Update: Winners announced: https://classicalpoets.org/shortest-poem-contest-winners-announced/\
Scroll down and read the comments section to enjoy all of the submissions.
Write the shortest possible rhyming poem that still has meaning. Post it in the comments section below under your full name and general area of residence (“Bob Smith, Denver, Colorado”). You may choose any topic, but please be respectful and no dirty humor. Two entries allowed per poet.
When: Now June 9, 2018 midnight EST. Winner Announced June 18, 2018.
Who: Anyone in the world, any age or background, may participate. From within the Society, anyone not involved in judging the contest may participate.
Prize: $100
Judge: Advisory Board Members who choose to participate
Entry Fee: None
Examples: Our first example comes from Joe Tessitore of New York City, New York, who came up with this contest. Thank you, Joe!
Cooperation
One ant can’t.
A classic example comes from Strickland Gillilan (1869-1954). It has also been published under the name “Fleas”:
Lines on the Antiquity of Microbes
Adam
Had’em
oh,mysterious time,
tick tick tick tick…
you keep singing to our ears,
Telling us the end is near,
Bernnard Austin, Lagos, Nigeria
David Watt, Canberra, Australia
Slow Service
We ate at eight.
Too late!
“Capitalism” One man can.
Pawling, NY
Who called whom
The womb?
The tomb!
Since I didn’t know that my example was going to be an entry can I add a second line to it so it reads:
one ant can’t
three? maybe
Joe Tessitore
New York, NY
Of course, Joe.
I
M
A
G
I
N
E
I
M
A
G
I
N
E
.
.
.
I believe,
Therefore
I am.
Lou Fortunato, Apex, North Carolina
My Humor…
I dribble drivel
Origin of deception
Eve Deceive!!!
Shiny Titus New York
Shiny Titus , New York
Epitome of Love
“For your embrace
I forego paradise “
To my cancer scars
The eloquence, a sign of survival
Either visible or hidden, you are a symbol of bravery
The essence, definition of a fighting warrior, a phenomenal
A knock of a slight oblivious rage-subconscious trickery
Let the soul pour out a lavish smile of pride
It is flesh not soul injured, you assured
From a broken temple, courage and bliss you provide
A panacea of battles fought and conquered
To you is hidden a million intriguing reasons why?
The reason you exist is perplexing yet amusing and greater
A mark only a warrior can imprint with no shy
A vanquisher, fighter… A true victor!
I admire you
I embrace you
To make or spend
To earn or burn
Hunt or feast
Bliss in the end
E.J. Hagadorn, Farmington, CT
“Scoff”
Poetry, shmoetry!
When time to Quit
Don’t say Wit!
EULOGY
Fred’s dead
STOOD UP
Bride cried
Jacksonville, FL 32224
RUSSIAN ROULETTE
Bang, poof, the devils dance!
Neither side had a chance.
Trumpster showed his dukes.
and Putin sent back nukes.
—Leo Yankevich, Gliwice, Poland
RUSSIAN ROULETTE
Bang, poof, the devils dance!
Neither side had a chance.
Trumpster showed his dukes,
and Putin sent back nukes.
—Leo Yankevich, Gliwice, Poland
Rachel Holbrook
Knoxville, TN
“Dangerous Disappointment”
Resident president.
LIBERALS (poem 2)
Christians who neither search,
believe or go to church.
Leo Yankevich, Gliwice, Poland
This tome, a song of holy om;
a roaming soul’s journey along
the yonder dome, ov’r ocean foam
to reach the home, we all belong.
(This poem is from my book FINDING THE MOTHER , published in 2012)
Sathyanarayana,
Nellore, India
Many travel the world in search of what’s outside themselves
Yeah, sometimes we go astray before we pass the test
Meditation on Aging
Such amazement
at where his days went!
Here’s a short poem fem Mark Soifer; Where
ver I go-Ego
Invitation
Visitor is a critter.
Wall Tab
Stick ‘um with gum.
Leonard Dabydeen, Brampton, Ontario.