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Things to Consider in Making a Choice:
- How well the poem incorporates the authlete’s assigned word.
- Technical elements: meter, rhyme, form, shape, and other poetic standards.
- Creativity: wordplay, imagery, unusual approach, etc.
- Subtle elements that make the whole greater than the sum of its parts.
- Your overall response: emotional reaction such as admiration, tears, laughter, terror, or some indefinable feeling.
Here are the poems:
14-rigidity
The Pointless Pointer
by Allan Wolf
A Pointer named Bart had a big change of heart
when he finally figured out why,
when he froze like a statue while looking right at you,
a gun would go off and you’d die.
So he practiced the habit, on spotting a rabbit,
of feigning confused indecision.
More dancer than statue, “I won’t let him catch you,”
the kindly dog whispered, “Keep hidden!”
While stalking through weeds, this blue-ribbon breed
was the picture of grace and fluidity.
But discovering prey, he would just look away
and display not a trace of rigidity!
When the hunter, struck dumb, finally said, “What’s become
of my loyal, award-winning birder?”
Bart said with conviction (and excellent diction),
“I won’t be your accomplice to murder!”
vs.
10-largesse
A Cell Phone. Why I Need One!
by Kristen Foote
“Hey mom and dad, we must discuss the fact that I’ve been cheated! I’m isolated on the bus. My social life – depleted!
I’m labeled “outcast” of my class – the last one to exist. The only kid without a phone. I neeeeed one – I insist!
I know you think I’m just a child, far too immature. So here’s my case that I’ve compiled, in case you’re still unsure:
I raked the yard, took out the trash, I cleaned up my whole room.
I swept up all the crumbs from lunch – I even used a broom.
I’ve got good grades – well, mostly A’s (except those silly D’s).
With NO complaints I ate your soup that looked like barfed-up peas.
And by the way, let it be known, not one, or even two …
but EVERY single friend of mine, has their own phone. It’s true!”
“Well, honey, dear, we feel your pain. Your story sure is sad! You really don’t have to explain – we know you want this bad.
In fact, because we’re generous, much thanks to our largesse, we’ll buy the newest, smartest phone with built-in GPS!
We’ll be right by you, every step, you’ll never feel alone. ‘Cause we can track your every move from your newfangled phone!
So let’s go look! We’ll hit the store, and see what we can find!”
“Umm …. I don’t need one anymore. I think I’ve changed my mind.”
