotten age.

Bleak mountain crests which rose from ocean’s deep
to pierce the clouds have shells upon their brow
where creatures lived and died. Time’s hands will sweep
the dust of each millennia; endow

those particles with purpose. Cycles end
as entropy consumes itself. We’ll reach
epiphanies and know they all depend
on our perspectives lying on the beach.

Our footprints, small impressions on the shore
are merely shadows of what’s gone before.

[Larry]

Hi Syl,

No apologies necessary! I was just wondering whether or not anyone would ever read or comment on my mental machinations. The reason I centered the sonnet was in hope that you or someone else might post the “picture” for the challenge above it. That is the only reason for the centering. I’ve done this a few times on MM but only under picture challenges such as Epiphany’s Path which is a sonnet in hexameter or Gaia’s Gifts .

Philosophical? Well, kind of, but most of the content comes from my scientific bent. The earth has been around for 4.5 billion years and the Christian bible only covers the last 6,000 years or so. That is barely a blink of an eye in comparison. In my way of thinking, there could have been many “Edens” as survivors of prior catastrophic global events came together for all the myriad reasons mankind’s tribal inclinations induce. I’ve always been bothered by the lack of information in the bible concerning genetic anomalies which always arise from a limited gene pool or incestuous procreation. There were Adam and Lilith/Eve, Seth, Cain and Able. Where’s all the women and where/how did they materialize in the land of Nod?

As far as “reaching” epiphanies, one always will if curiosity ensues. I guess I could have used
“come to” epiphanies.

I, too, enjoy the beach and the oceans but they are a place conducive to introspective thought.

I will probably post this in one of the other forums but will need someone to insert the picture from which the poem was derived.

Thanks for the visit and the kind words.

Larry

[Psyche]

Hi Larry,

Well, I've managed not to mess up the insertion of the picture! Trouble is, I seem to be the only staff around, so I have nobody to consult these issues with.

BTW, when you post a poem, you can upload your own pictures, if you wish.

I like everything scientific and in fact read lots of science books.
In this case, I noticed the contrast between theology and science, and mentioned philosophy because your sonnet's theories show how the bible does not match scientific paradigms.
But you've done it beautifully and that's what counts.

I don't think faith and science can ever come to terms with each other, at least not in the ways either side want. There's always this argument between "creationism" and science/biology/anthropology, etc.

I've also wondered how the heck humanity could get off to a start without incest occurring right away! And while studying Theology as a 2-year course within the career of Philosophy, I came to a heretical conclusion reading the 4 gospels, which I shan't mention here, or anywhere else, for that matter. LOL.

Still, faith is faith, science is science, and I suppose they'll travel parallel paths that might (or might not) join together at some indefinite point in the far future.

I think you'll have to post your sonnet in Herme's before I can upload the picture. Unless you download the picture to your own computer, and then place it wherever you wish in the forums. Just let me know what you decide, happy to help out!

Cheers, Syl

[Larry]

Thanks Syl,

I appreciate your help. Now, here is another sonnet which I believe meet your expectations concerning the picture you posted. Hope you like this one as much as the first.

Larry

 San_Andr__s_playa.jpg ( 15.24K ) Number of downloads: 0

Neptune’s Gifts

Like soldiers on parade the palm trees stand
as if to guard their place along the beach
where life began. White scimitar of sand
the ocean built keeps waves just out of reach

and salt from tender roots. Queues offer shade
beneath their supple fronds where one may see
ripe coconuts or savory dates. They’re made
from Neptune’s gifts; an orchard's panoply

now offers sustenance from distant shore.
Cool solace from the sun’s unblinking eye
and food fit for a king but even more;
serenity beneath an azure sky.

We’re drawn to such idyllic scenes on Earth
for there we find the crèche of mankind’s birth.

[Psyche]

Hi Larry,
A second inspirational sonnet... I just love these lines! I mean, I like the whole sonnet, but sometimes there are lines that stand out. I expect poets would pick different parts, except that there's nobody around to give an opinion. Sad.

...They’re made
from Neptune’s gifts; an orchard's panoply

now offers sustenance from distant shore.
Cool solace from the sun’s unblinking eye
and food fit for a king but even more;
serenity beneath an azure sky.

I'm amazed at the facility and speed with which you write...two sonnets for one little picture...wow.

And reading your piece makes me want to visit that beach! You make it sound more beautiful than it really is...perhaps.

Of course I have no nits, but I'll invent one so as not to feel intimidated by your masterpieces. I'm fonder of the Greek's Poseidon, probably because I visited his temple somewhere outside Athens, about a zillion years ago. So I may be mistaken as to the actual place, though I remember it quite well.

I do hope you're going to share these in some other forums, Larry. Acropolis is deserted these days.

I'll be off to think up a new challenge.

Cheers, Syl

[Larry]

Hi Syl,

Okay, I've posted both of the poems in Siren's. You will have to go there to fix the graphic. I copied and pasted them but they don't show up.

I thought of using Poseidon in the poem but he was one syllable too long.

Glad you liked this one as much as the first.

Keep the challenges coming but you know there is nothing wrong with your answering your own challenge!
Come on, give it a try.

Larry

[Psyche]

Hi Larry,

I realized Poseidon would add another syllable. Just wanted to be nitty, for once.

I found one of your sonnets in Plato's (I believe), so that the picture is already inserted.

But I didn't find it anywhere else, so I'll have to check that out again. I suppose you mean Hermes?

Well, I posted two senryus in Herme's. Maybe one day I'll answer my own challenges!

Looks like I should, the way things stand at present.

OK, I'm going to take another peek.

Bye for now,
Syl

[Larry]

Sorry Syl,

I posted both my picture challenge poems in "Plato's Pearls". I read your two Senryu and Daniels helpful hints. Loved both of them but Daniel's guidelines are spot on as far as structure. You paint a beautiful picture when you try!

Larry

[Psyche]

All's well, Larry. I found them both in Plato. You may not get any comments in Plato's Pearls. Never mind, there seems to be about three of us left at the moment. I must write to Eira and find out what's going on with her.

I've answered Daniel's helpful suggestions regarding my two senryu. Trouble is, there are various points of view on how to write them in English.
Still, I'll be making some revisions. You can read what I answered Daniel over there in Herme's.

I'm glad you loved them both, despite differences of opinion about the structure. I shall be investigating some more before revising.

Thanks a lot,
Syl

Sorry Syl,

I posted both my picture challenge poems in "Plato's Pearls". I read your two Senryu and Daniels helpful hints. Loved both of them but Daniel's guidelines are spot on as far as structure. You paint a beautiful picture when you try!

Larry