'The fundamental phenomena in nature are symmetrical
with respect to interchange of past and future.'
--- Richard Feynman
In the Cabinet room of Monticello, clutching Decatur's letter,
The President removes his wire-rimmed glasses.
Frigate Philadelphia has been burned.
Decanting a bourbon, he pours and quaffs.
Outside in the piazza the cicadas' din is unbroken.
The Pasha of Tripoli has his tribute!
In three short hours warm rays of sunlight
will greet the outstretched arms of Earth,
but for now the bourbon scintillates.
Ink splatters on the blotter,
as he pounds a clenched fist upon the desk.
'Not one cent', he pronounces to the wall-clock.
Cicadas hold sway in the Charlottsville night,
but on the Barbary Coast a fire is raging.
Author notes
A60sMan --- A portrait in time of Thomas Jefferson at possibly his most stressful moment.
A contest entry
- Paint Me A Portrait by BluRosePoet8488.
1000 points, ended August 29, 2007, 13 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - ANYTHING!!!! by JOSHv3.
360 points, ended August 31, 2007, 24 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - 2006 Prewrites by Virgoan.
500 points, ended October 7, 2007, 46 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Just about anything by katie-jo.
450 points, ended October 13, 2007, 15 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - No place to put it..... by Menace.
2250 points, ended December 11, 2007, 32 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Toy soldiers or model ships by KevinDunn.
550 points, ended January 7, 8 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - .*•.¸History.¸.•*. by fairy princess k.
630 points, ended August 10, 22 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 15 of 15
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wonderful
Kool poem =) , you have a unique style of writing , lovely use of imegery .thanks for entering in my contest .
wonderful k
byyyyyyyyyye k -
I think I musdt disqualify this as not being about toys or models but I think it is a very good poem and am awarding it two applauses.
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This is a good poem, but I am not sure it is on the subject of the contest.
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How about the Parallel between Clinton and Jefferson? Jefferson let those crewmen suffer over two months at the hands of that North African ruler. Armed forces reduced to nothing except a Navy so small and weak had we been attacked by a country that meant business we would not be Americans today. Jefferson failed to protect his countrymen as President the treaties failed , ransoms were not paid many times and Americans died. Lets talk American lives we do so little of that. Let History tell her complete story.You write so well .. if only you had said it all
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Hmm...
This is very descriptive and precise. Now i don't want to offend, but I must state the obvious. Not only does this poem have a place, it has won a trophy(for good reason) and has been "whored out" to many other contests. That does cause a deduction in the way I judge it. I did find it very nicely written so I will not DQ it. I think it should be seen by others. -
Wow. This painted an incredible picture for me, I am very very impressed. Wonderfully written.
Thank you very much for entering and good luck in the contest.
~kate -
This is my first time to read this poem. I will be re-reading all the entries like I usually do.
Initial score = 9.0
Thanks for sharing and keep on writing my friend.
VIRGOAN -
Loved reading this it made me think thanks for the entry! Good luck in the contest!!
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Loved reading this! Brought back memories of my social studies class in JHS. Not far from my home is Decatur Blvd. I will not see it the same again when I pass it!
Best of luck,
Regards,
John
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LOL ... I live near Decatur too
In fact, it was my inspiration for this poem, which I thought had a chance to win until I read your far more worthy piece.
Brian --- A60sMan
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And paint me a portrait you have certainly done and done well. A very interesting portrit at that. The historical imagery does stand out. Being a history buff, I did have an inkling as to who this was. Very well done, my friend. Keep the ink flowing and good luck. Thanks for sharing.
~Donna~
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I know you have done this before. You
are simply too good to be a novice. Hmmm,
you may have a fan on your hands.
Love, Lane
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Wait...perhaps I see the lesson. But I still do not know who the person is. Upon second reading, I don't mind this, it's not bad. Thank you and good luck
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re: Who the person is
Ummm ... Ever heard of this guy Thomas Jefferson, 3rd president of the US? The poem is about his reaction to the demands for tribute by seizing the Philadelphia for ransom. Jefferson ordered Captain Decatur to send in a covert party of sailors and burn the frigate rather than pay the tribute. I see many parallels to modern US relations with Iran. Regardless, Jefferson is a personal hero.
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I do not see where the lesson is. Nor do I know who the person is, which I asked you to do in the rules.
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