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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Writing (01/11/07)
Please, no mindless drivel

There isn’t much to what I am
Except for what I do
And just how well I do it
Is strictly up to you.

A dark and stormy evening
Or sea that’s bright and blue
A damp and dreary morning
A sun that’s bright and new

A knife that cuts
A word that kills
It’s all at your command
A jilted lover,
Fallen angel
I’m puddy in your hands.

You want a happy ending?
You want to make a point?
You want to share a moment?
I’m just the one you want.

But you better have an idea
You better have a clue
You’ll probably need an editor
To help you see it through.

Cause I’m not an easy customer
I’ve seen my share of twerps
Who think they’ve got just what it takes
To make a story work.

They’ve gone to all the classes
They’ve studied all their notes
There’s little you can tell them
They don’t already know.

Their story has a starting point
Their characters have sketches
Their lavish, lush descriptions
Are sure to leave you breathless

But a story is a story
And words are more than that
To tell one quite compelling
Is certainly a craft!

Compare yourself to Tolkien
And you’re sure to find a fight
Even God ordained the prophets
So they could get it right.

If anyone could do it
Then what would be the use
Of having God select someone
To scribe the simple truth.

You can type or write or scribble
Till your fingers cramp and bow
You can hope that when you finish
You’ll have something you can show.

But here’s a little tip
Some wisdom I’ll impart.
To write a decent story
It must first come from your heart.

So please, no mindless drivel
I’ve seen enough of that
And please don’t be discouraged
If writing’s not your bag.

For I am just a story
And you are only you
I can spin a decent yarn
If writing’s what you do.
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This article has been read 1068 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
darlene hight
01/18/07
Yep its gotta have heart! Nice reminder
Marilee Alvey
01/19/07
I am ill equiped to evaluate poems, but I sure liked this one. The personalization of a story was a very interesting angle to use. The story can tell us things in this poem that we don't want to hear, but isn't that just like a story? No one can get angry at it, either! Well said. You have a lot of talent.
Betty Castleberry
01/20/07
This was fun. Just one minor thing...I think you meant "putty" instead of "puddy."
The meter is good. You did a nice job with this.
cindy yarger
01/20/07
Very entertaining - well done!
william price
01/21/07
An enjoyable read. God bless.
Gregory Kane
01/22/07
I loved the colloquial language in this: twerps, yarn, drivel. It gave the poem a certain atmosphere that contrasted effectively against more the formal, ´proper’ writing that you decry.
Joanne Sher 
01/22/07
I love the casual voice of this, and the great rhythm it has. Such a pleasure to read!
Helen Paynter
01/24/07
This was really fun - I laughed out loud at 'twerps'. Highly creative approach - as usual!
Jan Ackerson
01/24/07
Your last stanza is so simple, yet so rich with truth. I love the easy-going voice here, and the encouraging message.
Sara Harricharan
01/24/07
ooooh! This was great! I had to chuckle a few times and I love the title! The 'yarn' is one I can more than relate to. Excellent job for making this come together so smoothly-and so accurately! Loved it-awesome job!
Teri Wilson
01/24/07
Wow, Sue. I didn't know you were a poet. I really liked this a lot. Wonderful message and it flowed very nicely. Well done.
Marilyn Schnepp 
01/25/07
The writing was nifty, and right on target - but four verses didn't rhyme, and broke the rhythm; However, it had so many good points in it...perhaps we can call it prose instead of poetry. This took alot of work...nice entry. And all so true!
Sue Dent
01/25/07
Just let it be known, I do not conisder myself a poet. I'm not sure which four verses don't rhyme or come close enough to call it rhyming but it must've been pretty close to get everyone elses vote! LOL Perhaps it were bow(supposed to be bow like a Christmas bow) and show hmmmmm Oh well, great fun to write anyway! And such great comments. Thanks for all!
Sue Dent
01/25/07
Wait, I know! I'm going to call it prosetry! LOL
"that" and "bag",
"use" and "truth",
"point" and "want"
"notes" and "know"

hmmm. . . maybe that's the four. Oh, well! Sorry, I just wanted another comment! hee hee.