The ABCtales Superpoem Challenge – The Final Outcome

Huge thanks to Turlough for his brilliant idea, his very generous donation to ABCTales, and to all ABCTalers who joined in. I hope you'll agree that the result was most definitely worth it!

 

 

 

 

The ABCtales Superpoem Challenge – The Final Outcome

 

It delights me to be able to announce that our Superpoem is complete. Many, many thanks to everybody who entered a few lines, and to everyone who took the time to read about it even if they didn’t put pen to paper themselves. Well done everybody!

 

The end result is a poem on the theme of ‘Memory’ that everyone at ABCtales can be proud of as it effectively represents us all. It was compiled on the same sort of basis as the Consequences parlour game where no single author knew what any of the other authors had written.

 

You can read it below, first of all as the full picnic without interruptions, and then beneath that I have broken it up on an author-by-author basis. 

 

Please feel free to comment. I’d love to know what you think of it.

 

 

 

The ABCtales Superpoem – The Full Picnic

 

If you remembered, what terror would be raised from its grave? 

Which kind soul buried there instead?

One

word

after

another

not

connected

in

any

way

cut

ups

thanks

to

Tristan

Tzara

a

Frankenpoem

Half-lit corridors

quiescent over time

where thoughts roam

metaphor and allegory

serving their penance

thieves of always

When it’s time, it's time. 

Every treasure floats free of the wreckage. 

Found memories are Jacob’s ladder.

I quite often go down memory lane.

I find it comforting; it keeps me sane.

Memories play tricks on you.  

Like a lover you once trusted, they slip through your heart.

Melt away

Every day

Mindful of now;

Old fears dissolve

Replaced by

Yearning, let there be tomorrow,

Did it happen to me or did I read it?

You’d think I’d know or disbelieve it.

Fragrance of a blood red rose,

gives clarity and energy to this

flower in its purest form.

Madeleines don’t taste the same

Marathons have another name

Memory’s not to blame

When infamy replaces fame

words like clouds

of breath in cold air

our hearts' warmth 

for all to see

soon gone

Memory

Transparent negative

yours

mine

perception

examined

facts differs

conclusion 

debatable

emotions engaged

argument inevitable

reconciliation 

uncertain

In memory we discover ourselves.

United here are the words of poets,

A cascade of wistful voices.

A quick, fickle flash - yes,

remembering's a newt

in a pool of noon sunlight

on the A40.

Remember your memories, hang onto them tight, 

like the warmest of blankets on the coldest of nights.

Memory slides flicker, not in order

Faded, enhanced, the threads of how you lived

deep

within my heart

day or night

seeing…listening…smell…taste…touching

memories 

with you

Navigating life’s storms and reefs

My past is not a safe harbour 

But a wild Atlantic lighthouse 

 

 

 

 

The ABCtales Superpoem – Author by Author

 

If you remembered, what terror would be raised from its grave? 

Which kind soul buried there instead?

Entry 1, by SoulFire77

 

One

word

after

another

not

connected

in

any

way

cut

ups

thanks

to

Tristan

Tzara

a

Frankenpoem

Entry 2, by Anonymous A

 

Half-lit corridors

quiescent over time

where thoughts roam

metaphor and allegory

serving their penance

thieves of always

Entry 3, by Marandina

 

When it’s time, it's time. 

Every treasure floats free of the wreckage. 

Found memories are Jacob’s ladder.

Entry 4, by Celticman

 

I quite often go down memory lane.

I find it comforting; it keeps me sane.

Entry 5, by luigi _pagano

 

Memories play tricks on you.  

Like a lover you once trusted, they slip through your heart.

Entry 6, by GlosKat

 

Melt away

Every day

Mindful of now;

Old fears dissolve

Replaced by

Yearning, let there be tomorrow,

Entry 7, by Anonymous B

 

Did it happen to me or did I read it?

You’d think I’d know or disbelieve it.

Entry 8, by Anonymous C

 

Fragrance of a blood red rose,

gives clarity and energy to this

flower in its purest form.

Entry 9, by skinner_jennifer

 

Madeleines don’t taste the same

Marathons have another name

Memory’s not to blame

When infamy replaces fame

Entry 10, by Lille Dante

 

words like clouds

of breath in cold air

our hearts' warmth 

for all to see

soon gone

Entry 11, by Anonymous D

 

Memory

Transparent negative

yours

mine

perception

examined

facts differs

conclusion 

debatable

emotions engaged

argument inevitable

reconciliation 

uncertain

Entry 12, by Penny4athought

 

In memory we discover ourselves.

United here are the words of poets,

A cascade of wistful voices.

Entry 13, by Jennifer

 

A quick, fickle flash - yes,

remembering's a newt

in a pool of noon sunlight

on the A40.

Entry 14, by queen beatle

 

Remember your memories, hang onto them tight, 

like the warmest of blankets on the coldest of nights.

Entry 15, by Mark P

 

Memory slides flicker, not in order

Faded, enhanced, the threads of how you lived

Entry 16, by Anonymous E

 

deep

within my heart

day or night

seeing…listening…smell…taste…touching

memories 

with you

Entry 17, by Anonymous F

 

Navigating life’s storms and reefs

My past is not a safe harbour 

But a wild Atlantic lighthouse 

Entry 18, by Turlough