The following link connects you to this early C20 lyrical poem, written in rhymed couplets:
I would be dismal with all the fine pearls of the crown of a king;
But I can talk plainly to you, you little blue flower of the Spring!
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Here in the heart of September the world that I walk in is full
Of the hot happy sound of the shearing, the rude heavy scent of the wool.
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Soon would I tire of all riches or honours or power that they fling;
But you are my own, of my own folk, you little blue flower of the Spring!
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I was around by the cherries to-day; all the cherries are pale:
The world is a woman in velvet: the air is the colour of ale.
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I would be dismal with all the fine pearls of the crown of a king;
But I can give love-talk to you, you little blue flower of the Spring!
John Shaw Neilson (Australian Lyricist poet of early C20)
***** Please read these notes before considerations of entry:
(i) There is no deep thought in the poem. In fact, the outstanding feature of this poem is its artistic simplicity of diction.
(ii) There are several delights of the spring listed here: 'the hot happy sound of the shearing'; the 'rude heavy scent of the wool'; 'a woman in velvet'; the sunny atmosphere is a place where 'the air is the colour of ale'; and, in the orchard, "all the cherries are pale".
(iii) It is the little blue flower that is in complete accord with the poet's feelings and mood towards the spring.
(iv) The over-riding figure of speech is the apostrophe of address to the little blue flower, a living thing; a simple thing.
SPECIFICATIONS: Please write a lyrical poem where you speak of or to a flower no matter the season or colour of the flower. Keep it simple and do not rush me with a gush of images. Do this in 10 to 14 poetic lines.
Please check your grammar and spelling.
Closed for judging
- Closed for judging on October 28
- Rewards: Gold: 1200, Silver: 800, Bronze: 400, Honorable mention: 5 people
- This is not an anonymous contest - the editors will be able to see your name.
Preliminary Finalists
As the editor reads entries, favorites are added to this list. (8)-
O tiny flow'r there are whole fields of you!
I've never seen a sky so bright a blue.by Purrsanthema 16 lines, 43 comments, on Oct 14 11:32 AM• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
I sense your presence long before I see you with my eyes,
Your essence drifts forevermore like dreams and changing tides ...• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
by Night Hope 29 lines, 10 comments, on Jul 17 1:01 PM. In Contest, Life, Love, Nature, Spiritual, Inspiration
• Commented on by judge. Prewrite [remove] -
• Commented on by judge. [remove]
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Small gem of meadow and of field,
to your beauty now I yield.• Commented on by judge. [remove]
Entries [16]
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You’re just a small primrose but oh how the sight of you cheers;
Transporting me back through the decades that make up my years.by Pattiboo 15 lines, 12 comments, on Oct 12 11:35 AM
• Commented on by judge. -
There's a certain poignant beauty
about flowers in the Spring;by ecrivain01 26 lines, 10 comments, on May 20 5:21 PM 2008• Commented on by judge. Prewrite -
Lavender, lavender, Hidcote and Munster, all marking the garden by little blue rows,
Waiting their turn to be dried for the winter (Shouldby hendiadys 13 lines, 2 comments, on Oct 12 6:54 PM• Commented on by judge. -
• Commented on by judge.
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Forget-Me-Not, I'm annual
or some would say, perennial;by ea 19 lines, 5 comments, on Oct 13 8:39 AM• Commented on by judge. -
Tramping these dark fields
Brooding somber moodsby uldiah 13 lines, 2 comments, on Oct 23 6:14 PM• Commented on by judge.
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Comments
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A wondrous contest ...
I shall try to wake my olde worlde Muse ...
Love to you, Ron. Did you receive F to G? -
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F to G?
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Flax to Gold! I sent it to you. You should have received it by now. I am sending six books at a time to support my limited budget.
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Silly me! Yes, thank you. I have!
It is a beautiful book, Myra. It goes on a special shelf where published poems of mine are kept.
Thank you ever so much.
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Thank YOU, Poet!
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I will surely try and whip up a happy poem for this contest... Will go sit and soak up some sun in my garden while looking for inspiration.
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Aw, that little poem tugs at my heart strings. Forget-me-nots, maybe?
KL -
I may visit these several times before leaving comments and making my personal selections, however; Andantino will make final awards. There are some beautiful entries.
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