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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Illustrate the meaning of "Actions Speak Louder than Words" (without using the actual phrase). (02/21/08)
Sweet Mary of Mulberry Hollow
Sat out on her cool front porch,
Her toes a tap, tap, tapping,
Keeping time on the faded floors.
She kept a rock, rock, rocking
As she gazed on the colorful hills.
And she wondered, wondered, wondered
Of decisions she must make.

Madam Springtime had come early
To awaken the world with love.
Timid mountain laurel in cap of pink and white
Flirted with waving boughs of balsam,
While bold red rhododendron shrubs
Were dance, dance, dancing
With dazzling azaleas in pink and lilac gowns,
Which rustle, rustle, rustled to the rhythm of the wind.

When Night had dropped his purple curtain
Over the flaming display,
Sweet Mary’s mind turned to the two,
The suitors who had declared.

Handsome Harry Howard
Had promised deep devotion,
While shy Jeremy Johnson
Left soft violets at her door.

Harry vowed to her that he
Would be her helpmeet always;
Jeremy helped her daily
To finish all her chores.

Harry said, “When we are wed,
I’ll go with you to church.”
Jeremy at every service
Humbly kneeled in prayer.

Harry had assured her that
They’d travel round the world.
Jeremy took her in his truck
Wherever she wanted to go.

Harry pledged he’d build for her
The finest of all mansions.
Jeremy had bought a lot
And laid a firm foundation.

As Mary pondered on her choice,
Her heart heard whispered words:
You must choose the one who shows you love
And not the one who talk, talk, talks.
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This article has been read 1780 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Joanne Sher 
03/02/08
Cute and clever. I like your use of repetition.
LauraLee Shaw
03/03/08
LOVE this! The dynamics, the rhythm, the alliteration, the repetition. Well done.
Patty Wysong
03/03/08
I like how you contrasted the two men: one speaking and the other doing. Definitely on topic. I also liked the alliteration. *grin*
Jan Ackerson
03/03/08
I loved this, especially the first two stanzas, which were different and fun.
Karen Wilber
03/04/08
Wonderful! I loved, loved, loved this part "Jeremy took her in his truck
Wherever she wanted to go."
Mariane Holbrook
03/04/08
How cute is this! I could almost hear you reading this out loud to your class at Charlotte Latin and tapping the desk with your fingernails when you read, "talk, talk, talk!"
It was original and very well done!
Debbie Wistrom
03/04/08
So clever and on topic. Great fun!
Tessy Fuller
03/05/08
This was a delightful read. My favorite part was how you described Madam Springtime. One part bothered me though and that was wondered, wondered, wondered. Probably because the rest read tap, tap tapping or dance, dance, dancing and this one did not change. But I don't know how you would do it differently so... Looking forward to reading more of your work.
Beckie Stewart
03/05/08
That was so clever and fun to read!
Leigh MacKelvey
03/05/08
You do excell at story-poems!
I liked the way you took a somewhat diffrent route with this one and expanded a bit, using both rhyme and free verse form, alliteration and other techniques. Enjoyable and great characters!
Loren T. Lowery
03/05/08
All I can say, is three cheers for level-headed Mary: ) Now, if only all of us could be so astute.
Julie Arduini
03/06/08
I could hear this one as I read, so well done.
Sara Harricharan
03/06/08
Cute! I liked Jeremy and I'm glad that Sweet Mary chose him, the last verse is great advice! I loved the part where he left flowers for her though. That was so sweet! ^_^
Sherry Hoffcastel 
03/06/08
What a sweet poem! I have a mental picture in my mind of the two lovebirds taking a walk togther. Very darling, sweet lady.
Laury Hubrich 
03/06/08
Love this, Verna dear! Great job, as always.
Laury
Beth LaBuff 
03/16/08
What a perfect poem for this topic. I absolutely loved the picture you've painted with these lines,
"Timid mountain laurel in cap of pink and white
Flirted with waving boughs of balsam,
While bold red rhododendron shrubs
Were dance, dance, dancing
With dazzling azaleas in pink and lilac gowns,"

This is beautiful Verna!
Edy T Johnson
03/22/08
This is such a beautiful story-poem. My favorite line: "When Night had dropped his purple curtain...." (so visual!)

You have such a way with words; I relish the reading of them. Thank you, too, for leaving a comment on my "Good News Alphabet." You are such a dear heart!