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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Empty and Full (06/04/09)
Got tired of hearin’ same old calico rip--
Beating it on my favorite rock--
Twisting and tearin’
wearin’ it soiled anyway
rushing it to dry
Mindless mending and bending in denial
Of my sad-looking style.

Not s’posed to litter in the river,
But the river came to me.
My showboat pose, my griping—
my upheld nose for splintering judgment
Churned away under
left me bewildered-free.

I missed them for a while
Standing in water to my knees
Stretching out for what could be retrieved
And wonderin’ how to be
Without those garments of heaviness
holding in green algae.

But send all that old stuff on down the river
I got to get new ways
Send the old stuff on down
and hope it doesn’t get snagged on a tree branch

Oh well, what will that matter
When I can go sailin’ on by?
Rafted and crafted and makin’ for Glory
While the water’s high.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Phee Paradise
06/16/09
I'm not very good at critiquing poetry, but wanted to let you know that this intrigued me. Is it about justification? I pictured dirty rags - sin - being left behind. I'll be thinking about it for a while.
Karlene Jacobsen 
06/16/09
This is definitely one that makes a person think. I'm not sure it's on topic, but a very interesting poem. I like the reference to letting the waste be washed down the river and gaining new ways of living.
Catrina Bradley
06/19/09
Fabulous! I love the image of washing her worn old heavy clothing, then having the river take it away all together. Congrats on your well deserved 3rd place!
Deborah Porter 
06/20/09
Hi Susan. Congratulations on your 3rd place win in Level 1. The competition is always intense in Level 1, so you did very well. Time to move up to Level 2 now (starting with the new topic on 2nd July).

Hope to see you at the FaithWriters' Conference in August. It’s going to be an amazing time of inspiration, information and encouragement.
http://www.faithwriters.com/conference.php

With love, Deb (Challenge Coordinator)