Upcoming October IBPC 2017:

[Michael (MV)]

 
Preface to the usual monthly:

I have been observing the workshop forum & the thread here at Palaver Upcoming October

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=6706  

^^ here in this thread, please let us know ASAP if you are not going to be available to represent the Writer's Block -

then we will know not to consider that poem further.

I will be looking for consensus - a communal, workshop process

Which 3 would we like to see represent the Writer's Block in the finals?

After the 3 are selected, then will each author post - in this thread - the poem as the poet would like it forwarded,
and ALL the needed info/statements  

Thanks for the early enthusiasm that in tandem with the workshopping.

************

any newcomers or returnees this month, Welcome!

and here is a home link to the IBPC rules: http://ibpc.webdelsol.com/rules



In this thread, from the poems posted in the workshop forum during the course of the month, recommend/nominate by title & author.

Nominated poets, please acknowledge the nomination here in this thread.
Please reply by accepting or declining the nomination - in this thread.

Please note & observe: This is not a workshopping thread.

In this thread, poems that are ultimately selected to represent the Block are then posted here
as the author would like for the poem to be forwarded
along with all IBPC required info.

When the 1-3 poems are decided upon, and permission granted by each author of the selected poems,

along with all the info needed by each author:



1/Your name

2/e-mail address

3/statement that the poem is your original

4/and unpublished work

5/and that you are not representing in the current IBPC

6/and the poem as you would like it forwarded to the finals.

^^ All of the above is the usual needed info as part of the process.


I will then forward the 1-3 to the IBPC finals.



Thanks,

Michael (MV)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 

[FranktheFrank]

My nominations for poems posted in September
for entry in the October IBPC:

1. Bernie's Not Illegal in Mississippi

2. Kenneth's The Beasts

3. Siva's Housing Board Flat, Swathi Nagar

[Kenneth2816]

Bob Bradshaws Why I Sleep
Frank's Hallstand

[Kenneth2816]

Random note. Just want to put this out about IBPC. Though I've been absent from the scene 9 years until recently, I can tell you that our gracious host, Michael Neff,
is as interested in WB placing as an NFL owner is over the superbowl.

We are not just here for our own indulgence. Yes we are a community, but WE represent this place. When I vote or nominate, I do so strictly on the merit of the poem, and my belief in its ability to win in this competition. I was once talked with selected the noms for a now defunct but
excellent work shop. I know a little of what I speak. I'm very enthusiastic about IBPC, as it is the oldest and most recognized online monthly competition. To me, it's about pride, a little. Seeing Frank take first place recently, motivated me to become more active here. All of us enjoy the validation of having our work selected.

I've been fortunate to have been in IBPC 6 times. Bernie, a million.

It would be great if all of us who get this free feedback and exposure from Writer's Block would at least get involved in the nominating process, show a little gratitude to our Host, our beloved Michael (MV),
and each other. I am never "political"about this, petsonally. In the past, I've withdrawn a nom because I thought other poems stronger.

Thanks to MV for his years of service here.
Thanks to all of us who support, encourage and motivate each other.

Plead get involved.

[FranktheFrank]

Plead indeed

[Kenneth2816]

Frank I'm getting old and always lose my glasses lol.

On a side note, I am confident Hallstand will place in IBPC if sent.

[FranktheFrank]

Ken, It's curse of mine, typos, bad spelling so I am so
pleased to see another writer with the same affliction.
I have a feeling you will do well, thank you.

[Kenneth2816]

I accept Billys nom and Frank's second on Naming The Beasts

[Michael (MV)]

 
Please: instead of Host, consider me a facilitator of the IBPC process for the WB -

a fellow-poet assisting with a monthly clerical


Also, b/c on occasion there has been a need for clarification:

I am not Michael Neff

I am Michael (MV)

we just share the same first name


in the spirit of clarification & creativity



Michael (MV)

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 

[Kenneth2816]

I should have used AND after host.

I'm certain you're not Michael Neff

[Michael (MV)]

 
MV believes Telling My Father I Write Poetry (Kenneth2816) should be recommended to the short list


now perhaps a 2nd & 3rd . . .




Michael (MV)

 

 

 

  
 

[FranktheFrank]

I accept Ken's nomination for my poem:

The Hallstand Photograph (1914)

originally posted 31 August 2017
and revised this September.

I also accept the hint of a nomination from Bob for Rust Red

posted 7 September and revised since.

If any of these two were seconded I would be pleased to represent the board.

[BobBradshaw]

I accept Kenneth's nom for 'Why I Sleep'.

I also nominate:
1) Frankly's 'Malacara'
2) Kenneth's 'Telling My Father I Write Poetry'
3) Bernie's 'Complements to the Chef'

[Kenneth2816]

I think I've been clear that I want us to win.

I accept telling my father
I accept naming the beasts

I'll abide by whatever you guys decide but I must say, Hallstand is a top three finisher.

[Kenneth2816]

So Far

1 vote:

Frank

Malacara
Rust Red
Hallstand Photograph

Bernie:

Not Illegal in MS
Compliments to Chef

Bob

Why I Sleep

Siva
Housing Board Authority

2 votes

Kenneth

Naming The Beasts

Telling My Father I Write Poetry

[Kenneth2816]

I declined a nom for Telling My Father on another forum

[FranktheFrank]

This is by far the best month long efforts of Writer's block

[Kenneth2816]

Frank. I just copied the noms as listed

[Kenneth2816]

There are seven poems that need at least a second vote. .....

[Michael (MV)]

 
According to my observations in the threads at the workshop forum & the monthly thread @ Palaver -


These 2:

Telling My Father I Write Poetry

and

The Hallstand Photograph (1914)


And Now,

let's get a focus on a 3rd


hopefully by tomorrow evening


Thanks,

Michael (MV)

 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 

[FranktheFrank]

Since two have already been chosen to represent the board
it narrows it down to just one, and out of the batch
of very good poems I must say one stands out.

Any of Bernie's poms could go this month,
but I especially like:

Not Illegal in Mississippi
posted on the 12th September.

*****
Thanks to those who commented on this poem and nominated it, thank you very much.

My original and unpublished poem
solely in this forum for the IBPC September.

Ieuan ap Hywel (ieuanaphywel@aol.com)

*****
Hallstand Photograph (1914)

Dressed in the khaki of Kitchener’s Mob, a single chevron
on his sleeve, a peaked hat with brass badge: R.E. Corps,
a collar with curled-up ends, a pay book sags his breast

pocket down, a wide belt fixed tight around his thin waist.
He stands between his parents his hand rests on some books.
A photograph for the hallstand table, Lady Shenton sits to his left,

the set faces reveal so much of the posing group, Pater,
the reverend, passive, resigned, and regal as pastors often are,
Mater fails to turn her thin lips into a smile, her handsome

face, a pale reflection of the beauty of her youth. His left hand reaches
out to catch the chair behind, His boyish face is factious, his thoughts
with Rachel and a daughter that events have cast adrift,

the porcelain-like child he cannot hold aloft. He will watch from across
a crowded street when Rachel collects her soldier’s separation allowance.
Grandma succumbed to those soft brown eyes that sit so well.

There is longing in his face, a wistfulness, a kind of brokenness. How
often had Mam told us about Gwilym, 'He is lovely, said great Nan,
a gentleman.' Mam had asked, "Where is my Dada," and told

his ship had sunk off the coast of Japan, a sop bought out of longing.
'An artificer, a petty officer of engineering.' But his grandson found
him, from the genealogy, in Devon, across the Severn with a second

family. We could have met him there, Mam would have danced, sang:
Arglwydd dyma fi - I am coming home to thee, cried tears of joy.
But we were the hidden ones, the ones he was obliged to give up,

the ones he'd always longed for, the ones he would imagine
he would come home to. We are left wondering if Gwilym died
with a flickering residue of memory, of Mam skipping across

that crowded street, hand in hand with Rachel, and did he long
to be there with them, to hold them in his arms again.

Ieuan ap Hywel
Writer’s Block 15th September 2017

[Kenneth2816]

Telling My Father I Write Poetry

Nurses wash you with their hair
trailing over ribs and rigging;
the faint remnant of a tri-masted
galleon on custard colored skin.

In the Liberation of '44, you sailed
the Champs Elysees with the swagger
of conquest. Women jostled to litter
your path with flowers, kiss your face.

Now you've pissed yourself again.

I give your name to the night clerk, fresh
bed clothes to orderlies side step
piles of soiled linen.

None noticed the two shots
and a beer I need just to be
the last of your sons to come.

[Kenneth2816]

Original unpublished work.
Not representing elsewhere.
Ken Ashworth

ashworthken@yahoo.com

[Michael (MV)]

 
Thanks Frank; Thanks Kenneth:

Good Luck in the finals.

I'm messaging bernie - if he doesn't already have a poem committed to represent another board, perhaps he'll agree to one of his representing WB for this October IBPC

Thanks Frank for forefronting Not Illegal in Mississippi

I 2nd it

Michael (MV)

 
 
 
 

[Bernie01]

Michael---

if this is still current---


Not Illegal In Mississippi

I notice you writing a letter
as the burgeoning hush
falls across the library,
the stillness on me like a cat,
green table lamps looking back.

Forgive my unasked calculations,
but as you linger until closing
I imagine myself mentioned once
in your note where you smile,
your dark lashes lower and close
for a man I will not know by name.

I would share your table, your paper
and the shell of your private life;
I would be a starched sailor dropping
by rope from the rigging to your table.
A man with eyes the color of seaweed
and a red bandanna fixed at the throat.

I tie a blanch of red grapes to your lapel,
lonely Pluto looks on, stars keep
to themselves and burn to the ground.



my unpublished poem

Bernard Henrie