Poetry Contest 2007 - submissions

[Ludens]

6# Psalm for the Prodigal Son

Disillusioned in assembly hall, as they sang out the hymns
Light-hearted melodies and headmaster's hypocrite grins,
Knew not real meanings, nor understood the cross
I simply chanted out the textbook sins

And older, bored by lifeless prayers dumbed down
And comprehending poorly still, I heard no sound
Of any substance from those 'holy' mouths
And so I threw my bible to the ground

Reeling from delusion, locked in vocal toil
To eradicate a 'foolish myth' from England's bloody soil,
I raised my voice in anger, supported by the crowds,
Called the good men lunatics, and smiled as they recoil'd

But when, years behind me falling, I found some astral Love,
And the warmth of heaven only retrieved me from the cold,
I wondered at the day that the Lord created me,
And knew how good it was to be re-welcomed to the fold.

[Ludens]

7# The Cowardly Knight

There once was a large German Knight
Who didn’t much like to fight
Instead he drank beer
‘Till it came out his ears
And he slept all next day and the night.

Alas, one day this would change
For his Lord approached on the range
“War comes!” he cried,
“You had better not hide
“Strike out! and slay those who’re strange.”

Now ‘twas the eve of the great contest
And our Knight would not have a rest
He stayed up and drank
‘Round twelve quarts, to be frank
And he binged ‘till the colors were ‘breast.

But when the fight came, WaHey!
His fear had been melted away
Drowned by all that drink
He didn’t much think
But he slew many a foe on that day.

That night a great fête did come through
With all the guests tasting much brew
And toasting the Knight
That had won them the fight
Saying: “For the man and the ale – Here’s to you!”

Now of course the next day they fared
‘Bout as well as a dragon that cared
But from that day on
When war was anon
You know how they prepared.

[Ludens]

8# Public Office

We achieve it at last,
but when we find it we long for the past.
To be another case,
another life,
another face.

To forget it all,
To be entrall'd,
by the warm embrace,
of sweet ignorance
of an unknown face.

But you are before a crowd of men,
and to act our another person then.
To be austere and refined
and not harsh and unkind.
A false god to be obeyed
not to be delayed.
Given powers you wished to have
for the cost of face.

Are you so blackened and corrupt?
So weak and grimed?
That you would give power?
For your face?

[Ludens]

9# The Girl You Love

Down on the mountain,
The band kicks up a song.
The banjo strums into the night.
And tired men sing,
“Come on boys, go on home now,
Go back to the girl you love.”

Up on the mountain,
The wolves begin to howl.
The trees rustle and moan.
And tired men sing,
“Come on boys, go on home now,
Go back to the girl you love.”