Image by the Stormy Sea, surprise challenge Options

[Cleo_Serapis]

haiku

Bright tangerine sky
gleams demise of the tempest
sailor’s paradise

[Keith Logan]

Around the same time this challenge was posted here (or earlier), I had only recently discovered poetry sites and started writing. On the other website where this challenge was made (unrestricted in any way), I had just been severely criticized for using two words ending in -ing in a dramatic piece. This dreadful fau-pas required an act of contrition. I wrote the poem below.

Lighthouse

Waves keep coming, crashing, clashing;
water's running, rippling splashing
against the lighthouse rock still dashing,
as undulations breaking, smashing
on the shore.

While the autumn sun's descending,
colours, tints and hues are blending,
to tall lighthouse now is lending
defiant spirit, strong unbending
at its core.

Let her light continue beaming,
steadfast 'gainst the ocean's scheming;
great ships in streams yet steaming,
passengers in carefree dreaming
pass the door.

By the brightest signal waving,
darkest sky is now engraving;
souls of floating masses saving
whom the elements are braving,
ever more

To fit in with the limits of this challenge, I would have needed to do something with the second verse to include "The tangerine sky" maybe...

The tangerine sky with blues blending,
as the autumn sun's descending,
to tall lighthouse now is lending
defiant spirit, strong unbending
at its core.

the happy chappy

[Cleo_Serapis]

Hey Keith,

What a nice response! I do not view having a poem with lines ending in 'ing' (present participles) as a fau-pas. I'm sorry you were chastised for using them - I rather like this piece!! Not sure what site that was, as this is my challenge (and image) and I didn't post it anywhere else, so someone must have pinched it. What was that poem you wrote (if you would share)?

Keep at it - maybe even post this in Herme's or the non crit forum here for comments.

Enjoyed the read!
~Cleo

[Keith Logan]

Hi Lori,

The above poem was the one I posted at the time.

I can't help identify the site though, I drifted in and out of at least half a dozen over a 4 or 5 year period.

I initially started writing poetry because my physical problems affected my concentration and I had to give up reading altogether. It was my way of trying to keep the brain active. There was something in the rhythm, that allowed me to even comment on other people's verses.

As to posting to non crit. forums, nay I'd rather have honest feedback.

Keith, the happy chappy