WRITERS' CORNER discussion

Hey everyone! All you need to for this contest is write a poem (at least twelve lines, can be longer) based off someone you know!

The due date is March 1st.

Please let me know if you want to join!

I am moving this to the Contest folder.

I'll join!

Rhystlynne said "I'll join!"

Awesome!

I'll be in it, but I just need clarification - does it need to be someone we know well or based on someone we've met?

@Travis it just needs to be someone you've met. But it CAN be about someone you know well... Either way will be accepted!

I've got one. Where do I send it?

You can post it right here or go to Group Folders, request a folder for yourself and post it there!!! Either of these are super easy!

So this poem is based on an old guy that is often around at the pub whenever we go for end of week drinks (though I don't drink). He walks around to the tables and involves himself in conversations about anything and everything. He always likes to share his thoughts about whatever topic of conversation that we are talking about. (I got a bit excited writing it, so it's quite long) Enjoy my poem!

THE DRUNK ON SOCIAL INFLUENCES: STEREOTYPES

(view spoiler)[“Move out the way,
You filthy drunk!”
A rich man shouts;
Hair slicked back, eyes both sunk.

The Drunk lifts up his weary head,
As he begins to curse,
He sees the man, as rich as can be,
And then begins this verse.

“How can I be a filthy drunk?
When it’s plain to see I’m not.
I wash myself five days a week,
And I clean each and every spot!

“And how about you bein’ stinkin’ rich?
Though does that mean you stink?
I think not my dear friend.”
The Drunk gives him a wink.

“Just ‘cause I wear these shabby clothes,
And you wear shirts and ties.
It does not mean we’re different now,
‘Cause we’ve both got dark brown eyes!

“You walk around with your suitcase,
And frequent flyer tag.
And me, myself, I walk around,
With a creased, brown paper bag.

“I’m head barfly down at the pub.
You have a job, where you’re the boss.
You shout out orders, an’ so do I!
We’re so much the same, I’m at a loss!

“You make your money
From dusk till dawn,
I make mine,
Filling out a form!

“You’re into shares,
And stocks and things,
I drink my share,
Of stock and sing!

“No matter how you look at it,
You and I are almost brothers.
Why hell, I’ll even wager that
We’ve got two different mothers!”

By this stage,
The rich man has had enough,
“Get lost you homeless bastard!
Go on! Shove off! Get stuffed!”

“Homeless? Shock! Horror! Gasp!
Your ignorance amuses me!
And I’ve prob’ly walked these streets fer years,
‘Cause me parents have abused me!

“The media has clouded your mind,
You must be off your face!
The streets would be filled with drunks,
If homelessness was the case!

“Here’s the problem,
It’s a secret, but I’ll let you in,
We love the taste of beer and spirits,
We love a life of sin.

“Come on! Admit it!
You like to share a drink!
And if I started callin’ you a drunk,
Well then what would you think?

“I wear a tie,
And have a job.
I’m a businessman,
I’m not a slob!

“I work real hard behind a desk,
Twenty hours a day.
I’m definitely not like you!
That’s prob’ly what you’d say.

“If I put on a suit and carried a briefcase,
Would I be well respected?
Uh-uh, my friend; let me tell you,
I’d be full on rejected!

“So don’t give me this cock and bull,
About getting’ some employment!
I’m not what they’re lookin’ for,
So drinking’s my enjoyment!

“I know, I know, I talk too much,
I should let you get along.
I mean you’re so busy with work an’ all,
If I haven’t got you wrong?”

The Drunk steps aside;
The man tries to barge in.
An arm stops him in the doorway –
“On second thoughts…” A grin.

“I think you need to hear
Just what I have to say.
Plus, I’ve got nothin’ better to do,
To pass the time away.”

“Get out the way, you damn fool,
I’ll read it in your book!”
The rich man grits his well-kept teeth,
The Drunk gives him a look.

“A book! A book!
I’m glad you brought that up!
I wrote one sixteen years ago,
The publishers tore it up!

“A man like me could never write,
Just stick to drinking beer!
I tried to take the mob to court,
But the councillor made it clear…

“A man like me could never win,
No job, no money, no chance.
A poor no-hoper, is what they said,
I didn’t get a second glance.

“It all came down to one long word,
The word was ‘stereotype’.
People only have to hear it,
And they believe the hype!

“An unemployed, bum like me,
Would never stand a chance,
In a world where stereotypes run wild.
And so I dance this dance.

“We listen to what society says,
And make their labels come true.
We are called ‘drunks’,
So we do what drunks must do!

“You’re a businessman,
It’s plain to see;
Money for wants, money for needs.
The more you get, the happier you’ll be.

“And on that note,
You’re free to go!”
The Drunk moves off,
The man moves slow.

“Hey, Drunk!”
He calls, pulling out a note.
“Here’s ten dollars.”
The Drunk puts it in his coat.

“Thank you kind, sir.”
Replies the bedraggled figure.
“I guess I’ll be off now,
To go an’ buy me liquor.” (hide spoiler)]

JOE

by: Connie

(view spoiler)[

I made my regular monthly visit.

He made his standard hot dog dinner.

Afterwards he watched his weather channel intently.

I grew bored, and asked him to pick a movie.

He picked the same silly slap stick comedy,

and laughed like a baby getting it's tummy tickled.

I grew bored, took my book to bed, fell asleep.

Familiar smells woke me: coffee, eggs, bacon,toast.

His genuine "good morning" cheerfully annoyed me,

like the sound of birds as the sun rises.

I tried to meet it, but had stayed up to late.

I wanted to help clean up breakfast, but he balked

because I refused to do it like Dad did.

I sat and read my book while he did his laundry,

a mound of identical shirts with his employer's logo.

We went to the same store to restock groceries,

and return the cans he collects until I come.

There were so many we had to use three carts.

Could I somehow have missed a month?

I tried to spice it up by having a "can contest";

who could feed them into the machine fastest.

It only confused him; made him anxious and angry.

His frantic movements had felt faster to him.

I had forgotten he doesn't understand numbers.

I felt sorry and a little ashamed.

I had grown up defending the word "retarded".

Mom had just called him "simple",

and I finally understood that she was right.

(hide spoiler)]

Awesome, Connie!

Thank You Crosby!

Good job, both of you

I love it Travis!!!

TMEB wrote: "Good job both of you."
Crosby wrote: "I love it Travis!!!"

Thanks :)

That poem is really good Lizzy!

Great job

Lizzy wrote: "Nana/Grandma Peer

Every person has a time in life
When he or she dies
Sometimes
It’s a loved one
Mine is Nana
She had a great love for God and Jesus
She loved dogs
Mostly small dogs
Her favorite g..."

Your love for Nana real shines through this.

Good job Liz

These are all really good so far guys! For those of you who haven't posted your poem yet, you have three and a half days to post it here!!

I'm sorry I didn't have a lot of time to write this recently. :(

Oh no worries R!

Here is my submission!

Will You Shine?
By Maren M. McCaffrey

A tribute to Sean Patrick Flanery, who never ceases to inspire, reach out and endeavor to change the lives of others for the better. It’s a wonderful feeling to have him Shining in the darkness out there.

“Will you Shine for
me,” the man asked her, “just until tomorrow?”
“I promise I’ll be right here by you as mentor, friend and guide. When you are low on strength I have enough for you to borrow. I know I ask you to work harder but I’ll work right by your side.”

“I can’t Shine in all this darkness,” she said in heavy sorrow. “The weight of my shame lies so heavy and will not be denied. It hurts just to make it through this day, much less see tomorrow. I live with pain that walked in to live where once was only pride.”

“Can you Shine for me,” the man asked again, “Try it just today?” “Shame is only a shadow of the past haunting your real life now. If I share the pain of every step will you try to find your way? We’ll start the search for pride together, this is my solemn vow.”

She thought a moment and answered, “Maybe just for one short day.” I could use your words to inspire, guide my path and show me how. You care, and that alone gives more strength than I can ever say. Perhaps my pride is just misplaced, hidden in shadows right now.”

“Look at you Shining,” the man exclaimed with such joy for her choice! “Time has flown and so have you, on wings you grew out of your fears. Testify, stand up tall, you have a glorious, powerful voice! Always remember how hope came through to Shine right through your tears.”

“Shine until tomorrow,” is what my good friend told me to do. “I see you weighed down with guilt and shame; I too was once this way. Give me a chance to help you out; we’ll make a Shining star of you. So I’ll ask you just as he asked me; “Can you Shine just for today?”

“Like me you’ll want to put it aside, the shame and all the sorrow. Before you know it, you as well will Shine Until Tomorrow.”

Thank you
“Oh Captain, my Captain,” for helping me find the courage to Shine.

I'm sorry I thought about this for awhile, but I just couldn't come up with a good idea for a poem. Now that it is over do you want to make a poll to decide the winner?

No worries and yes I'm getting right on that! I've been really busy! The poll will be up within the hour!

:)

Poll almost over please vote

Sorry Liz, I don't know why you didn't get it, but it is over now. Congrats Travis for winning.