I have never really considered poetry to be my strong suit. Nevertheless, I have built up a nice little collection. Recently, I was alerted to a poetry competition taking place here in Bucks County for Bucks County residents only and sponsored by the Doylestown Bookshop. Since I qualify all around, and my novels are set in Doylestown, where the bookshop resides, I decided to give it a try.
The rules call for three poems, no more, no less. The question was how to pick the right three… When in doubt, ask for help. My dear friend, Roger Moore (no not 007), poet, published author and academic, read and critiqued eight of my poems and helped to select the three I will submit. In addition, he suggested an order for them that actually tells an eerie little story. You’ve read them before but here they are again and with an audio track as well. What do you think of the tale these tell?
Tales Of War
Gathering dust and clinging webs
The attic cache lies in wait
Trunks and boxes long untouched
The time has come to investigate
Sepia photos, cracked and faded
Sticking pages, broken binding
Letters home, bound with twine
The tales of war, I’m finding
Peruse the pictures, study the faces
So full of youthful determination
His postures straight, those twinkling eyes
Would soon witness extermination
Ravaged, disfigured, lungs burned by gas
Returned to England, war scarce survived
Haunted by nightmares, wracked by cough
This broken man came home to die
War upon his sweetheart, laid the burden
Tore away the chance for a happy life
For the babe that quickened in 1914
Was all that he left his beloved wife
Pitch Black
She was as welcome
As a ray of sunshine…
On a parched desert world
Devoid of life
Atmosphere burned away
By hydrocarbons
She was as wanted
As a downpour…
On the day of the funeral
The mourners soaked
With cold rain
And bitter tears
She was as loved
As an armistice…
On the final day of a war
In which your son
Was the last one
To die
She was as pitch black
As the agony in her broken heart
Night Work
Silence flees from the forest
At the snap of twigs beneath boots
The burden grows ever more heavy
While carefully avoiding tree roots
This menial task is performed
Under deepest cover of night
With great exertion and haste
The toiler must keep out of sight
As milky eyes stare up blankly
And porcelain skin seems to glow
Cool flesh, ragged nails and torn clothing
Beneath loamy soil, sink low
Then with the deed accomplished
Straighten up, breathe deep and be brave
Leave the girl’s corpse to rot slowly
In her exclusive woodland grave
Wonderful poems, and Roger ( much smarter than 007) was a great help with the selection. Good luck!
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I didn’t really do anything. Meg’s poems were little gems waiting to be discovered. This is Meg’s work, not mine. Meg: you are very generous to acknowledge me, thank you so much, … and yes, I love the ‘hidden’ narrative.
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Yes, but you were able to pick three that I had never associated as being a themed group! I am submitting them this week! Thank you for your advice!
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I wish you good luck with the competition, Meg. Win or lose: you’ll still be a winner in my books.
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Aw! Thank you so much!
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Thank you, Pam. Yes sometimes an objective opinion is just what you need!
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Wow, he’s right. That is an eery story that they all tell together. Good luck on the contest!! ❤
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Thanks, Vic! I’ve never entered anything in competition before. But since this is small and local, it’s not as intimidating!
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Me either. Seems a really good place to start!
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Fingers crossed! 😜
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All are great, but the second one really struck a chord for me.
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Thank you, and odd how they fit together. I’m rather fond of that middle one, too.
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By the way, poetry may not be your “specialty”, but good writing is good writing, not matter what form is used to express it. 😃
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I appreciate that! Thank you again! 😃
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I love hearing poets speaking their work. Good luck in the comp!
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Thank you so much!
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Meg, I know you didn’t write them as a trio, but they really do flow together in a very sad way! Wishing you much luck with the competition!
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I didn’t! And they were all written apart in time. But wow! They really work thematically. Thanks so much. I won’t know results until the end of April. Fingers crossed!
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🙂 Pulling for you!
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Thank you!
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Superb Meg, and you are a far better poet than you give yourself credit for. I do so love to hear them as well as read them.
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Thank you Peter. I appreciate that. I read so many talented poets here on WP that I feel inadequate by comparison.
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With your many talents that is the last thing you should be feeling, but no doubt that drives you on to better things. A case of “Every day, in every way, I am getting better and better.”
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You are too kind! But you are right, I am trying very hard to improve!
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My wife tells me that I am very trying!
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Ha! Well now… 😃
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Oh this is a dark trilogy. Love it and good luck.
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It is. I never associated the three but oh how well they work together. I only hope the judges aren’t suburban soccer moms hoping for love poetry…. then I am sunk
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Would you want to win that award if that was the case?
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That is an excellent point. The answer is no, not a chance
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That’s good
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I like the Max Ernst you posted today. I feel silly commenting again and of course I can’t re-like it. Hope you had a good day.
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It was a long weekend of work… you are never silly in my book commenting on a great piece of art. Hope you are fine
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Thank you. I know but we already had a lengthy exchange… I’m doing rather well for a change – writing ferociously, completed a piece of artwork last night, so yes rather well.
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good Woman’s Day…dear Meg 🙂
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Thank you, Antonio!
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These are all wonderful Meg!! Whatever the outcome, you will be so much richer for the experience!. It’s a win-win. Best of luck! – Lola 🌺
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Thank you so much, Lolo. Fingers crossed! Hope you had a good weekend!
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Hi Meg!, I am new at WordPress and i just came across at your site and I love your poetry and also you have a very lovely sweet voice . I am following now and I hope to see more of your work. Nice to meet You lady.
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Thank you, Ernesto! Much appreciated!
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Excellent work! I’m rooting you on!
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Thank you! I’m hoping to work up to submitting short stories for publication as well as beginning the query process again. Self promotion is not my bag!
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Good choices, they tell a wonderfully creepy story.
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Thank you. I will find out how they are received some time in April.
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Dear Meg. These poem are powerful and wonderful . Needs to be read by more people.
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Thank you so very much. I am honored!
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You honored me and us with the amazing poetry. I believe. When a writer or poet is read. We bring them to life.
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This makes me immensely happy. ❤
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Reblogged this on johncoyote and commented:
Powerful poetry by a talented writer. Please read and enjoy.
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Lovely ! Was wondering if anyone had any tips on building a poetry blog as have written for years but have no clue how to blog about it ! Again much love for these poems Meg !
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Thank you so much! I’m so happy you enjoyed them. My advice would be to follow other poets here and see what and how they write. You’ll find some inspiration I’m sure! 🙏
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Ah brilliant , thank you 🙌 a little advice goes a long way !
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My pleasure!
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