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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:
9-triad
Pickles, Ham, and Cheese
By Samuel W. Kent
My lunchbox holds my daily dread;
a triad smushed on soggy bread.
I long for anything instead
of pickles, ham, and cheese.
The same old sandwich every day.
“I wonder what’s for lunch,” I say,
but once again, to my dismay,
it’s pickles, ham, and cheese.
I’ve dreamt of better things to eat
but gherkins, Swiss, and luncheon meat
seem stuck on permanent repeat
with pickles, ham, and cheese.
What really makes my stomach ache—
since I can’t broil, or boil, or bake—
is all that I know how to make
is pickles, ham, and cheese.
vs.
15-beneficiary
Heir (Not) Apparent
By Dave Crawley
Though old Mother Goose was not a spring chicken,
it still was a shock when, Alas! she was stricken.
Her subjects assemble on Nursery Rhyme Lane,
to consider who, next, shall command her domain.
“Little Boy Blue is too young,” says a mourner.
Another adds, “Same thing with Little Jack Horner.”
“Mother Hubbard?” “Too old.” Debate rages on.
“Wee Willie Winkie?” “Forget it! He’s gone.”
“We’re wary of Mary. She’s much too contrary
to be Nursery Rhyme Beneficiary.”
“And Simon?” “Too simple.” “So, what’s left to choose,
among folks who reside in pumpkins and shoes?”
“Mr. Dumpty?” “Yes, Humpty! He watches us all,
from his dignified perch on the top of the wall.
Send all the king’s horsemen! And don’t take too long!
Bring Humpty back quickly! Hey – what could go wrong?”
9-triad vs. 15-beneficiary: Which Poem Did You Prefer?
- 9-triad (Samuel W. Kent) (49%, 698 Votes)
- 15-beneficiary (Dave Crawley) (51%, 719 Votes)
Total Voters: 1,417
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