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Poetry Exercise #5, to poet JAMES SHIRLEY |
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Jan 1 05, 14:27
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Mosaic Master
Group: Administrator
Posts: 18,892
Joined: 1-August 03
From: Massachusetts
Member No.: 2
Real Name: Lori Kanter
Writer of: Poetry & Prose
Referred By:Imhotep
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Hello again.
Please read the poem below by James Shirley and create your own response following the SAME stanza patterns of 8 lines with syllable counts ~ tetrameter/dimeter: 8/8/8/8/4/4/8 and rhyme scheme of ABABCCDD.
Good luck! Cleo :pharoah2
DEATH THE LEVELLER by JAMES SHIRLEY (1596-1666)
The glories of our blood and state Are shadows, not substantial things; There is no armour against Fate; Death lays his icy hand on kings: Sceptre and crown Must tumble down, And in the dust be equal made With the poor crooked scythe and spade.
Some men with swords may reap the field, And plant fresh laurels where they kill; But their strong nerves at last must yield; They tame but one another still: Early or late They stoop to fate, And must give up their murmuring breath When they, pale captives, creep to death.
The garlands wither on your brow; Then boast no more your mighty deeds! Upon Death's purple altar now See where the victor-victim bleeds. Your heads must come To the cold tomb: Only the actions of the just Smell sweet and blossom in their dust.
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"It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step into the Road, and if you don't keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to." ~ J.R.R Tolkien, The Lord of the RingsCollaboration feeds innovation. In the spirit of workshopping, please revisit those threads you've critiqued to see if the author has incorporated your ideas, or requests further feedback from you. In addition, reciprocate with those who've responded to you in kind. "I believe it is the act of remembrance, long after our bones have turned to dust, to be the true essence of an afterlife." ~ Lorraine M. KanterNominate a poem for the InterBoard Poetry Competition by taking into careful consideration those poems you feel would best represent Mosaic Musings. For details, click into the IBPC nomination forum. Did that poem just captivate you? Nominate it for the Faery award today! If perfection of form allured your muse, propose the Crown Jewels award. For more information, click here! "Worry looks around, Sorry looks back, Faith looks up." ~ Early detection can save your life.MM Award Winner
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Guest__*
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Jan 9 05, 21:12
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Guest
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Dear Cleo,
I hope this is not too British-based for others to understand - Tony Blair is our beloved Prime Minister, and he has allegedly several times promised his chancellor Gordon Brown to stand down in his favour, by whom (who knows him best) he is not quite so beloved.
In case the poem does not make it clear, I think both should take themselves to the veterinary clinic and have themselves put down.
Love Alan
THE ELECTORAL LEVELLER (apologies to James Shirley)
Achievements of our Gord and Tone are shadows, no substantial thing; forever fighting o’er a bone - this nation’s lead - their battles bring. Thus Blair and Brown must tumble down, dusty now, both are much odder to elect’ral bloody fodder.
Such men with words can trap the field, and mint fresh praises while they kill, but their sick heads at last must yield They con each one the other still. Early or late, They stoop to fate, And must die through their poisonous lies, When each false premiss, exposed, dies.
These garlands fit not on their brow; they’re barely deeds, mere mighty boast; upon elect’ral altars now exposed, and burned, why, they are toast ! Our time to say you’ve had your day for in elections we are just; now, Smile and Poison, they are dust !
Alan McAlpine Douglas
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Guest_Jox_*
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Jan 10 05, 09:25
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Guest
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Hi Alan,
Most amusing... for non Brits, the Chancellor is the Finance or Economics minister - almost the top job, apart from PM himself - so to have the two squabbling is not good news. I think The Queen should sack them both and appoint Alan and I to run things. er...
You are in parody heaven at the moment, Alan - so many, so quickly, so good. I looked at this exercise but found its form too prescriptive for me - so I am extra impressed that you can come up with such a good response. I haven't counted any syllables etc but I'm sure they fit perfectly.
Well done,
James.
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Guest__*
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Jan 10 05, 12:53
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Guest
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Dear Jox,
"so many, so quickly, so good"
Thank you dear friend !
Does it kill you off, or encourage you, if I say I find these quite easy?
In 1999 I wrote 3 Cats spoofs about my 3 least favouite morons, Tony, Gorn and Prescott, he was the Transport Cat.
Love Alan
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Guest_Jox_*
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Jan 10 05, 13:45
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Guest
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Hi Alan, Thanks for your reply.
>>Does it kill you off, or encourage you, if I say I find these quite easy?
Neither, actually. I'm not really into spoof - that is, I find it amusing to read but not to write. I enjoy writing satirical prose but not really verse. So I enjoy reading your entertaining output - which you make look easy but isn't... you obviously have a talent for it. (You have a much better understanding of, ability with and interest in, poetical structures and techniques than I).
I think if I want to have a go at Ministers I really want to put the boot in where it hurts. I have done gentle satire but I most enjoy writing more cutting stuff (I'm a "Private Eye" fan - top UK satirical magazine and I thought "Spitting Image" quite wonderful at its peak. - UK tv satirical prog).
Of course, my favouriet poet, Wilfred Owen, used bitter satire against The War and very successfully - I really like that but if doing it I wouldn't want to be too gentle and I think spoof is too gentle.
Thank you for the entertainment - I shall look forward to more from you.
By the way, two points... 1 I have a poem I would appreciate you taking a look at - not one of mine but someone from BBCGW, if you wouldn't mind. It is rather beyong my ability to sort out but I think has great merit. We have recently had several members come across from BBCGW (the site is due to close, unfortunatly) and I've been looking at various people there who deserve better crit. (There are good critters on there but they are few and far between - JJ, Perrorist, Nina and Toumai are some of the best - but don't tell them!)
Secondly, how many poems did you say you'd now written? I can't remember the exact number but I do remember it was staggeringly large.
All the best, Alan.
James.
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