And he dreamed he was in a cold, high place
like a mountain
high, so high he walked in mist and cloud;
before him stretched the blank ascent,
the steep side of the mountain.
A voice said Come higher.
And he began to climb.
After a little, clinging to a rock,
he found himself with only clouds above
and mist below.
He knew beyond the wall of mist
reigned fire.
His feet began to slip;
pebbles and rocks began ringing
beneath his feet.
He looked up, trembling in terror of death
and cried: Lord I can't come no higher.
After a moment, the voice repeated
quiet, strong, impossible to deny:
Come on son, come higher.
He knew he must, in face of death
follow the voice. He climbed again.
His feet slipped again.
When he thought he would fall
green, spiny leaves appeared before him.
Painful leaves, he held onto
and the voice said: Come higher.
Gabriel climbed; the wind blew
through his clothes, his feet bled,
his hands bled and still he climbed.
His legs grew numb. He trembled.
Still, before him, was cloud.
Below him, the roaring mist.
It was a dream, he knew, as he climbed
then of a sudden, clouds parted.
He felt the sun like a crown of glory
and he was peaceful in the field.
On the edge of the mountain
he was blessed, bathed and glorified
in the sun and stood like a god.
Morning was at the window.
Lying on his bed, tears ran down his face
for the vision he had seen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Task: Choose a classical book from prose literature (be it novel, novella or short story) and find yourself a "Found" poem in free verse. Multiple entries allowed.
You MUST give an accurate statement of where you have found your poetic discovery. Place this information in your notes.
My found poem above comes from James Baldwin's "Go Tell It on the Mountain". You can see how apposite my words chosen are to the title! It is a Corgi Book, 1963. Pages 127-8.
Contest is Over
- Contest was judged on April 2, 2008
- Rewards: Gold: 1200, Silver: 800, Bronze: 500
- Final notes: The judges concurred exactly on the placings. Especial thanks, again, to Pamela and Ron.
Congratulations to the author of "Hadrian's Lament for Antonius". An extraordinary poem; excellent selection; a fine vers libre casting of words. A handsome Winklings' GOLD.
"There is a Silence" is, too, a fine poem. We love the variety of entries especially the presence of this poem. SILVER at Winklings!
Bronze is awarded to the author of "Point of Decision". I have been talking about mood at the Forum. This poem begins, with repetition, to give the sensibility of a city, in the bitter cold weather, at night.
Congratulations to all who entered. At this point we do not know who you are, but it is satisfying to have a contest of high standing.
Lyndon.
Contest Winners
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by crystaldust 28 lines, 9 comments, on Mar 9 10:23 AM 2008. In Contest, Dark, Pain
Gold trophy winner
• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
There is a silence that cannot speak.
There is a silence that will not speak.by klassy lassy 47 lines, 17 comments, on Mar 2 1:24 AM 2008. In Found poem, Thoughts
Silver trophy winner
• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
It was winter. It was the city. It was night.
It was bitter cold.by MargaretG 37 lines, 6 comments, on Mar 1 2:31 PM 2008. In Literature, Found, Contest
Bronze trophy winner
• Commented on by judge. [remove]
Entries [11]
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Confessions of an English Opium Eaterby ears2hearyou 88 lines, 5 comments, on Mar 3 12:59 AM 2008. In Contest, Dark, Love, Contemporary, Society, Humanity, Sad• Commented on by judge.
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A narrow fellow in the grass
Further in summer than the birds
• Commented on by judge. -
I John,
who also am your brother,by ten thousand cicadas 86 lines, 7 comments, on Mar 10 2:15 AM 2008• Viewed by judge.
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Comments
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Heavens, Lyndon, talk about scaling the heights! Your poem is most impressive and inspiring enough to prompt me at least to try to find something.
Thank you for the idea. I hope we do you justice with lots of entries.
Joy (crystaldust)
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Thank you.
I am humbled.
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That is a great piece of poetry! I am also much impressed with Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak. This is a neat idea!
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A wonderful idea, loved the poem, found it quite moving.
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What a grand poem, Ron, and a grand idea for a contest.
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I have written one Found Poem in my past, and the research was most educational and entertaining. I love James Baldwin and "Go Tell it on the Mountain". I think Baldwin himself would be impressed with your poem, and most honored. I am book marking this contest. It is time for me to find another Found Poem. One of my favorite classics is "From Slavery to Freedom" by John Hope Franklin. When I saw this contest, I immediately retrieved the book from my shelf. It is falling apart, and quite delicate. I bought the enlarged paperback from a library book sale in 1972. I was very radical then, and this book helped calm me a bit. LOL
Thanks for hosting such an interesting contest, not only do I plan to enter but it will be grand day of reading to read the other entries.
Much Love ♥
Renee
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This is a marvellous verse and I could drink the very joy of POETRY. U have done a fab job here Lyndon!!
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Multiple Entries??
How many entries allowed per person? -
Ron and Pamela, thank you and Winklings for silver trophy on the found poem, There is a Silence...by Joy Kogowan. Now if I only wrote like that....!! I did enjoy the reading in my search for an entry. And Ron, I think a book of found poems would be a terrific endeavor, despite the work involved in managing copywrites. I learned what found poems were while attending poetry classes at a community college. Thank you, again.
~ Karen
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Thank you Ron and Pamela, for third place! Thank you Boris Pasternak, for beautiful words.
Congratulations to Joy and Karen.
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