Okay. I am extending the contest to give more people a chance to enter. It appears that I had the box checked for one entry only and didn't know it. I've been ill and haven't been paying as much attention as I should have, I guess.
Although we all have problems of one kind or another, it is often difficult to empathize with others because we are too wrapped up in ourselves and the minutiae of our daily lives. One of the people on this site who is always helpful and remarkably cheerful under the most strenuous circumstances is Lyndon, the moderator for the Winklings Groups. Lyndon is having health problems which could be very serious indeed, and I think the people on this site who have benefitted from his excellent advice and ready sympathies might like to express that to him.
I would like for anyone who wants to be supportive of Mr. Wiseman to write a poem telling him how much we appreciate all that he has done for us over the years.
The prompt is Dylan Thomas's wonderful poem, Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night:
DO NOT GO GENTLE INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
All of the usual rules apply of course. No bashing of anybody for any of the usual reasons, although how that could possibly apply in a contest like this is hard to say. Still, knowing the innate orneriness of the human condition, I'm throwing it in anyway.
Please be careful of grammar, spelling and punctuation.
Remember, life is short and the good people we know in this life may not always be with us. We should make sure that they know that we value them while they are with us.
Poems entered here should be positive and life-affirming, and may be humorous but should not be risible. If you feel compelled to write "religious" poems, try to make them different somehow. Not the same old song and dance. I do not want to see:
God is great,
God is good.
I believe religion heals
and thank him for my meals on wheels.
or ... any of its sorry counterparts. If you want to write a good religious poem, go read Gerald Manley Hopkins or John Milton. Then come back and write a religious poem that matches one of theirs. Lyndon is an extraordinarily good poet, and I'd like to see some extraordinarily good poems here in his honor.
Points donated:
Night Hope; 1600
suseann 500
Thanks to those who will wish to participate.
Jim Dunlap
Although we all have problems of one kind or another, it is often difficult to empathize with others because we are too wrapped up in ourselves and the minutiae of our daily lives. One of the people on this site who is always helpful and remarkably cheerful under the most strenuous circumstances is Lyndon, the moderator for the Winklings Groups. Lyndon is having health problems which could be very serious indeed, and I think the people on this site who have benefitted from his excellent advice and ready sympathies might like to express that to him.
I would like for anyone who wants to be supportive of Mr. Wiseman to write a poem telling him how much we appreciate all that he has done for us over the years.
The prompt is Dylan Thomas's wonderful poem, Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night:
DO NOT GO GENTLE INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
All of the usual rules apply of course. No bashing of anybody for any of the usual reasons, although how that could possibly apply in a contest like this is hard to say. Still, knowing the innate orneriness of the human condition, I'm throwing it in anyway.
Please be careful of grammar, spelling and punctuation.
Remember, life is short and the good people we know in this life may not always be with us. We should make sure that they know that we value them while they are with us.
Poems entered here should be positive and life-affirming, and may be humorous but should not be risible. If you feel compelled to write "religious" poems, try to make them different somehow. Not the same old song and dance. I do not want to see:
God is great,
God is good.
I believe religion heals
and thank him for my meals on wheels.
or ... any of its sorry counterparts. If you want to write a good religious poem, go read Gerald Manley Hopkins or John Milton. Then come back and write a religious poem that matches one of theirs. Lyndon is an extraordinarily good poet, and I'd like to see some extraordinarily good poems here in his honor.
Points donated:
Night Hope; 1600
suseann 500
Thanks to those who will wish to participate.
Jim Dunlap
Contest is Over
- Contest was judged on May 1, 2008
- Rewards: Gold: 1200, Silver: 500, Bronze: 300, Honorable mention: 10 people
- Final notes: Okay. I want to thank everyone who entered this contest. Ron is a terrific person and I think it was extremely good of you to let him know that you agree with me on this. I am giving a lot of HM's this time around, which I normally wouldn't do, but there have been some excellent entries here, and I think it's a good idea to recognize them.
Thanks again to everyone involved. I'd have given more HM's but points are an issue. Ten HM's is 300 points by itself.
Good luck with your writing in the future and congrats to the winners.
Contest Winners
- Error: Unable to find finalist item 4045581, it seems to have been deleted :( [remove]
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My numbered memories are paltry few
but this remains forever here for you!• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
I’ve been sitting here for ages
and I haven’t got an inkling• Commented on by judge. [remove] - Error: Unable to find finalist item 4046581, it seems to have been deleted :( [remove]
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by paperparadox 30 lines, 10 comments, on Nov 19 4:07 AM 2007. In A poem for Lyndon
Honorable mention
• Commented on by judge. Prewrite [remove] -
The flowers still grow
fluorescent against the dismal rain• Commented on by judge. Prewrite [remove] -
• Viewed by judge. Prewrite [remove]
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Happy Birthday Ron!by waydownuponjoy 35 lines, 5 comments, on Apr 4 7:35 AM 2008. In Contest, Tribute Honorable mention
• Commented on by judge. Prewrite [remove]
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expect the unexpected...by Justplainwaynethen 57 lines, 3 comments, on Apr 17 2:36 AM 2008. In Humor, Lampoon, Unusual, Unexpected Honorable mention
• Commented on by judge. [remove]
Silver trophy winner
Bronze trophy winner
Entries [21]
1 - 21 of 21
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He treads a wise path counts blessings in abundanceby frownsnfreckles 2 lines, 6 comments, on Mar 21 12:38 PM 2008• Commented on by judge. Prewrite
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He makes me dream my rocky face,
distant mountain, embalming featherby kaibab 58 lines, 5 comments, on Mar 21 7:26 PM 2008
• Commented on by judge. -
• Commented on by judge.
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I think we worship at sunrise
with blinking eyes, and clearing thoughtsby Peteskid 26 lines, 5 comments, on Mar 24 12:02 AM 2008• Commented on by judge. -
What armor then is needed
if protected by respect?by RyanosaurusWrecks 21 lines, 4 comments, on Mar 30 1:14 AM 2008• Commented on by judge. -
As I wander through my wonders
with a soul that has a thirstby PageTurner 48 lines, 7 comments, on Apr 13 12:23 PM 2008. In Personal Thoughts, Love, Life, Hope, Spiritual, Friendship, Dedication• Commented on by judge. -
I never got to know you well, Ron, also known as Lyndon.by Judith Chandler 32 lines, 4 comments, on Apr 29 4:29 PM 2008. In Contest• Commented on by judge.
Add a comment
Comments
1 - 25 of 25
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Great gesture
Bookmarked 
Hope you get many entries 
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You have a heart of gold Jim and I'm sure Ron will appreciate this gesture immensely. I hope he will be alright and I wish you well with this contest. Laura x
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Great contest!
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This is a beautiful thing you are doing for a beautiful human being. I don't know Ron personally, not sure we've crossed paths even, but I'd like him to know I'm praying for his health and well-being in every way.
This life is not easy, but when we make the time to support each other, we certainly can make it a better journey.
Sending love and prayer and get well wishes to Ron Wiseman. Keep the faith!
Kel
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I'll have to see what I can do
Ron was always there to show support
and inspire me! ~ Nicky♥
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Book MArked. I have known Ron since 2004. Hope you get lots of entries! I will try my hardest to come up a tribute. I know he has been in poor health for quite some time. I only pray he fights and prays!
Shana -
What a wonderful contest to a great person and mentor here on AP. Thanks for pointing me this way. Not sure I'll be able to come up with anything in time as things here are a bit hetic right now but I'll try
Ruth -
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I probably won't close this one ...
immediately at the end of the 13 days anyway. I will probably extend it to give people a chance to enter who are too busy or whatever in the first round.
Thanks for stopping by.
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What a great contest for a lovely man. I shall book mark it
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A drink for Dylan Thomas.
You are good hearted people. The best in all of us shine in your efforts.
m -
This is a lovely tribute for a lovely man. Ron as helped me a number of times and I consider him to be a good friend. I hope to enter this contest for the sheer joy of giving him something back. Val
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Dear Jim
I am honored by those who have entered here and by many who have not who have sent me lovely messages because of your absolutely kind and compassionate gesture.
I shall not quote Mark Twain on things being exaggerated. The truth is that with the problem I have I could go tomorrow or in ten years. One thing, with Congestive Heart Failure from a stiff heart muscle, suffering is limited. Well, until a suffocating end but death often comes before that progression, thankfully.
Mortality is grim subject in the midst of life.
I shall continue to be me as well as I can. Thank heavens for Santa's little helpers.
Again, Jim, thank you very much indeed. Ron.
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May we enter more than one poem?
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Naturellement. ;)
Of course you can. -
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Check your settings please.
"Replaced your earlier entry since this contest only allows one entry per person." -
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Sorry. I've been rather ill ...
and haven't been keeping up on things. I've extended the contest for two more weeks so anybody who wishes can still enter. -
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Thank you Jim. Best wishes.
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This is a wonderful contest for Ron. I am sorry I just saw it today. I will try to rile up that pesky muse of mine.
Thank you for your tender heart.
- joanne -
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Humble and grateful...
Thank you ever so much for this fine gold trophy! Gratitude from me, most surely, and admiration for all the beautiful entries in this lovely contest. 
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Thank you for hosting this great contest for Ron and gathering the tributes of so many together. Thanks also for two HMs; congratulations to Melodies, Terry and Elfin, and the other contributors.
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Hi, congratulations to the winners, commiserations to the rest of us, Di
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Thanks for the HM. I am really pleased with that reward,
because I know who gave it to me
Thanks for hosting this contest for this wonderful man: Lyndon.
Matske.
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Every dedicated workhorse deserves timely recognition of their toil, and this contest has ably fit the bill in showcasing our thanks and gratitutude to our great leader, Ron.
So thank you to Jim, to all the entrants, and especially to Ron for being such a champion.
...Many thanks for the HM!
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Thankyou
I am so pleased to have been awarded bronze for this contest, moreso, because it as been lovely to actually honour a really nice person and to know that ones words have been acccepted as they were meant to be, spoken from the heart. I am so grateful Ron for all the advice and encouragement you have given me here on AP, a true Wizard of Oz. Val xx -
Ron, you bring out the best in us
Such a rare privilege to be part of this group of special people, all more productive than we might have been. If I truly had the 36-hour days I need, you would see a flood of appreciative commentary for all who have taken part here. Thank you.
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