A few weeks ago Ed DeCaria announced that the March Madness poetry competition would be back with a new name (Madness! Poetry) and a new website (madnesspoetry.com). At that time he put out the call for poets to audition to be an authlete in the competition.
One part of the audition was to write an original poem to this setup:
Imagine winning five consecutive matchups to reach the Madness! Poetry Finals, then losing to your opponent in a close and controversial final round. Write a concession poem to be shared with your imaginary opponent upon her/his victory. It can be kind, mean, funny, defiant … whatever.
Well, I wrote the poem but then decided to keep my hat out of the ring and not enter. However, all is not wasted. Now that entries are closed, I will share my poem of concession as today’s Poetry Friday offering.
A Pun-kin Shake
Concession (for now)
I see that I am bested
and I accept my fate
but give me just another year
and I am sure I’ll rate.
Twelve months of rhythmic exercise
of jogging iambs, spondees
of breathing hyperbolic air
a year of pumping ironies.
A diet rich in meataphor
poetic pun-kin shakes
served with sides of organic rye-me
limerick and lime breaks.
spiced with sage and cinnanom
cuplets of pear-ody
joined stickily with enjambment
and stanzaic all-eggory.
On such a regimen, I’m sure
to build poetic muscle.
But now farewell—to get this done
I know I’ll have to hustle.
© 2017 by Violet Nesdoly (All Rights Reserved)
Now I wish all Poetry Friday authletes who will soon be in the heat of Madness! Poetry much agile word-ability!
Here’s the Madness! Poetry Calendar to know when all the action is happening. If this competition runs like it did other years, readers get a chance to vote for their favorite poems and poets!
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This post is linked to Poetry Friday, hosted today by Karen at Karen Edmisten*.
Violet Nesdoly / poems 
Brenda Davis Harsham
February 24, 2017 at 6:30 am
I’m working on a novel, so also didn’t throw in my hat. Plus I am frightened! LOL
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Violet Nesdoly
February 24, 2017 at 9:36 am
Thanks Brenda! I’m in the same boat, sort of, working on a big project and don’t need distractions and excuses to keep me from what is sometimes hard work 😉
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Brenda Davis Harsham
February 24, 2017 at 5:43 pm
Exactly. I am struggling with my POV and narrator voice. Procrastinating is not helping.
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Tabatha
February 24, 2017 at 8:44 am
I love your poem, Violet ❤ ❤
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Violet Nesdoly
February 24, 2017 at 9:51 am
Thanks so much, Tabatha! These silly things are always so much fun to write.
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jama
February 24, 2017 at 9:04 am
So clever, Violet! LOVE the foodie puns. 🙂
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Violet Nesdoly
February 24, 2017 at 9:38 am
Thank you, Jama! I love playing with my food 😉
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Alice Nine
February 24, 2017 at 9:15 am
Love your “pun-kin shake” and your poem. So clever! So humorous. About “keeping your hat out”… I just read Tara’s post today: I think you’d appreciate it.
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Violet Nesdoly
February 24, 2017 at 9:38 am
Thanks, Alice Nine!… and will pop right over to see what Tara has to say.
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bjleepoet
February 24, 2017 at 9:38 am
Ha! Love your poem, Violet! I didn’t join in this year either. I wasn’t looking forward to pulling all nighters like I did last time. We’ll enjoy it from the sidelines, eh?
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Violet Nesdoly
February 24, 2017 at 11:53 am
B.J., I think there was one year when you lasted almost to the end. Those all-nighters paid off! Sorry we won’t be reading your entertaining poems there.
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Jane the Raincity Librarian
February 24, 2017 at 10:30 am
Oh, I love those puns!! 🙂 I’m still just dipping my toes into the poetry world, so I’m certainly not anywhere near ready for any poetry madness! I work with children – there’s already enough madness in my life! 😉
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Violet Nesdoly
February 24, 2017 at 11:55 am
Thanks Jane! Does one ever get fully immersed in the poetry world? But I hear what you’re saying. There’s only room for so much madness in one’s life at one time. I’ll bet you’re a real hit with the kids too.
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Matt Forrest Esenwine
February 24, 2017 at 11:15 am
Fun poem, Violet – sorry to hear you didn’t enter! I, too, have very limited time, but decided to enter because it’s always so much fun…plus, I always get kicked out in the first round, anyway! 😉
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Violet Nesdoly
February 24, 2017 at 11:57 am
Good for you for joining in, Matt. Don’t they always say it’s the busy people who get the most done? I’m sure you’ll do well. Don’t count on being out on the first round.
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qalove
February 24, 2017 at 11:57 am
Loved your poem. I felt smart after figuring it out. You might not understand but English is not my first language but I still ‘understood’ (after some research, and digging my nose into my age-old my thesaurus practically your nose red. Thanks a bunch.
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qalove
February 24, 2017 at 11:58 am
sorrry I meant ‘my nose red’ 🙂
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Violet Nesdoly
February 24, 2017 at 2:49 pm
Wow, I’m impressed qalove! Good for you for sticking with it. I’m sure I couldn’t figure out a word-play poem in another language.
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margaretsmn
February 24, 2017 at 2:41 pm
What a clever concession poem! I’m sorry you didn’t stay in the game. I did it a few years ago and lost on the first round. It’s just not the kind of poetry I write or feel comfortable with.
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Violet Nesdoly
February 24, 2017 at 2:52 pm
Thanks, Margaret! Maybe another year. I enjoy writing this kind of stuff, but knew that such a challenge would take its toll in energy and focus.
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Tara Smith
February 24, 2017 at 6:03 pm
Such fun to read this…I will share this with my sixth graders, they’ll love the play on poetic words, too.
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lindabaie
February 25, 2017 at 8:11 am
I imagine you would have made the entries, Violet with your clever poem. Your “punning” is clever and hard to beat! I’m watching from afar and will love the contest, but other March things are taking my time.
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Violet Nesdoly
February 25, 2017 at 9:37 am
Thank you, Linda. I too will be watching from afar, maybe putting in a vote or two, but well out of the stress.
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Linda Mitchell
February 25, 2017 at 9:04 am
Ha! A year of pumping ironies….and rhyme and all the other parts of poetry. Super funny and also conciliatory. Thanks for the giggle….and a solid poem offering.
Have a great week!
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Violet Nesdoly
February 25, 2017 at 9:53 am
Thank you, Linda! You have a good week too.
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dorireads
February 26, 2017 at 3:54 pm
I love all that poetic muscle. I didn’t apply. I’ve done it a few times in years past. It’s terribly anxiety provoking!
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Violet Nesdoly
February 26, 2017 at 9:24 pm
Thanks, Doraine. About the “terribly anxiety provoking” — I can just imagine. One would almost hope to be tossed out in the first round to avoid al the stress. I know i made the right decision.
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haitiruth
March 1, 2017 at 2:41 pm
Oh my goodness, how much fun is that! I love pumping ironies! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
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Violet Nesdoly
March 2, 2017 at 6:10 pm
Thanks so much, Ruth! It was fun wracking my brain for poetic lingo that would serve the fitness idea.
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