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SPARE MULE ONLINE is a publication
of Missouri State Poetry Society, which is
a federation of local chapters of poets as
well as some poet members-at-large who
join the state organization directly. The
state
society is, in turn, part of the National
Federation
of Poetry Societies. The
purposes of the group are to stimulate the
appreciation of poets and poetry, to provide
opportunities for the study of and practice
in writing and reading poetry, and to unite
poets in bonds of fellowship and understanding. |
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FROM YOUR PRESIDENT, BILLY
ADAMS--
Faye and I are in the process of judging the 600 plus poems from
the Wyoming state poetry contest. We are in the process of making
"good and bad" heaps. I was surprised to find that usually agree when
choosing which pile the poems end up in. The problem we will have is
picking the final list from the "good" pile.
As most of you are aware, I’m a poet by accident and still learning
new things about the craft. The following is an example of the
learning exercises that I use to improve myself. Please note that I’m
aware of mixing metaphors in the examples.
In the October 2005 issue of By Line magazine there is a
great article, "Using Sound Symbolism" by Katryn Wilkens. She
discussed using words that refer to sounds. The technical name is
onomatopoeia. It’s a long article so I’ll not try to discuss it here
but I recommend that you read it.
The other technique is taking something, usually a noun describing
an object, and have it perform in a way that is impossible but readily
understood by the reader. Below is a before and after example using a
poem.
Before:
Wormwood
In my dreams
I always find elegant solutions
to the most knotty problems.
As I sleep, soaring lines
flow through my mind.
But upon awakening,
they all turn to wormwood.
Morning light glints
upon the flaws,
like sunlight on snow.
I have the soul of a poet,
writing skills of a blacksmith. |
After:
Wormwood 2
In my dreams I write poetry.
My words dance to the tune
of a pristine mountain stream,
climb to heights where eagles soar
and plunge to icy depths of inky seas.
But upon awakening, my words
turn to wormwood and gall.
My carefully crafted phrases
fade into the morning mist.
I have the soul of a poet,
writing skills of a blacksmith. |
Usually, comparisons are linked by the word
like. For
example, "The evening sunset is like molten lava flowing across the
seam that separates the earth from the sky." Not using it (like) will
normally improve the word picture you are trying to paint. Try
instead, "Molten lava flows from the evening sun along the seam that
divides night from day."
Billy Adams, President
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IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM YOUR EDITOR
Beginning with the January issue of the SPARE MULE
we will be sending Spare Mule via e-mail. This was discussed
and unanimously approved at the 2009 MSPS Convention by all those
present.
STROPHES, which is normally sent with the
Spare Mule will be available, as always, at www.nfsps.com and
will be referenced in each Spare Mule.
Spare Mule is issued 4 times a year at the
beginning of January, April, August, and October. To be viable and
up to date each chapter is asked to send in Chapter Reports prior
to the deadlines which are the last week before the months listed
above. All members of MSPS are asked to send in poems, notice of
awards won, and any items of interest that might interest the
state organization. These may be sent in at any time before the
deadlines.
One other important note. It is much simpler for each member who
has e-mail capabilities to send an individual e-mail to mopoetry@mchsi.com
with SUBJECT: SPARE MULE and a short request to be added to the
e-mail list. This way all that is needed is to save the address.
This saves me time and assures the correctness of the address.
One additional benefit of going electronic is that we will not
be limited to the number of pages we send. This should be an
opportunity for members to send in more poems for publications and
awards
This
conversion to electronic delivery of the Spare Mule takes effect
with the January issue, but please send in your e-mail addresses
as soon as possible to provide the easiest transition.
E-mail contact with the Spare Mule editor should be via
mopoetry@mchsi.com Subject: Spare Mule
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REPORTS FROM OUR LOCAL CHAPTERS:
Crawford County Bombadils:
Though
membership is low during these cold months, we have still had quite a
bit of fun. Crawford County Bombadils hosted a Poet Speak in November
at a local coffee shop here called Java.net. We had a fantastic
turnout with eight readers and a warm, welcoming audience. With the
coming of the New Year, we are again holding a Youth Poetry Contest
and planning a Spring Poetry Read-Around in our community. Our focus
for our meetings is small workshops in writing and sharing ideas and
new material. We are looking forward to many new adventures in 2010,
one of which will be the hosting of the MSPS State Convention in
September. We hope to see you then here in Cuba.
Dawn Harmon
Poets & Friends Winter Banquet:
If you were not
at the Pasta Express in Springfield, MO on the 21st
of
December, you missed a great time! You also missed a great dinner and
you missed all the winners and some wonderful poetry! We had
nearly 30 people attend the dinner. Thirty-five contestants entered
the contest with 270 entries from New Hampshire to Florida to Utah.
The nationwide contest drew some wonderful poetry that we read and
enjoyed. Also, there were 29 entries to our Youth Poetry Contest with
many excellent offerings. The group even had a read-a-round with some
great Christmas poetry. Next year, plan to attend our winter party for
some great fun, poetry and food.
Marsha Becco
On Edge:
Billy
and Faye Adams were recent judges of the Wyoming State Poetry Contest.
There were 648 poems entered. After narrowing it down they still had
over 100 on their long list. That’s when they found that they had to
really get picky to narrow it down to the few winners allowed. This is
very often the case. Judging is sometimes harder than writing a
winning poem.
Billy Adams had an article accepted for Guidepost Magazine’s book
called The Healing Touch, which is the second book in a series
of twelve books called The Incredible Prayer.
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Search
is on for Native American Poet Laureate
Monterey, Calif.--(1/1/10)--Entries are now being accepted in
the First White Buffalo Native American Poet Laureate poetry contest.
The winning poem will receive a $100 cash award. Native American
ancestry is not a prerequisite; good writing in the voice of the
Indian Spirit is necessary. Deadline for entries is Feb. 28, 2010.
Co-sponsors are White Buffalo Tribe honorary chiefs Barbara
Callahan Quin (LittleCrow WalkingEagle), Springfield, Mo. and Yvonne
Londres (Dances with Poetry), San Antonio, Tex. Contest administrator
is Wanda Sue Parrott, (Prairie Flower), Monterey, CA.
Details and rules are available on the online-host home page links
"Contest—White Buffalo" and "Newsletter—The Diploemat" (Sept. and Dec.
2009) at www.amykitchenerfdn.org ---Wanda Parrot
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POEMS
FROM OUR MEMBERS:
WINTER HAIKU
John J. Han
On the Edge
snowy football field
steam comes out
of players' mouths
melting in the sun
drop by drop
icicles
winter garden
perching on a bare branch
golden butterflies
growing out of
a deserted wheelbarrow
winter grasses
icy rain
sipping hot tea
by the fireside
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midwinter night
sound of migrating birds
then silence
deep snow
a prayer—
may school be closed
UNTITLED
Frieda Risvold
Member-at-Large
I swept a mess of leaves
clear off the deck and steps.
A gusty wind came up
and blew them back to me.
Then sheets of rain came down
and plastered leaves to wood
making such a mucky mess
I retreated to the house.
This game's no longer fun.
Let Mother Nature have her way.
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MSPS WINTER 2010 CONTEST:
Here are the guidelines for the MSPS Winter 2010 Contest:
Deadline:
Postmarked February 15, 2010
[EXTENDED TO MARCH 1, 2010]
Format: Submit two copies of each entry, category number and
name in upper left-hand corner of both copies, poet's name and address
in upper right-hand corner of one copy. If you are a member,
put "Missouri State Poetry Society" below your address. Put
"Non-Member" if you are not.
Limits:
Poems may be 40 or fewer lines. They may be unpublished or previously
published if the poet retains the rights to the poem. Poets may enter
each category as many times as they wish. No poems will be returned.
Categories:
1. Rhymed verse or blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter) any
subject, serious or humorous
2. Free verse, any subject, serious or humorous
3. Humorous verse,
any subject
4. Any form, winter
subject, serious or humorous
5. Members
only--Poet's choice: any form, any subject, serious or humorous
6.
Youth Poetry
Division I: Middle School 6th-8th grades
Division II: High
School 9th-12th grades
(See Special Rules Below)
Fees for
Categories 1-5:
-
Non-members pay
$1.00 per entry. Members pay $1.00 for two entries. Make money
order or check payable to MSPS and mail to Bill Lower, 21010 S. Hwy
245, Fair Play, MO 65649. Include an SASE or your e-mail address on
an index card for a list of the winners.
Prizes:
Membership:
- If you do not belong to one of our local chapters but wish to
join Missouri State Poetry Society, pay the $13 annual
member-at-large fee and enter the contests by paying a member's
reduced contest fees. See
Membership Application
on the menu on our webpage at
www.nfsps.com/mo.
Special
Rules for Youth Poetry (for Category 6 only):
1. FREE. There are no fees for the Youth category.
2. Open to Missouri students only, currently in grades 6-12.
3. Limited to one poem per student.
4. Students may individually submit an entry, or they may be submitted
by their teacher.
5. Any type of poetry accepted except “found poetry.”.
6. 37 line maximum, including lines between stanzas; lines no longer
than 45 characters.
7. Cash prizes will be awarded. In addition, first place winners will
be published in the MSPS Anthology Grist.
8. Winners and HMs will automatically qualify as candidates for MO
entries to the Manningham Student Poetry Award Contest, sponsored by
the National Federation of State Poetry Societies.
Submit two copies:
1. On one, write only “category 6” and the student’s grade in top
right hand corner.
2. On other copy:
a. in top right hand corner, write category 6, student’s name,
address, and grade.
b. on top left hand corner, write English teacher’s name and
email address, school name and address
Send Youth entries to: Judy Young
MSPS Youth Director
6155 E. Farm Road 132
Springfield, MO 65802
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Missouri State Poetry Summer 2009 Contest Winners
Category 1, Rhymed or Blank Verse--Judge, Eugene Shea
1 st Place….We
Sit Alone. . Faye Adams
2nd place…Back
Yard Play Space ….Marilyn Camden Norton
3rd Place…
Insight….Lou
Layman
1st
Hon. Mention..
High Noon in
the Old Country .. Geraldine Felt
2nd Hon. Mention..
It is Enough..
Ted O. Badger
3rd Hon. Mention..
Pointe du Hoc..
D. Gary Christian
Category 2, Free Verse--Judge, Larry Thomas
1 st place..
Spring
Stampede.. Geraldine R. Pratt
2nd place..
North Star..
John McBride
3rd place..
A Gardener’s
Life…Eugene M. Gagliano
1st Hon. Mention..
Inheritance..
Ellaraine Lockie
2nd Hon. Mention..
Blue Chenille
Tales.. Carol Carpenter
3rd Hon. Mention..
Prayer
Meeting.. Anna Roberts Wells
Category 3, Humorous Verse--Judge, Tom Padgett
1 st Place….Bare
Necessities… D. Gary Christian
2nd Place…A
Shortening Story… D. Gary Christian
3rd place ….Taxes…Jerri
Hardesty
1st Hon. Mention..Truelove…Lou
Layman
2nd Hon. Mention..Beverly
Hills Lunch …Frank Adams
3rd Hon. Mention…The
Short Pants Blues…Jim Barton
Category 4, Summer Verse--Judge, Harding Stedler
First Place-- The
Corner Store….. Loretta Diane Walker, Odessa
Texas
Second Place--Getting
Away… Nedra Rogers, Lawrence Kansas
Third place --A
Nudist's Bill of Rights…. Wanda Sue Parrott,
Monterey California
First Honorable Mention--Cottonwood
Encounter….Geraldine R. Pratt, Murray UT
Second Honorable Mention--He
Paddled the Kayak Across the Lake.. Mary Jo
Maguire
Third Honorable Mention --Passive
Submission… Annetta Talbot Beauchamp
Category 5, Judge, Pat Laster
First place..
Lilacs Bloom
in the Vacant Lot.. Carol Carpenter
Second place..
Capri, by the
Sea .. Gilda Kreuter
Third place..
My Body Which
Was Broken.. Tania Gray
First Honorable Mention..
A Wretch Like
Me.. Ellaraine Lockie
Second Honorable Mention..
Beneath the
Layers.. Catherine Moran
Third Honorable Mention..
Vintages..
Von S. Bourland
TIME TO PAY 2010
DUES FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN'T ALREADY PAID!
Chapter
Treasurers: please send payment and list of members, including $7 and
an e-mail address for each, to State Treasurer Bill Lower, 21010 S.
Hwy 245, Fair Play, MO 65649.
Members-at-Large, those not a member of a local chapter, pay $13 per
year and payment should be sent directly to Bill Lower at the above
address.
Please make all
checks payable to MSPS.
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