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2011 Poetry Form Challenge#09 MathnawiMost Persian Mathnawi are normally eleven (11) syllables, occasionally ten (10). There is no limit to the number of couplets. It has a rhyme scheme a. a.. b. b.. c. c. etc as shown in the following example:
Early Urdu Mathnawi was at first religious in nature, but because of Persian influence included romance, and adventure and even secular stories. Arabic Mathnawi (Also called Muzdawidj) has one major difference in that it is presented as a triplet; a. a. a. / b. b. b. / c. c. c.. pattern, rather than a couplet shown previously.
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Mathnawi Challenge Replies
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Maryse AchongAs long as we’re alive we’re always learning Those wheels of life don’t stop, they’re ever churning. We live, we love, we endure both joy and pain, Not only once but time after time again. We laugh, we cry, that is all part of living, We quarrel but we learn about forgiving. And when the end comes we can but hope and pray We’d have tried to live our lives in the best way. back to list |
Kathy AndersonCinammon sky and cyan sea marry night To day in siver fingered rays of orb'd light Tawny steeds pull galleon clouds east to west Of where we wish to wander from our rest Sallow summer rests in Autumns cool arms Rather than linger in false romance charm Burnished skin is warm against a thunder wind Kicking up leaves as if it had it's own mind Willow green is the whispers of passing doves Taking messages to the one I once loved  ----- Gone It went to my head what you said yesterday And again the thoughts burn yet become doubts play For whenever hearts are involved I must pray. How goes these whispers into the heavnelies To evoke imaginative displays, please Me as much as the cello with bow glories. Charms take me away as do the words we speak, When there are clouds in our eyes they tend to leak For far gone days and flung desires bespeak. ----- Sea of Love You Laird, are the one weeped for by the sandy shores The sea painted sand trace footprints she adores. The wind kissed her once and how his spell has won Her heart, she now makes her palette, colors run. No exception her art is made by his breath In harmony with her own heart beats eath. As it swirls in oceans depth true romance comes For neath Lairds skies unfolds canvas epistome. ----- Spirits Dwell There is a jealous spirit following me She isn't an aquaintance but an enemy. She wishes you were here just as much as I Wish you were here when the blues cause me to sigh. This green schemer wishes to destroy this life Take away on pains of death by steely knife. Wishing you were the one to break this bad spell With good and light far from the madding crowds swell. The sea rushes into the cove I dreamt of Washing away all the old, bringing new love. The sky rains all my tears wishing you were here To come to me and hold me for a million years.  ----- Strawberry Days Just as April showers bring May flowers told So comes the June bugs and the fireflies gold All creatures great or small renew in each wold Deer wander far and wide no matter the land Even where the city dwellers make their strands Of houses, shops and businesses they think grand Nature has the toughest hold we can't deny Though as Summers go it always seems to fly Too brief a season, too brief as lovers sky Today there is a Milk Moon, tomorrow Rose For many are the names under skies we know So may the strawberry scented days ne'er go ----- What Happened We used to talk about the sun and the sky Perhaps share thoughts we cannot recall now why. The question of an us did not become us But lay there on the ley lines of faith and trust. Are these memories of the future from past Or present ponderings never meant to last. Such magics that minds can create from one thought And birth so many more from what was first sought. Caught in cross hatches of indigo ink'd lines Fate follows roads we laid not all our designs. Past follows close on heels traveling todays Canter fields of clover luck and loves true way. We used to spend time in idle speak or fun Bantering away the muse blues, you now shun. back to list |
Divena CollinsI in my youth a mere shadow in a room Alone in a corner in my darkened gloom For not a word I had dared to converse But how I wish I had been the reverse Oh why as a child I had been so terse. My inferiority was so very complexed It pained me much and left me vexed. Painfully shy of strange company around If noticed my heart shrunk to the ground I just longed to hide and never be found. But many years on I changed completely Although at first I had changed discreetly. It took some years to retrieve what I lack As I got older I had learned to fight back And happy to say I am now back on track.  ----- All Seasons Green are the meadows which thrive in the spring We harken the Cuckoo`s sweet song on the wing. Now all of earths nature shall soon spring alive For woodlands in springtime yet again to survive. Summer hath awakened the dense woodland green Such perfection portrayed within natures scene. An artists brush flows his inspiration with flair Capturing this moment with precision and care. As the dusk descends changing all that is bright Leading the skyline towards the darkened night. Come Autumns new colours of crimson and gold Shedding thy leaves brightest colours to behold. Thou who hath then withered with ne-er a sound A brown and red carpet autumn winds blew down.  ----- Amor De Hada Por Caballero Oh ye thy fair spirit of the woodlands sage Who had writ her oath on an age old page. To hath pledged then her promise of love, Unto a knight from the Kings realms above. Who had treasured the joys of loves delight Entranced in fantasy `neath a full moons light. Until the dawns crystal dew drops shall dance Within their spiritual and most mystical trance. How sweetly this love they hath now bestow`n For complete inner warmth within hath shown. Together they both now so lovingly share This love that is cherished with tender care. Now this their bond of true love hath sealed With a vow that promises shalt be revealed.  ----- Conch Shell Conch shell, conch shell part buried in the sand Washed inland from the sea to settle upon land. Come blow your great horn across the deep ocean That mermaids sweetly sing of love with emotion. I shall hold you to my ear I may listen to waves Come whisper to me softly, of shores and caves. Play to me haunting notes, echo`s from the deep Awakens spirits of the sea from a calming sleep. In ancient mythical lore King Neptune rules the sea He still survives in fantasy that only mermaids see. The magic of the dolphins that play above the foam Their mystical song of lore and the sonic call home Conch shell Conch shell I would take you home with me But you are not mine to keep you belong to the sea.  ----- Geronimo The Brave An Apache brave once stood proud and tall He was to be the greatest chief of them all. For love and loyalty for his Indian race He had ridden to war with painted face. He fought for Arizona his tribes own land His name was Geronimo who led the band There were plenty wounded blood did flow But he rode right on with his arrow and bow. It was to be their home and was their right But still they had lost their relentless fight. Conditional surrender to a General Crook Saved for reference in the great log book. They had taken him from his dwelling place Geronimo along with his Chiricahua race. To obey strange laws of the generals men Signed and sealed by a feather quill pen. They promised he`d return within two years To peaceful reservation with no more fears. Promises were broken the white man lied A prisoner for twenty years before he died. It is said that was how the west was won With bow and arrow against a fearful gun. But Geronimos spirit shall still stay alive For the Apache nation that now survive.  ----- Memory Of Trees Somewhere there were trees, swaying in the breeze They would often speak to me rustling autumn leaves. I would listen to their grief how their dwindling away To make much more space for the humans of today. What about our life here in this forest looking bare What about the wildlife does no one really care? Where do all the birds go if they cannot rest When there`s no trees to build their cosy nest. Trees are getting rarer to make room for mankind So much room they want are they out of their minds? Where is the green belt they promised us forever Those words that were false broken, or whatever. It sadly breaks our hearts making all us trees sigh For what was once strong shall now most surely die.  ----- Mystic Myth When King Neptune became ruler of the waves Upon an island with darkened mystical caves. On the calming of the deep oceanic water A mermaid had held her newborn daughter. She sang a song which was delightful to hear Within the midst of a red sky`s celestial sphere. Of magical moons and a bright floating star And fading rainbows which arched from afar. Of beings that moved on land with no tails With skin covered bones with no silver scales. They had walked on Earths land for evermore From strange shipswrecks that drifted ashore. Mermaids were once to be borne of the sea But was this a myth were they meant to be?  ----- Oceanic Love Oh come gently ye breezes from the ocean Touching softly with waves of warm devotion. I feel the pulse of passion arise from the deep Where strong flowing currents shant ever sleep. The wildness of the oceans turbulant storm With gigantic surfs from their abundant form. I can hear only madness of this angry ocean And the cry of the seagulls lost within motion. Oh come thee now thy lost spirit of the night Shalt thou not return from this dark unto light. For I feel thy ripplets of sweet love divine That promises true you shalt soon be mine. When the tidal surf flows inland from sea Oh come then my lover return love to me. So warm thy kisses and calmer thy charms With passion now spent I remain in thy arms.  ----- Only A Woman I am meant to be loved not understood I wish you could when I feel you should. Sometimes I`m sad and I dont know why I feel so dejected hard done by and cry. Just want everything to go my own way Why should I wait I could have it today. When I fall in love I love with passion Never know love may go out of fashion. When I state my facts I argue whats right Do not dispute for this could last all night. Dont ever give up on me If you are my man But handle with care for I am only a woman.  ----- Perfumed Garden Sweet scented gardens are a perfect bliss To lay where the honeyed dew drops kiss. Upon soft moss beds of sweet campion lace With a lovers warm and tender embrace. Contented are we beneath the blue sky Watching the fluffy white clouds float by. Lost in a dream then enclosed in his arms, Of sweet caresses so soothing and calm. Whispers of love oh those sensual sighs Endearing kisses bequeath misted eyes. Intoxicating perfume of scented blooms As the sun goes down and darkness looms. A perfect haven for romance and bliss To lay where the honeyed dew drops kiss.  ----- Revenge So deep in the heart of a green wooded glade With his hand on the hilt of a long sword blade A revengeful knight sped to his true lovers aid. Beneath the boughs upon a soft earthy loam His fiery stallion snorting hot breaths of foam In his plight to fetch his true loved one home. For kidnapped was she and then stolen away By a dark knight upon this her most fated day To be tethered and bound, and forced to obey. It was a full moon waxing betwixt those clouds Shadowing the path beneath the tree`s boughs For tonight he shall find his true love he vowed. A stallions hoof prints now clearly to be found On a pathway that twisted round and around And her golden trinket lay near on the gound. The trinket she had dropped most purposely So he tethered his steed to the nearest tree Treading furtively for his true lover to free. The darker Knight now stood bravely in front Already anticipating a most needed affront Brandishing his sword, in a show to confront. They came both together in this deadly duel Swords were aflashing like priceless jewels Which one shall meet the bitter end so cruel. Then souls of rage had screamed unto the night Like an unrest spirit that was lost within flight Now haunting with vengeance until they reunite. When a sharpened sword thrust through his chest The dark knight then slain, was laid down to rest And a bold black raven took flight from her nest.  ----- This is Love - Arabian A couple fell in love, one fine day they wed. Happy both together in all they did and said Until one day their lives were filled with dread. Called as a soldier for war he had to fight They both lay together for only just one night A future on hold was neither fair nor right. So off to the middle east they sent him afar Wrenching loves emotions and leaving a scar Without much warning and really quite bizarre. A couple of years went by with very little news She felt in her heart that she would he excuse Knowing it was with her he would rather choose. Time came to pass when a note was in the mail To say he would be coming home without fail But not quite complete and most extremely frail. He arrived in a wheelchair never to walk again His legs just a memory he once had back then But he had survived more than most other men. He had thanked his guardian angel from up above For the grief left behind to return again hereof Unto his beloved of whom shall treasure this love. For nothing could change the love that was there Understanding affection and tender loving care Their love had grown stronger a life time to share.  ----- Unrest Spirit Come unrest spectre of this darkened night Ye who floats thro` castle walls by tallow light. Thy haunted palid face with ne-er a breath What aileth thee to bequeath thy early death. Shadowed image of thee who once was whole Visions of passion engraved within thy soul. Ere trapped betwixt life and heavenly source A saddened presence void of spiritual force. To have sadly perished from a broken heart Thou were not prepared for thy life to depart. Broken in two thy heart hath been shaken Thy life and thy love with sorrow hath taken. Deep inner vision thy gracious spirit beholds Unto thy beloved in whose arms thou enfold.  back to list |
Maggie CusickHere beside you in the dim twilight hours lying entwined among grasses and flowers watching the moon dance between distant cloud myriads of stars glittering and proud the throb of your heart echoing with mine the deep tender kiss utterly divine night holds us close as desire fills our heart where clouds cover all hiding Eros's dart |
Jem FarmerThere is a picture that lingers inside my mind, Like a fingerprint that someone left behind. I see it in the dawn of the morning light And through the day ‘til I fall asleep at night. It is the face that set my heart to a fire In those wanton flames that called upon desire. My racing pulse that missed a beat, yet I wait As words fall and fears begin to dissipate. Inviting joy to touch me where I have lain Beneath stars I whisper her name once again Through the long night I seek a different place As beauty is only found within her face. And while I hold her from deep within my heart No time or distance can dare keep us apart. Although we both may feel loneliness and loss We both know it’s just one bridge we have to cross
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Peggy NelsonDay before Easter old dog lay still on floor She’s our dog love her after she does her chore family Mom needs help with eggs for company Josh drew on eggys bright for guest of many Looked in room at josh and dog, Mom thought funny Saying to Josh, meant basket eggy’s honey thought you said color Eggy for tomorrow Look Mommy! Eggy our Dog is pretty now  ----- Deer Emotions Emotions pouring down like a blue raindrop Watching muddy Bunny Rabbits cleanse, then hop Emotions carried to a land of wonder Why, alone and melting away like a deer? Wondering what In the world did she did wrong Forsaken, melting like an old time blues song Dwelling where devils color emotions red Red, blue flames bringing deer to fight psyche dead Those with no care on Easter Day be haunted Each Easter Day from flames of deer not wanted  ----- Flaming - Arabic Flaming tales of war, war; how can we learn love ? A book teaching man the cruelness of past shove! A book warning NOT to cause war, find the love! Too many religions each with point of views Some men follow malicious ways in church rules Have you established true wisdom of cruel do’s Is there one to express love instead of war? Read book maybe you’ll be drawn to war floor Does world have pleasures in ill-use to score? Fathom Bible as betraying all false sages Drop book, if you can’t relate to love pages it’s up to your muse to find loving stages  ----- Motherly Love She held me closely in her tender loving arms She protected me from discomforting harms She loved me with her devoted loving heart She nurtured me and adored me from the start She helped me walk and at times watched me fall She held my hand caringly when I was small She passed on to me her most gentle love She taught me mystical wonders up above She was always there in my deepest of hurts She kissed my scares; washed away the dirts’ She was my nurse at times when I was sick She was my guardian angel God's grand pick She was always deep within my soul and heart She remained there at times so very far apart She understood I loved her through all years She and I shared many years shedding tears She was indeed the best Mother love could bring She was my Mother she meant everything XOXOXOXOXO XOXOXOXOXO I Loved Mother all she did for me I shall love her throughout eternity I’ve written many poems for her to know I know she knew how much I loved her so I gave her one last kiss her life came to an end I know she and I had been the best of friends I thank God for his gift bestowed upon me A most cherished gift on earth; my Mommy  ----- Simple? Did you notice the smile on a child’s face? Did you hear humans laughter in crowded place? Did you see gold, blue; red colors on the leaves? Did you see the sparkling sun across blue seas? Did you hear soft music and wanted to slow dance? Did you dream lead you to your perfect Romance? Will loving feeling cover world with fresh start? Did you fell warming thoughts from soul and heart? Did you grin, laugh in dreams of peaceful world love? Will the whole world grin, laugh and ever feel Love? ----- Threads Of Our Love - Arabian Mathnawi I felt safe with your warmth, the warmth you freely gave me A mere glance you gave me meant so much to me Images inhaled of you, you where everywhere protecting me You always melted away restless views that were twisted and bent I never worried, you had the abilities to succeed and being content I never once doubted your tender loving ways you being my present Never felt so free be with you Our expectations came easily for our beliefs of every aspect of our desires of our family dreams of love come true, Never thought you would leave daily Never in wildest dreams, dreamt you leaving so abruptly My love for you I held within my heart shining brightly Today my mind is restless, I'll I can do is cherish you continually Every moment of each day memories shared with past actions being loved and cared by your precious compassions of unconditional Love and glorious beautifications You amazed all with your knowledge in quieting anger When our nations rivals tried casting unkind, ruthless danger Yes, we had failures at times yet we shared them together All the lows at times carried well and released the burdened Times suffered yet we survived the bad times that were assigned Till that day; that day of haziness we never dreamed nor imagined No one could tear the threads of our hearts apart until that day Our bonding was exceptional until all future dreams leaped away That Day when you were murdered and God took you away  ----- What Is The Greatest Gift Given To You What Is The Greatest Gift Given To You, An expensive gift to hold and cherish true? True gifts are not measured in terms of money A gift that brings tender love from your honey? Many gifts you could possibly receive There’s only one that stands out if you believe The gift is not comprehended well today A gift tossed and replaced with despise each day Four horsemen will appear with worldwide warning Apocalypse weeks away, millions morning Mother of all conflicting wars will erupt Nuclear horror; prepare it will corrupt!!! Will you get down on knees Easter and pray To a gift from God, Jesus Christ Easter Day?  back to list |
Ryter RoethicleWill you walk with me tonight along the beach? Warm summer walks are well out of reach Wear something warm, it is growing chilly. Autumn is fast approaching winter really. And though more north and setting early It shouldn’t raise any feelings that are surly The suns setting is worthy of a look or two. And still provide a more than Heavenly view. The moon extends her fingers into the waves Giving her everything that she really craves Intimately uniting the Heavens with the sea Touching her nightly where the sun should be. The sea doesn’t regret the suns desire to leave Nor in the morning does she the moon bereave. ----- Bush Storm Scarlet waves of clouds madly drifting by me Gravity rolling them noisily to infinity. A dingo howls on the distant grassy plain Before retiring to the shadows once again. Then flashes of light crash down from the skies I see it reflected in that wild creature’s eyes. Not stalking me, but genuinely afraid I realise for protection towards me it’s made. Lightning flashes again in its dazzled eyes And fear overcomes its desire for a prize. As nuzzle meets palm and friendship is made Permanent under that heavenly cascade. He sits close to me as I stroke and I talk I step from our shelter and to my tent walk. He hesitates, looks at me, then walks away Things are different between us; perhaps, one day...  ----- Final Curtain Finally there’s no time left for us to weep It’s become instead a time when all must sleep. There’s no way possible that we can pretend With certainty as darkness comes it all will end. Then watch as one by one the stars fade and die Ultimately leaving a vast, empty sky. There’ll be no sun to rise and no wondrous dawn Because the moon and stars will all soon be gone. On the stage of life no-one’ll be left to play All the actors will be gone, no lines to say. The final curtain falls, all of life is through And with the dimming lights I bid "Adieu" ----- Herbst Liebe, (Autumn Love) Come and take my hand my autumn angel The lush green colours are no longer visible. We are no longer in spring or summer bright The days are now sharing equal time with night. Our legacy is now the colours of red and gold The harvest’s been gathered and the crops are sold. South winds from the cooler seas now chill the air Evenings sat by a fire in a comfy chair. Time at last is ours in our own private nest It’s what we have earned, time alone is best Our future life is stretching out forever Let us walk this path now and stay together Come and take my hand my autumn angel The lush green colours are no longer visible.  ----- I am the wind I am the wind breathing new life on the land See how the spirals twist and spin on the sand. Each breath refreshes you, and brings forth new life, Or can be bitter and cut you like a knife. I am the wind that happily plays on the water A calm and gentle wind making waves scutter. Or turning the brightest day to murky gloom And scattering waves into foaming spume. Making wave upon wave crash onto the strand A dead, brown sea that comes alive at my hand. Respect me humans there’s much blown by the wind. For with too little respect you may well find....... ----- Kiss flavoured Wind Kiss flavoured winds consume my every thought Over mounds of passion so easily brought. Silk draped subtle and yet so easy to find With lips brushing skin, naked in my mind. Like a brush giving flesh form in pastel strokes Those kiss flavoured winds are my very thoughts.. Hear wind off an ocean as it whispers and calls Light guitar strum sounding echoes from walls. Matching heartbeats that throb with sensing ends Embracing thighs, once again loving transcends. Movement and touching and sounds that enthrals As a kiss flavoured wind whispers and calls.  ----- Olfactory Presence The dog’s been walked as the evening draws nigh And I smell the sweet roses as I pass close by. I’ve stopped for a while to sniff in the view, There’s Roses, Jacarandas and Lavender to. The front of the house is where the day began It was the first place to see and feel the sun. Long shadows now cover the front of my place As if it was now some kind of evening race. Darker and darker and now my garden’s hid, But of the scent the night will never be rid. ----- Presencia en mi mente - Arabian Methnawi You have become a presence in my mind. My thoughts once controlled and of a simple kind Now wander off far into space and leave me blind I don’t like it, for no longer’s my mind free Instead, my waking time is taken with thee And thinking of things that could perhaps be In my minds eye I see you everywhere When thinking about someone for whom I care Willing in every way my life to alter. Each waking moment of my time is brought So naturally for you to invade my thoughts In things so different now my life is wrought. All this I obtained for such a simple fee Of the future, of love and of you and me Someone to share my life with so easily. ----- Providence I wonder was man not created in the womb? See him emerging from the Stygian gloom That is his birthplace here on Earth each time And the body is washed to remove the slime. In time the eyes open and the vision clears Beginning the time to rise and face all fears. What is Fear? It is simply a man made thing Created in his mind by his imagining. What happened to lessons previously learned Why cannot they after the birth return? Instead we learn and grow, and then in time We shrink, forget and finally return to slime. Is this the plan of what life is meant to be, I wonder is this what’s meant by Destiny? ----- Seasons A time of life - Summers Mathnawi This period in life is all of natures own A time of life for all and all that is grown. Its splendours surround as new life abounds As flowers awaken and spring up from the ground Fresh fruit is lush and begins to ripen The swelling leaves colour and widely open. All around life is thriving, growing with zest And every plant and every beast is at its best. It can be worn for a while this summer’s crown A time of life for all and all that is grown. A time of rest.........Winters Mathnawi All plants are stripped not at all like their best For this period of time it’s a time of rest. Beneath the earth all are asleep and still Bulbs lay dormant and seeds await natures will. The kernels of trees lie protected in the ground Waiting the time they can at last be unbound. The earth’s energy also needs time to refill The fields lie fallow, gladly paying their bill So for three months nought will disturb Natures rest Because everyone knows the old farmer knows best. back to list |
Dana RoweNewton Minnow once called T. V. a wasteland but I have a better candidate at hand this medium has made itself quite foolish employing pundits all who are quite churlish political chest-thumping louts and bozos inspire audiences of brain-dead dodos don't consider, inquire or even think the orator's anaesthesia interlinks odd ideas with unproven assertions. idiots follow their aual exertions. rapid jargon repels consideration divergent ideas receive conflation outright lies laid down with contrived points of proof rebuttals meet with interruptions and spoofs talk radio merged to constant politics announcers who are animatronics gone is the source of happy entertainment bringing the train of state into derailment there is one way to run them into the ditch carpe diem, reach over and turn the switch. |
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