Weekly Contest

Poetry contest
10 competitors

Classic poem of the day

All in the Downs the fleet was moored,
The streamers waving in the wind,
When black-eyed Susan came aboard;
"O, where shall I my true-love find?
Tell me, ye jovial sailors, tell me true
If my sweet William sails among the crew."

William, who high upon the yard
Rocked with the billow to and fro,
Soon as her well-known voice he heard
He sighed, and cast his eyes below:
The cord slides swiftly through his glowing hands,
And quick as lightning on the deck he stands.

So the sweet lark, high poised in air,
Shuts close his pinions to his breast
If chance his mate's shrill call he hear,
And drops at once into her nest:--
The noblest captain in the British fleet
Might envy William's lips those kisses sweet.

"O Susan, Susan, lovely dear,
My vows shall ever true remain;
Let me kiss off that falling tear;
We only part to meet again.
Change as ye list, ye w...

Read full poem

member poem of the day

by

Behind the rusty metal cage, I lie forsaken day and night, Resenting those vile apes with rage, Who dare to taunt the jungle’s might. Imprisoned, I am drowned in shame, A toy for them to mock and stare, Among the bears, foul-smelled and lame, And leopards, dull and unaware. My heart still yearns for the old days, The vast realm where I used to roam, The fragrant grass, the sunlit haze, And rumbling falls of cloud-like foam. My mighty roar spread far and wide As I strode forth, both swift and proud. My nimble form would quietly glide Through thickets dense and mountains loud. At midnight, every mortal thing Would flee before my piercing eyes. That was my former self – a king Who ruled the jungle, bold and wise. Oh! Where’ve you gone, the moonlit stream Whose water once was cool and fresh, The jungle, veiled beneath the steam, When pouring rain refined its flesh, The marvelous scene of misty dawn With birds’ songs lulling me to rest, The sunset, when the las...

Read full poem