Ditch the ads, upload images and much more - upgrade today from 5.95/month!
Read • Contests • Groups • Learn • Forums • Store • Help
 

Woad be Gone

.





  Champaran peasants
      dye in
      genuine
    counterfeit sacrifice
      to colorfast 
      blue blood colonies.
    Gandhi invites
              an Indian
                  indentured
    to master and fade.


Colors bled,



            ....as Wordsworth wept.





.

Author notes

Prompt is: INDIGO
FREE VERSE: No "traditional rhyme"
Poetic Device: Solid Metaphor


"Doubtless, I should have then made common cause
With some who perished; haply perished too,
A poor mistaken and bewildered offering -
Unknown to those bare souls of miller blue."

William Wordsworth referred to the plight of indigo dye workers of his hometown of Cockermouth in his autobiographical poem "The Prelude".

A contest entry

    : , Your review:

    Comment Suggestion: What is your your first impression?
    • Line numbers  • Invite them to read
    : no Cost: 0 free left 0 points, You have (?)

Comments

1 - 17 of 17

  • Frozentearz
    April 14, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    Congratulations on your award.
    I love how you combined the different meanings of Indigo within this wonderful work.
    Blessings,
    Frozentearz


  • WomanWriting
    April 13, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    I'm going to use up all 300 points applauding your poetry...I can't think of a better way to use them.
    Here is to my first friend on AP - May your gold
    always shine (remember, s...h...o...p...p...i...n...g)


    • paulcreates silver member
      April 13, 2008
      Edit | Reply
      LOLOL Awww Thank you my friend and for the humor you fling my way!

      Paul


  • Pamela A Lamppa silver member
    April 13, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    Well done with metaphor to this prompt.
    Just what the doctor ordered. Well done.
    Best of luck in the judging. ~Pamela

    • paulcreates silver member
      April 13, 2008

      Edit | Reply
      Thank you Thank you Thank you for this honor and the Gold and the generous points Ken and Pam. This has been probably the most challanging series of contests I've been in.
      Sincerely,
      Paul


  • Idle Mind Wondering silver member
    April 13, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    this is a fine example of metaphor
    and concise free verse
    Well Done!

    • paulcreates silver member
      April 13, 2008
      Edit | Reply
      Thank you Thank you Thank you for this honor and the Gold and the generous points Ken and Pam. This has been probably the most challanging series of contests I've been in.
      Sincerely,
      Paul


      • Idle Mind Wondering silver member
        April 13, 2008
        Edit | Reply
        Indeed, the Honor is ours, it was always our intent to challenge and you have undoubtedly answered.


  • R S Adams Jr silver member
    March 31, 2008

    Edit | Reply

    beautiful language use...

    You have captured a deep feeling here. "Prelude" is one of my favourite poems, and I missed the link! However you have done it proud.

    'dye in genuine counterfeit sacrifice" is so brilliant...

    • paulcreates silver member
      March 31, 2008
      Edit | Reply
      Thank you for taking the time to read this R.S.Adams Jr. I was introduced to another fold of interesting history in researching this, not to mention a classic beauty of a poem.
      Paul


  • PrabhuDayal Khattar silver member
    March 30, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    Well you have sacred voice and the sacred cause here in this verse to depict the life's deseases and its cures..well done


  • butterflywriter
    March 30, 2008

    Edit | Reply

    Outstanding!

    In the movie "King Arthur", Guenevere is a Woad and they paint themselves blue...way cool! It's my favorite movie, good job on the research. P.

    • paulcreates silver member
      March 30, 2008
      Edit | Reply
      Thank you, thank you Patsy. I'm glad you enjoyed this. That's a interesting trivia link about that movie. I didn't realize that indigo had such a integral history. There was a controversial play in India written in protest about the oppression too.



      Paul


  • Dalaney gold member
    March 30, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    just know that I love this. Lane


  • tara wilson gold member
    March 30, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    wow - this puts my sensual poetry to shame..lol

    this is excellent poetry..

    • paulcreates silver member
      March 30, 2008
      Edit | Reply
      Tara I'm stunned you would say that after reading yours. No, no, no, no one's work puts yours to shame. That's not true. I love your work. Be proud.

      Paul

1 - 17 of 17