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What's a Meta for?????

How about writing a poem that is a metaphor relating to some familiar saying, quote or proverb  we have heard all of our lives, such as "Don't cry over spilt milk" or "A stitch in time saves nine" or "Silence is Golden". Make the poem an example of the selected quote in a metaphorical way, without using the quote itself. Extra credit will be given to the entries that keep the reader guessing as long as possible which quote the poem is referring to. Any style may be used....multiple entries are acceptable. Previous published poems are acceptable. 300 points to the top selection. Print out the poem and then, underneath, the quote or saying the poem refers to.

This is a poem of mine which will serve as an example of what I want...


           The Mountain

The mountain stood within my sight
With jagged peaks that reached so high
They hid the twinkling stars at night
Embedded in the summer sky.

And, high upon the mountain's face
Clear waterfalls cascaded down
The side until they reached the base
To water fruit trees in the ground.

So held in awe, so struck was I
By this stone monument I spied
I bid my hill a fond farewell
And journeyed to the mountain's side.

But, as I stood there at the base,
The mountain did not seem so high
It's trees were barren, void of fruit
And water falls ran dry.

Then, as I stared into the night
Across the lonesome valley floor,
A mountain stood within my sight...
The hill I'd known before.

Now, sitting on that valley floor,
I am forced to pay the cost
For the hill that I thought mountainous
And the mountain that I lost.

(The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence)

Let your imagination fly and have some fun with it!!    


Contest is Over

  • Contest was judged on June 28, 2003
  • Rewards: Gold: 300
  • Final notes:

    Balladeer: Well, I must apologize to many of you because I obviously didn't make what I wanted very clear and that's my fault. I'm still new to this contest thing :) . I was hoping for poems that would exemplify a common saying or proverb to the point of, as the reader reaches the end of it, he can identify the phrase associated with it without being told, such as has happened with my example poem every time I have read it in public. Not only was that impossible for most of the entries, there were sayings and proverbs I had never heard of in my life! LOL! So it is my fault for not making it much clearer and I apologize to all, hopefully with no bad feelings. Should you care to second-guess that evaluation, simply read you poem to a friend and ask them to identify the object you are referring to. At any rate, the best poems will not win but the best poems coming closest to following my interpretation of the guidelines will. Myron, you had the best poem by far in terms of quality and imagination. I felt the same appreciation for it everyone you perform it in front of feels...and that's a compliment. I just couldn't define your phrase as being an old saying or proverb and I apologize if my lack of direction led you astray. At any rate, my choices are made and I appreciate all of your participation in this endeavor. Peace....

Entries [9]

1 - 9 of 9
  • Swab the Deck!
    For ye of kin know well the virgn bride
    In which we sail, is that of royal pride
    by Cinara 20 lines, 3 comments, on Jun 22 9:48 AM 2003. In Other
    • Commented on by judge.
  • ~The Tide~
    tide of sadness is high
    crashing with emotions
    by lilshawtii 15 lines, 4 comments, on Jun 22 5:21 PM 2003. In Personal
    • Commented on by judge.
  • I don't Believe YOU!
    “I don’t believe you!
    This love you claim to hold!
    by maryannde 40 lines, 2 comments, on Jun 23 11:10 PM 2003. In Angst
    • Commented on by judge.
  • Empty Barrels (formerly Running on Empty REVISED)
    An uncanny gift to annoy
    All these words with nothing to say
    by mars 28 lines, 3 comments, on Jun 24 2:10 PM 2003. In Humor
    • Commented on by judge.
  • A good future comes to the wise
    Cloths stiched, a migrant worker's products
    Shipped to a promise land, the pants soon to be profit
    by plea4peace192 35 lines, 2 comments, on Jun 25 11:16 PM 2003. In Society
    Silver trophy winner
    • Commented on by judge.
  • Panes of Glass
    Panes of glass
    Crystalline in their transparencies
    by maryannde 15 lines, 5 comments, on Jun 26 11:25 PM 2003. In Personal
    • Commented on by judge.
  • Blue Streak
    I remember how Granddad had a soft spot for brown beans,
    not limas, no, not kidneys, just pintos, if you please.
    by symitar 36 lines, 13 comments, on Jun 27 12:42 AM 2003. In Humor
    • Commented on by judge.
  • Market Memory
    I walked through the marked daily,
    Never faltered along my way.
    by WoundedAngel 113 lines, on Jun 27 1:02 PM 2003. In Other
    Bronze trophy winner
    • Commented on by judge.
  • The Fertile Field (contest version)
    Life is a fertile field, soil dark and rich
    Full of nutrients and existence.
    by kilo936 29 lines, on Jun 27 10:50 PM 2003. In Other
    Gold trophy winner
    • Commented on by judge.

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Comments


  • maryannde gold member
    June 23, 2003
    Edit | Reply
    I don't know if I quite GOT this contest..LOL But nonetheless..it was challenging to try. Have fun with this contest everyone. If the Balladeer does anything with his contests, its make us think! The more we think the more our brains wrinkle... And that folks..is a very good thing! LOL


  • Darianna
    June 25, 2003
    Edit | Reply
    Ok...I have 2 days to enter this...thinks hard...I shall go away and contemplate on my entry...smiles...Darianna x


  • maryannde gold member
    June 26, 2003
    Edit | Reply
    Balladeer...You have challenged me and now I submit one more. I hope I got it right...at least in theory.

    My best...you always challenge me... I love that..

    Thanks!
    Mary Ann