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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Illustrate the meaning of “All that Glitters is Not Gold” (without using the actual phrase or literal example). (01/24/08)
Conundrum, conundrum.
Discover, disclose a conundrum
When I am strong I puff up my chest,
A self-fancying pigeon impressing the rest,
A proud and haughty and dignified chap,
I have all the answers right here on tap
(Or maybe my laptop, if I’m “one of those”),
An educated, superior man, I suppose!
My mind is resourceful, the internet’s handy.
I’m right up to date and I’m mentally randy.
I work every day and I work through the night.
Yes, I’m building an empire and I know I’ll be right.

And then comes the crunch, and I fall to the ground,
The latest investment has proven unsound.
My dear son is dying, they’ve taken my house,
My wife had a breakdown, she’s no more my spouse!
My daughter is married and lives interstate
With her man and three children – the usual fate.
And I’m lonely.
No friends!
No-one cares about me!
And what am I going to do about tea?
I can go to the fish-shop, and they are quite kind
But to my situation they’re really quite blind
But there is no-one else now. It’s too much for me.
Maybe I’ll just go and walk out, out, out - to sea.

It goes on forever, no future in sight.
I tried a new girlfriend but she saw my plight.
Nothing in it for her, and she’s off out of sight
With a teacher, of all things. Well, that serves her right!
But I am not angry, oh no, that’s not me.
It’s my wife was the problem. Now if only she
Had been more sympathetic and done all I said,
Then I’d not be so hard on her, quite like I did.
And the banks will not lend me – I’ve done all the rounds
In my world there simply are no pleasant sounds.
It’s the sea, yes the ocean. I’ll go on my way.
I’ll be out of this misery in just one more day.
O God, if there is one, are you still around?
Because if you are, I am soon seaward bound.



H E L P !



And He answered and said with this wonderful dream,
You must help Me with My work. We’ll be a great team.”
“I’m so sorry”, I told Him. “I’ve been a great fool,
“Forgiven,” my Lord said. “A new day’s in store.”
So I bowed before Him who knows much more than I.
Why I didn’t before I shall never know why!
There’s a manual for living. I’d read it before,
But this time it speaks to me – rules I adore!
So I’ve started training with Almighty God,
And I know where I’m going – I’m walking His road


Whatever it takes!
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This article has been read 852 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
James Dixon
02/02/08
I'm not a great reader of poetry, but I am so glad that someone has broken away from the usual 4 line rhymes that I have read so often in the writing challenge.
Sara Harricharan
02/05/08
This is very interesting! My favorite line was the one with the laptop. Lol. I could relate there. Nice format, it is refreshing and new. ^_^
Joanney Uthe 
02/06/08
Wonderful description of a lonely life and the consequences of our choices. You do a great job getting into the MC's head.

My favorite line was the one where the poeple at the shop were friendly but blind to the MC's plight. This line describes the topic better than anything else I've read this week.
Emily Blakely
02/06/08
Enjoyed the poetic form and it kept me reading all the way through. Great ending!
Justus Ondieki
05/04/11
Helen, this was a wonderful piece of poetry, you have done it so excellently until I thought, why did it end. Keep up writing my dear friend for His glory.
Wishing you every joy.
Justus