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2008 Form Challenges
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Cavatina This form as its name suggests was formerly Italian and also emerged around the time of Francesco Petrarca, and like the French ran their poetry and music along similar repetitions of melody. Unlike all the other Italian poetry forms, this form never became popular in England. The Italian form consists of a ten (10) syllable non rhyming line alternating with a four (4) syllable rhyming line, at least three (3) times and completed with a ten syllable line couplet. This will probably explain why the English never took it seriously because of it breaking up Iambic Pentameter with Iambic Dimeter and appearing to limp rather than flow. Peggy Nelson in her tribute to her mothers day shows the basic requirements:
It should be emphasised at this point that regardless of the number of lines this form will always remain a Cavatina. If for example it were to have 10 lines it would not become a Cavatina Decastich or Cavatina Sonnetina. Similarly if it had 14 lines it would not become a Cavatina Sonnet (Similarly Rondel Prime). It is however possible to change the rhyme scheme and have variants of, a. b. for a 14 line Cavatina, Ryter Roethicle gives an example below:
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Cavatina Challenge Replies
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Maryse AchongI think of him as Mr. Bojangles, Sammy Davis; Small in stature, big talented was he, Star of show biz; A musician, singer, how he could dance, The stage was his; When he performed he did so with great flair, That entertainer extraordinaire! ----- Dad You were my hero from the very start, You'd sing to me; We'd sit and watch clouds as they floated by So lazily; Your fav'rite tree the one that I loved most , The gorgeous poui; You taught me how to read, to cherish books, And poetry. You died but did not go alone, you took A part of me. Though long gone you've stayed in my heart and mind. So much alive in those you've left behind. ----- Decreed One child per family is what they ruled, They did not know There'd come a time when they would regret this, A crushing blow; So many young lives lost in this earthquake A nation's woe: With flagging hopes they search for survivors The going's slow. Thousands of them have lost their only child, Their grief and anger driving many wild. ----- End Of Hope The people of our island are enraged, For Hope is dead; She was raped, sodomized, her throat was slit, We're filled with dread; Her little body found in a cane field, A bludgeoned head. Her mother left her in her lover's care, She says he took her with him everywhere. ----- Namaste The Indian Market is in town again, I hope to go; I revel in the display of the goods They have on show; I want to wear a sari at least once That much I know. The sights, the sounds, the smells, they're heavenly, And I'm back in Agra, Bombay, Delhi. ----- On Display We stand before You each and every day Completely bare, No camouflage, disguises or façades, We do not dare; You know us from without and from within, And still You care: You listen to us when we're in distress And in despair; You give us love like nobody else can, The most sincere, You want us to return that love to You, But not through fear. Counsellor, Master, Friend, You answer all, You're there for us, we only have to call. ----- Small Recompense "For what I've done Lord and what I've failed to do I trust Your Love Lord, will see me through." I bow my head, mouth the words silently, You know my heart; And though I have a long, long way to go, I've made a start; No easy task to try to pattern You; But you impart The guidelines; which I should try to follow If I am smart. You gave much and ask little in return, How could I refuse to listen and learn? ----- Whew What to eat, that's something to think about, Rotosserie? Perhaps instead a well prepared buljol, That sounds tasty; Somebody else is suggesting pelau, Or a curry; All tempting, but then someone has to cook: Call KFC; If not then Pizza Hut will have to do Too hot today to bake., broil, steam or stew. ----- Your Time I look at you and wonder how the years Have flown so fast, Just yesterday I held you in my arms, That's in the past; Today you offer a strong hand to hold, What a contrast; My nephews, fine young men, my pride in you Is unsurpassed. The time has come for you to take the lead, The die is cast. So much ahead for you to do, to see, I pray that you'll be blessed abundantly back to list |
Lorainne DafneyLike a swan she seemed to float and meet him, beneath clear skies; no one else mattered, it was evident, within her eyes, as she placed her tiny hand within his you heard the sighs; from the wedding guests that came to witness, sweet compromise; that began when two strangers fell in love, young and so wise, they pledged their devotion to always try, knowing that their love, no one could deny back to list |
Peggy NelsonMany years passed quickly before my eyes One promise I keep Always abundant love for my three sons At times I weep Watching them grow strong and falter at times My love they reap Now I set back in my rocking chair Watching their growth Raising their children the best way they can Appeasing oaths I watch and applaud as they reach each dream A promise my oath A gifted child a wonderful mind A priest he earned He walked in a saints role for awhile Yet drugs he yearned Went down the wrong road, never to return Wrong turn… a urn Two sons left to love and watch grow older Both served forces Both married and have families to raise Setting courses Watching and hearing the greatest sons goals My love endorsed I am proud of my two sons, my special loves With or without 'round, I think the world of ----- Blazing Fires Wild fires blazing, destroying homes Trees and life's Animals running wildly through towns Worldly deaths strife Fanning the fuel, winds causing disarray Abundant rife Efforts to contain quick burning items growing fires Highways closed from choking smoke and burning, Phone line wires Fire fighters spend days preserving what's, Left to admire Picking through charred remains in a dazed flash I Watched the gorgeous forest turn to ash ----- Earthquakes Earthquakes have to eventually happen Relieving stress Underground plates everywhere are moving Causing earths mess Most people never give them any thought They do confess Unbeknownst to them until it gives way And loved ones devoured from earthquakes fray ----- Kids Knowing words from them can make me feel whole In life's let downs Seeing their words written in scribbled notes Erasing frowns Each having their own personality From rogues to clowns What will their words bring later, as they grow? Will they let more misguided mistakes flow? ----- Musical Treat I walked into the Buffet room tonight Starving I was My tummy was growling loud as lions I heard applause To my amusement the band was louder I thought it was… The band asked me politely not to eat And join them on stage with my tuneful beat ----- One Week Later In the aftermath of Earthquakes dismay Millions homeless Tensions are high and fear remains in minds Enduring helpless Not enough room to hold five million souls Most are tent less Ground still rumbles, hundreds of aftershocks Seeing desperate faces as they walk ----- Recipes Life can be so cruel and unsuspecting Are you prepared? What is your recipe to help you out Have you shared? Have you really been in harms way You've been impaired? What's life's unexplainable recipe? If you knew the recipes, God you'd be. ----- Sighing We fantasized throughout the years on line, With loves not meant Hoping and wishing someday we would find Loves great extent In the beginning of winter we met Both complacent Emotions; feelings were gratifying Will this years winter bring our love sighing? ----- Storms Dramatic destructive storms have arrived Uprooting all From tropical storms and hurricanes roar Hail, dust fall Thunder clapping, lighting causing more fires No pause for lulls Lifting and destroying once peaceful scenes Nature's power, what message does it mean? ----- Surprise Party For The Children I have decorated the buffet room For the children Arranged all fun games for them to play and Prizes to win I see them looking at the yummy food, And wearing grins Hot Dogs, buns, beans and plenty of cake Merry Christmas children, sung by mistake ----- With Her, Without Her, I still Love Her She held me tight in her warm loving arms Protecting me She helped me walk and watched me fall through life She nurtured me She gave me life and held my hand when small Love she gave me She was always there when I had got hurt Kissing my sores and cleaning up the dirt. A nurse she was when I got very sick Caring Mother Her love was always deep within my heart Loved my Mother At times we became very far apart Still loved Mother She understood I loved her through the years Knowing we both shed happy and sad tears. She was the best Offering love could bring I miss her so She was my best friend throughout all the years I told her so I wanted her to know how much I cared She knew it so Thanked her for every moment giving glee She smiled and laughed the last day with me. ----- Woe's Me Do to the ever rising price of gas I can not fart Do to the earthquakes, my heart is no longer It's fallen apart Do to the floods, my brain drifts far from sane, Like the news chart Money, what is that; if you're disabled You'll learn soon what poor means when your labeled! back to list |
Ryter RoethicleMemory is all that's left when reality's Gone forever. Only the good things will be left behind The bad never. So we create this world that never was With endeavour. Is it not a sin to lie? Thus we have The purest sin. No evil intent it is the way we are Errors within. So we go on and on through life this way Remembering. I remember how you looked at me That's the way I wish it ever to be. ----- Everlasting The water falls in soft gentle splashes There's no anger As if welcoming lost friends the water Awaits below. In a flurry of movement sounds of Greeting burst out Friends and visitors dash off hastily Reunited Then others eager to take their place wait With bated breath and the cycle continues. ----- Garden Of Love In life we'll set a paradigm of love We'll never part. So certain am I, I surrender my soul Also my heart. Others will know it can be any time When love can start. We will create a garden with a bower And there we'll meet 'Neath blossoms we have created so divine Our loving feat. The Sun will shine and all the birds will sound We'll be complete. And each night as Hypnos lays out his coat Wrapped together to heaven we'll float. ----- Incomplete Strange, how quickly some people make you Want to peel back the blinds across your eyes And let them come in without even knocking. You let them casually browse through all your dreams, Your hopes, and fears, forgotten treasures and things. Taking them by the hand along dark corridors To cold, cob-webbed rooms, blowing away dust, Fondly passing over much loved artefacts. Then other warm moments in sunnier rooms Spent sitting, on bright yellow dustcovers, Sipping sweet, well aged port, warming limbs Together, but separate, feeling cosy. There's urgency to be close, honestly sharing, I sometimes find that I'm still excitedly moving To yet another room, gesticulating, when All-of-a-sudden I notice she's not there. Retracing my steps, I find someone fast asleep Where she told me she would be, in the sun. Instead I found her in earnest conversation With a stranger her eyes wide open to him Inviting him to come in. Once again I faded into the shadows, Wishing that I'd locked the door earlier From the inside. ----- November 53 It was the time of the long stretch of grey A time of tears. A time of drenched thought and clouded dreams Discovered doubt. Clouds were cutting off all circulation. Creating fears. Splattered windows on soggy afternoons Misery without. It makes a difference what colours do In creating cheers. The colour grey can fill the whole of you And sadness sprout. Instead lift up and paint a rainbows hue From then on you will see a different view. ----- Love Has Grown Out of the mist my love has grown so strong You've made it so. In my winter mornings you created heat. The heat of you Will burn away the coldest morn on Earth. Believe me please. Now the mist has gone and the morning's clear My hearts aglow. Last night was spent with moon and stars alight. I've known so few I realise with you I'll see many more. Stay gentle tease. Outside the winter winds will make their mark Inside there is heat from your fiery sparks. ----- On Cue No one of note knows what I feel or cares You care for me. There's a look in your eyes, swiftly passing I saw that glance Curious, inviting, waiting my move Would you agree? Then I saw that look again wondering I will advance. I saw you smile as I approached and knew What we would be As if on cue the world spun, twirled and Began to dance. And dance we will until the end of time Knowing what we have is always sublime. ----- Pictures I picture you in a white, dress, bag, shoes Looking so pure. And my mind wanders now to you in black So sinecure. But that is my mind and where has it been You, so demure Then I realise each pose is just for me And you will be what I want you to be. ----- Reality Bites I wish to wake by your side each day of my life Hearing your voice. Would that it were so simple, just one wish. Nothing's simple, And can never be when it comes to love. I wish to wish! What is love but a game of happenstance A casual choice? A choice which makes or breaks two people. Is it ample Or do you need more to fill your desires? A heady dish! So these questions will go on for all eternity Imagining that they are a uniqueity. ----- Unacceptable You wickedly tease me with opal smiles Cast out, tempting. My nose senses late autumn in the air Cold and wet's king. Where is the rain? False promises again There is nothing. The opal fades as dirty brown patches Appear and hopes of heavy rains dashes. Further North abundance floods aplenty Too much again. The levees breech and some towns are flooded Almost insane. Does it flow where it's needed most, mostly Goes down the drain. Much further North the Artic thaws away And we must wait while the Poli's delay. ----- Values I look across the river from my chair As the sun sets. You raise your wine glass to your lips and smile We are content. With it the setting sun takes the days heat And no regrets. Casually our feet reach out and contact Without intent. The sun's set, the red sky refuses to die It's paid it's debts, But naught is due except to see the fruits Of this event. The sun has seen so much love in it's time But none so much as will be yours and mine. ----- Xylose (Sugar) The full moonlit night causes thrills in the heart Voices haunt me. In a forest of darkness seeking for A free spirit, From light to dark no longer searching. I'd found thee, I sought harmony with you a union. Should you permit I was willing to give my all to you. You did agree And from that feelings grew and grew so strong I will admit Days without you are days without sunshine And the days with you are all roses and wine. ----- Zilch Muse It's not the night or the music it's me My muse has gone Too much work, too much pressure is enough She has withdrawn I sit here my glass of port as company Ideas, I have none My notes zilch, there's no inspiration there All ideas blown So I sit here drinking a lovely port No light has shone Another sip, appreciating Gods gift to me I must postpone No worldly wisdom to impart to you This time my foot is in some others shoe. back to list |
Leny RooversEnfolded by her wings they view the world, these newborn swans; white feathered innocence meeting my gaze, no sign of brawn as beaded black eyes melt into my green. We share this dawn, watch Day take off her negligee of rose- sheer joy over the bright blue gown she chose. ----- Deva Premal On wings of sound my soul is pulled aloft to join Your spheres, each thrilling tone takes off old outer layers- harvest of years. I close my eyes to let my heart float free, let go tight fears. I feel my body straighten, mind's now calm, as music washes through me with song's balm. ----- Dusk At dusk night's angels pour soft pastel light across wide skies; day's blue is draped in lilac, peach and pink- heaven's surprise. Above the now dark tree-tops, cream turns mauve at half moon's rise; I stand in awe of nature's palette range, as stars arise. The firmament wears blue and orange veils in night's disguise; when blackbird's last song fades away, I sigh; soft whispers of the evening breeze, reply. ----- Flame of love II As pigeons flock on top of red tiled roofs, you're in my dreams. On wings of swiftest birds I send my call with air's fast streams; I know you'll catch my thought, return one soon in moonlight's beams. I'll pluck it from the sky and hold it close, then add it to the flame within- which grows. ----- Floating Blue water, smooth as glass, invites me in, envelops me, I lie upon my back, floating in peace, my mind set free; with wide-spread arms and gently moving feet, I find life's lee. On turning 'round, I feel my muscles' strength; still free of thought I swim this morning's lengths. ----- Love's buffet When you could be my breakfast and my lunch, I'd be fulfilled; unlike when having rice at supper-time, no grain gets spilled. No dread would fill me, looking at the scales, I would be thrilled. Never again I would feel hunger pangs- bliss is instilled. On love's buffet we'd quench our thirst and dine, our menu would taste nicer than sweet wine. ----- Love's Flame Within my heart resides my love for you. Its steady flame lights up my darkest days and warms cold nights; it burns your name into the tissues of my offered skin. I cannot blame you for the searing pain when blisters break- your love is soothing and removes each ache. ----- Love's pursuit Like gentle rain my love enters your heart to ease bare drought; its never-ending flow of fertile pearls moves seeds to sprout. Still tender shoots strike deep within soul's soil and find their route, each added drop consolidates and heals- removes old doubt. As roots are reaching layers still unreclaimed, they get more clout, until at last new budding love's in bloom and hearts grow stout. As patience and strong passion now bear fruit, we'll celebrate the wealth of love's pursuit. ----- Loving you You're in each morning's dawn, when skies are pink and air smells fresh; I breathe in deeply, take you in my blood. I drink of you as in my breakfast's fruits I taste your skin, fragrant and pure. I feel you in Sun's hot embracing touch, warming my flesh. You're in each heartbeat, into my essence you are imbued. When clouds darken my dreams and I can't flee, your voice assures. You're in the stillness of birds' evensong, I see you in Moon's light as love prolongs. ----- Morning shower Within the shower's warm embracing hold, my mind's adrift; as water's fingers trail across my skin, sensations shift. I feel your arms around me, draw me close and spirits lift- your nose is in my hair, I hear your laugh in morning's gift. I'm floating on a cloud of fragrant steam, relaxing mind and muscles in fall's stream ----- Prănayăma As prăna flows into my pelvic bowl, my body grounds; soft waves of subtle breath rinse out all thought till peace is found. I watch inside and feel life's well pour forth on air's soft sound. Each inhalation's followed by a pause- my heart beats steadily within Your cause. ----- Unravelling In you my thoughts find rest and fade away, my mind is freed; within your hands my wounds will disappear, no longer bleed. You are the haven where I'll find my lee, to you I'm keyed. Born from your seed, I will dissolve in you, unravelling tight knots that once accrued. Accepting everything you test me with, growth will increase; I'm giving up all envy and all greed, to find release. Abandoning my anger and my tears, I am in peace. I'm opening my inner self to you, preparing soul's new vessel to be true. ----- With or without you While laughter in your voice dissolves grey clouds, the sun breaks through; my brow is clear again as inner light shines bright and true. Within the circles of my mind peace reigns in love's review, when eyes and mouth rejoice in newborn smiles, my heart's with you. I'll send my love with each ray of the sun, with every raindrop and moon's nightly run. I hear you in bird's song and in the breeze waving trees' crowns, I see you in each flower in green fields, in gulls' high rounds; I feel your touch when Sun kisses my skin in bare-necked gowns. I miss your body's warmth when nights are cold 'neath doona's down; if Star Trek's "Beam me up" would now exist, we'd share more than our dreams and we could kiss… -----  Yoga XIX My breath is rising like a crested wave, capping my crown; in letting go, I watch how Prăna flows- a streaming gown. As thoughts retreat, I feel my brow relax, set free its frown; with worries wiped away, I sit- just am, peace settles down. Between the earth I sit on and the sky, Life's energy pours its immense supply. ----- You You're in the coolness of a morning's breeze, in dew-drops' pearls; you're in the softness of a new-born lamb's white woolly coat. You're in the whispers of the trees at night, in dusk's soft voice, I see you in white crested waves at sea, where water curls; I feel you when the sun kisses the skin of my bare throat. I hear you in the flowing river's song when nymphs rejoice. You are my slumber and my evening's rest, in you I wake and live, fulfil my quest. ----- Your Light Between the atoms and the stars, You are the force that knows, behind grey layered clouds and masks of men Your light still glows. Beneath the hardened crust of soul and earth, You feed life's flows; before Your eyes all will come to be judged, it can be voluntarily, or nudged. Above the world of men, the angels watch, at times they cry; if we but listened to their warning call, we could reply and readjust our ofttimes faulty ways, say them goodbye. If we're alert, we'll hear Your voice with ease, Your Light will help us find the keys. back to list |
Nia WynneThe best way to have a mans heart is food, Cupids arrow Could be no better weapon for true loves Arsenal show, Just let me into the kitchen awhile And you will know Beans for bullets, carrots for cutting tools, Straight from the gullet to heart, no re-peels! ----- Miracle You are the will o'wisp of turning time Here in my mind. You cause the moon to glow, the sun to shine Now in these thoughts. You ought to know, the way love has grown Here in two hearts. We've become more, we've become truly one, God divined. Angels wings have lifted beyond what's true, His hands have carried and molded we two. ----- Rainbow As the rainbow, fair to see, so lovely, Casts colors Over clouds of mist in gossamer sky Like no other Artists palette of angelical hues, Earth is duller Without such graceful strokes, Gods brush there Shimmering and blessing with beauties flair. ----- Rising Sign You've completed me time and time again, Then came to me. Without you I could not have changed my fate And shared such free Universal bonds of affections, Over seas, Beyond the eternal chaos of space To where time and space have no real place. back to list |
Peggy and Ryter Secret Love Notes Like a swan she seemed to float and meet him, beneath clear skies; no one else mattered, it was evident, within her eyes, as she placed her tiny hand within his you heard the sighs; from the wedding guests that came to witness, sweet compromise; that began when two strangers fell in love, young and so wise, they pledged their devotion to always try, knowing that their love, no one could deny ----- I left your side to do my wandering Lonely again. This time there is hope a prayer to return And stop the pain. I see your face, it calls me from afar I am insane. I turn and head for what is your abode I can see now and the blessings bestowed. back to list |
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