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2006 Form Challenges
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This is a very old French verse form and as the name suggests consists of one eight (huit)-line stanza
with 8 syllables in each line. This is the pure form (Huit et huit) but later 10 syllable poetry emerged
and this appears to have been far more popular with the English speaking Iambic pentameter poets until the
outbreak of the Napoleonic wars. The form was written based on three rhymes, one of which appeared four times and the two typical rhyme schemes are: a. b. a. b. b. c. b. c. and a. b. b. a. a. c. a. c., with the former being the most popular.
a. b. a. b. a. c. a. c. and a. b. b. a. a. c. c. a. again with the former being the most popular.
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Huitain Posts |
Maryse AchongAlthough in high heeled shoes I was Taller than him, we did not care; It mattered not to us because We knew we were the ’perfect’ pair: So I wore high heels everywhere, Except when we got up to dance Those shoes were left under my chair, So that our eyes could talk romance. ----- The Chaconia Flower Oh Chaconia, crimson, radiant, The national flower of our islands; We are overcome by the brilliant Splendor of your blooms; like magical wands You herald in each anniversary Of our Independence, and you remind Us of the untold richness and beauty Of our land; we have but to look to find. ----- 'Flamingo' Dance See the Scarlet Ibis dancing, No need to ask the question why, He is intent on romancing The ‘lady’ who has caught his eye; He can’t afford now to be shy; If he wants her as his partner Now is his chance and he must try Everything ; he has to woo her. ----- Flower Power A single rose pressed in a book. A reminder of days gone by, A youth’s sweet gesture as he took A young girl out, it made her cry; The memory still makes her sigh: Though time and years sep'rate them now That lovely rose remains a tie, A bond between them still somehow. ----- Foreign Exchange Born of different mothers they now Lie side by side on common ground; Such strange bedfellows, stranger how It came about that they both found This place; their story would astound You; one came winging on a breeze From far, the other from just ’round The corner; tales of two cities. ----- Hard Time I heard the anguish in his voice, I swear that I could smell his rage, His anger at what little choice He'd had: impossible to gauge The depth of his hurt ; a new page Must be turned: I could feel his pain, Had tasted his tears; though no sage, I knew with me he’d smile again. I kept my word and he did smile, He became my ‘raison d’etre’, my Everything, at least for a while. But sometimes wounds run deep, and I Did not understand, that is why We fought and went our sep’rate ways For far too long: and that ‘good bye’ I know will haunt me all my days. ----- Leaf To Leaf The stems and stalks are stepping out Dancing leaf to leaf; they’re swirling Round and dipping low, unfurling Their petals as they go about Their dance routine; there is no doubt They’re having a good time for sure; They have been partying without A break, they’re making love not war. ----- Limbo Like Me "Limbo, limbo like me", they shout "Come try to dance below the bar", The Trinis one by one back out; This is one dance where they stay far Away ; you have to be a star Performer to go down so low; But unsuspecting tourists are Eager to be part of the show. ----- Mixed Messages "Do as I say not as I do" Is oft the message parents send; No wonder kids go ‘round the bend, They do not know what’s false from true, What’s right or wrong, they have no clue. If Mum and Dad can’t show the way, The kids will turn to someone who We hope will not lead them astray. "Respect yourself" the Mother says, "Or nobody else will, you know" But she is not willing to show How it's done: on carnival days Mama’s half naked, as she sways In wild abandon ; too blind to See her daughter’s face as she plays 'Mas’; it is something she must do. "Don’t drink and drive" is Father’s law, "And if you do I’ll take the keys"; The youngster readily agrees, But he knows that’s just talk, no more; When Papa comes through the front door At nights, he’s drunk: forget his speech, The one he gave the night before; If he won’t practise , he can’t preach. ----- The Pattern The cloth of life is woven from Threads of joy and strands of sorrow Crisscrossing all our lives like some Intricate design; and although There is no way that we can know How it will be when its complete, We have to play the game or throw In the towel, concede defeat. ----- Torture Tactics I’m sleep deprived, my eyes mere slits This morning, should tape my lids so They stay open; I’m at my wit’s End, as coffee will be of no Good use to me; I could just go Back to bed, make up for lost sleep, But I have plans today, so "woe Is me", I can’t start counting sheep. ----- Up The Ante You offer to ‘take care’ of her body, But who is going to 'look after' her heart? The two of them go hand in hand you see; And if they don’t for you, you’d better start Looking elsewhere, for that would be the smart Thing to do: she’d want more than the icing On the cake; she’d want all of you, not part: And yet still the offer is enticing. back to list |
Kathy AndersonSo many hand have held her palms Up to be kissed, down to be tied, That when she wakes she hears no psalms, Only the sounds that she has cried To an echoless room of sky, A vast blue space that holds ghostly Vagabond ambient cloud realms To carry emotions voidly. ----- An Unnamed Ache No man has ever walked upon The valleys of her heartsome soul, A beach cradled only by dawn Whose burnished crimson has no goal Save to warn of storms or burnt coal, For all that love has lost or traced It's mark, the hourglass has drawn The sands down into times embrace. ----- A Vivid Splash Mornings charm is ever new gold Like a spray of daffodil rows In beds where predawns rays now Spread their fingers like wings so bold, How magnificently they hold Their pose till father sun arised Comes to steal the scene, peacocks cold Blue removed in vivid surprise. back to list |
Deborah BellI weary of merely thinking, Longing to feel alive once more. That brief moment upon seeing A rose, a baby, and the door To emotions swinging open- Yes, to know, not just in my head, But in my heart, to know awe again. Sparks which let me know I'm not dead. Let the breeze take me past the dead Still zone of reckoning my sins Into someplace where veils are shred, Truth has meaning and love seeps in. Let its fragrant touch be my floor. Bless my ears with its musing. Let me catch the scent of the shore Playing there among the living. ----- It's those weeds It's only a red petaled rose, Not the entire, lovely, garden; There's only one flower I chose. Don't worry - I just have a yen To remove one flower from the glen. We're determined to stamp out weeds And your efforts will help our men To kill those pests and meet our needs. It's only the red petaled poppy That was planted next to the rose; Its weeds! (we think there are thirty); I don't really mean to impose But you really shouldn't oppose. We're determined to stamp out weeds And your efforts will help us close In killing those pests and their seeds. Its only the red garden wagon, (we've heard that wagon's transport) and our badge says "Weeds Dragon!" Weeds, with flowers, we know consort, With the wagon used as escort! We're determined to stamp out weeds And so pleased with all your effort To kill these pests and aid our deeds. It's those weeds, those terrible weeds! ----- The Edge of Night The dreams are a kaleidoscope, Where views skip from the observer To participant on the slopes Of a revolving recorder. Perhaps with a turn of the head Pieces will fall and be released; Memories forming scenes of dread Will pass into a blissful peace. I wander through these nightly dreams Which place me in these acts of war Torn landscapes of Dali's best scenes, Waking, wondering, what they're for. Are they telling me something new, Profound meanings for my life's path? Or, remainders, simply refuse; Spillage from my daylight's caraffe? Another night's shadow descends. Filling my largest coffee mug With acrid punch to twilight's blend, I wait until night's sleep does tug. I stall the moment of sleeping. I watch instead flickering shots Upon the screen until reaping My seconds, sleep draws my lot. back to list |
Gloria CarpenterIn caverns darkest hollow hall, Beware ye, of those blighters, keen. They infiltrate by fiendish crawl, Then slash with blades the walls between. On battlefields where they convene, They never stop, no need to sleep. They brandish weapons as they call Their battle cry, before they creep Into a slender cavity Where torture starts with just a tickle Such tactics of depravity, A little more, a little trickle, Hacking now with sword and sickle, Unlocking floodgates primal source, With gush of sluicing gravity, Beware ye, of this fighting force. ----- Not up to snuff My voice is fading, far from well, yet when I cough, I whinny hoarse. Oh, not like Leny's steed ~ can tell ~ I sound more like a frog, of course. So here I sit with no life force, all shivery. I have the flu. My ribbit puffs and starts to swell. I'm wrapped in blankets. How are you? ----- Prima Rosa As starburst pops a final flash, another shoot shows off her flair, vivaciousness with stylish splash irradiating everywhere. As dusk descends with ribboned hair, a breeze picks up velocity, and swirls the stardust through her sash in dance of luminosity. ----- Seasonal Question A taste of winter’s summer, autumn’s spring, in shades deciduous or evergreen ~ Such seasonings add tang to everything, from saucy salad days to haute cuisine. Some choose one dish, some waffle in between, whilst others sample tidbits all the while. If winter’s summer fed her autumn spring, would changing seasons still remain in style? ----- Sleep with dreams It is no secret flowers need to sleep with dreams, however brief, replenishing their inner seed upon a stem of core belief. When dewdrops fall on pillowed leaf, a bead of dawn revives, awakes. As blossoms open, dreams recede to fill the spaces morning makes. ----- Undone If I have nothing else but this, it will be enough forever, for such beauty floods my soul. Bliss within, and throughout, wherever there is breath to breathe, for never did I dream I would find you ~ one who showed such tenderness. Your kiss untied my heart. I am undone. ----- Who called? Who called the winter back to play in flurried flirts with teasing bite, when warmth had brought a spring bouquet all dressed in green, of such delight? Who needs reminders, billowed white with swirling brush of icy trace in wintry chill on moonlit night, when stars appear to fall from space? Should I collect those stardust flakes that settle on my window ledge and hold them ‘til the sun awakes, to share their twinkle on the edge? Or should I make a gentle pledge to blow them with a wish away and send them on a flight of fledge? Who called the winter back to play? back to list |
Maggie CusickMountains standing sombre today, gold of sun hiding behind clouds, wind whipping through misty ways Ehoes mighty orchestras loud rippling silvery lakes do shroud tall trees gracefully genuflect adoration to nature proud. rain saturates mother earths sect. back to list |
Lorraine Dafney"I just heard they'll be visiting." "Again, they waste no time at all." "They find us most interesting." You'd be too if you were that small." "Its amazing the way they fall." "I bet they can't open a door." "Each is barely three inches tall." "You know what they say less is more." ----- Pink and White Pink and white buds now grow lovely At night they illumunate streets While their branches do sway gently Enough to spread their essence sweet Come walk and smell their fragrant treat Beneath the stars and the moonlight White pear and pink cherry trees feat Makes arbors for lovers tonight back to list |
Allura DGraceful as the willow, dipping, When winter wind blows harsh and drear; Gently as the doe bows, sipping, Thirstily from the river clear; Pliant as the grass lies, bending, Before the onslaught of the rain; Surely as the heart beats, mending, The seasons turn, love comes again. back to list |
Gaer LlwydParallel tracks, laid side by side Darkness of night covers the rails Full head of steam, sad whistle wails Charging ahead, driven with pride Opposite courses; passing astride Heart is let out into the night Fates are driven, no longer tied Moving apart in nonstop flight. back to list |
Kevin McKinneyLounging on a bed of primrose, Puck spied a maid born of a dream; Full twice his height and he supposed No fairer visage had been seen E'er since brave Boudicca was queen! He rose, dazed by her radiance; She smiled and stooped and kissed his nose, "I'm honored by thy audience;" "What ho! How fate hath smiled on me," He thought, with scarce contained surprise; "This day was made for 'bauchery, Let's sweetly carve thee down to size;" She laughed and said, "Yes," with her eyes! They'd liven up that sleepy wood, There in the roses Puck surmised; They'd get themselves up to no good! "Pray tell," He said, inquisitive; "How dost thou, attending stature, Delight in the diminutive; Do I satisfy thy nature; Am I tall enough a creature?" Poor Puck's eyes near left their sockets; "I require only one feature," She said, "How deep are thy pockets?" ----- Gloria In Humiliatas Who drew this neon star so well Defined and in such brilliant hues; Vibrating clear as morning's bell Announcing procreation's news? Unlike the chime whose peal we lose, This badge preserved in acetate Will yet adorn long as we choose To make its season hesitate. Strange how we pull back the throttle Portraying life in one flower's Moment captured in a bottle; As we try with all our powers To keep it beyond its hours; A proper sign of reverence That we tend these ageless bowers In tribute to impermanence. ----- Scholarship What little I'd have learned of love On my own, but that we are told; It's soft as the wings of a dove; That it cannot be bought or sold; It causes a mild distraction, An absence almost, of the mind; A sympathetic reaction Somewhat akin to being blind. Now, what do fish know of water? What do birds know of the air; Or the queen bee of the daughters Who have spent their lives in her care? All of them are fully immersed In life and joyfully inclined; Artisans, lovingly rehearsed In the parts they have been assigned. Without you, I was like a fish Desperately in need of a stream; A Dodo about to languish; A hapless drone, a bumble been! Be my rose against tedium; My reason to expect the dawn; Let our love be the medium In which all we hope for is drawn. ----- The Toughest Thing I share fond appreciation For the toughest of things to do; Realize one's situation And gracefully bid life adieu. Comes a time when it's futile to Rage and struggle against the stream; To drift away from all you knew And 'waken to a brand new dream. Soon as it seems life means the most, We finally feel right in our bones, The stream has left us polished stones, It's time for giving up the ghost! Just when, at last we're not engrossed In games of winning and loosing; We're dealt a blow with no riposte At a time not of our choosing. But how to turn the tables while We're still the masters of our fate? Acknowledge help and banish hate; Give love away; return each smile And happ'ly go the extra mile; Be as honest and as aware And open minded as a child; You'll be a child when you get there. back to list |
Leny RooversMy head is filled with cotton balls, stuffed up, obscuring inner sight; my nose, the source of waterfalls in which my eyes swim, looks a fright! A cold sneaked in, without invite. Outside, a blanket of fresh snow was draped over the world last night- white-crystal fever sets aglow. ----- Racing I’ve lost control over my horse, he gallops fast, refused my lead; I’m frightened by our present speed and lost my balance by fierce force. My world is spinning from its source, connecting threads are twined in cords. I have to change this hapless course- transform the spirals into chords. I grab the reins I lost before, and pull with force, he feels the bit- remembers who is boss, submits. Still sweating, we achieve rapport, new energy flows from our core. My horse and I must learn to race in unison, when we explore our visions’ edges- reaching grace. ----- Unison Today my mind’s a stubborn steed; with reins in hands, attention taut, I steer my horse beyond all thought. While riding with increasing speed, I find seductive views recede. From flowing hills we reach a plain- I catch my breath, he nibbles weed. We rest awhile, let go of strain. My horse then whinnies, true to breed; his voice brings back a thought I fought- I see it pass, am not distraught. At walking pace our road proceeds, a bridle, we no longer need. In mutual trust we now trot lanes towards our home, as we agreed; I stretch my arm, to touch his manes. back to list |
Ryter RoethicleTime wasted by a monument of hate Formed by a spell of our immortality That our feeble mind wishes it could create And thus enables our own insanity. We are too impatient and force fate, Whilst ignorant of what the future holds We dare presume, another mortal trait Instead of waiting to see life unfold. ----- Autumn’s Glory Mad summer’s heat has gone away And in its place it’s left the rain. For awhile cooler days are left to play Then perhaps the heat will be back again. Autumn presents a more liveable day For humans but not for what is grown. Whilst we live a more pleasant way Springtime’s display is being sown. ----- Dancing to Loves Tune Dancing to loves tune, you spin and turn Inside your heart thuds, and skips and pounds Loves eternal dance will forever resound Whilst the fever of love causes you to burn And when apart your innards twist and churn. The sensuous tempo that loving always makes As your lover’s steps with pleasure you learn Bodies touch knowing there are no mistakes. ----- Photograph Sitting, looking at your photo once again I'm reminded of how our life has been Until recent merely a poor life scene Now it’s strong no matter what the strain And out of madness we've become sane My previous life has been so mean Because of you I’m free from pain A brighter life through you I've seen ----- Science Lesson The chemistry reaction between you and me Ignites the sparks causing uncontrolled desire. The friction of our movements sets up ESD Fuelled by love sets our body cores on fire. Fusion being all that we seemingly require When our elements are finally blended, And a chain reaction is what shall transpire With a healthy stir each day recommended. ----- The House The cynic’s house is built brick by brick Painstakingly cemented together by anger. Bigoted windows, with glass inches thick So that of seeing the truth there is no danger The sarcastic steel doors are locked and stick When ever reality is around for a while With a roof of hate, covered by slime and slick Impenetrable, hostile, but destroyed with a smile. back to list |
Allura and KevinIf I had my way we'd never Have a reason to be fearful Or to fret about forever; Life would never be so awful To make either of us tearful. We would leave mourning to the dove And all our songs would be cheerful As orchestrated by our love. Harmonics Life is full of trial and pain That simply is the way of things, But with you joy will rise again Will give a weary heart new wings. Love counts the measure of it all, The melody that our life sings. The road of life will rise and fall Your love the balm, that living brings. Ovation We would own the night together And banish darkness like the dawn; As players who duet better Would banish silence with a song, And relish in the sing-along; Our rapture in it deep'ning till All other voices are long gone, While our crescendos echo still. back to list |
Gloria and RyterOut of a void my love has grown From a cosmic speck, a minute grain. Out of nothing a seed was sown Finally creating this heavenly domain, That brick, or steel, could ne’r attain. Inside is flesh and a pulsing heart. Please do not treat me with disdain I’d be destroyed if we should part. A Passion Blooms A little seed, a pulsing heart, With tender care, a love will sprout, And as it gains in strength, will start To lose its shades of fear and doubt. For what can live within, without If left to wither in the dark, When love is what life’s all about. A passion blooms from just a spark. back to list |
Kathy and RyterI want to kiss every inch of your body In case I miss I will repeat my deed, Again and again until response I see I will fulfil your desires and answer your need. Relax, feel my touch ease away your tension Soon from your daily cares you will be freed. There is no reward I seek save your attention And your willingness for me to proceed. My Answer Do proceed with abandon, wild As my pleas, sure met with kisses, Soft as rain, softer than mild, Yet warm insistence remisses No answer, nor failed, dismisses Any wish to be freed from locks That you unlock with loves beguiled Hand, that now drops my velvet frock. back to list |
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