"Open Space A to Z Contest

[Bert Elliott]

Here goes:

Ascending beyond constricted diatribes
Enlightening fear-gripped henchmen
Igniting jaded knotted leaders
Mountaineering new open precipices
Quietly restoring space to
Understand, value, wish
X-citing your zuchini

Well- my dictionary had a really small "Z" section and all the good ones were already used.

ralphsc wrote:

> Dear Open Spacies:
>
> And now for something completely different
>
> It's a contest, right here in the open space and you may help select the winner, as well as enter as many times as you wish.  Read on.
>
> As some of you know, I dabble in poetry.  One exercise that poetry teachers often assign for young or inexperienced poets is this.  Write a poem of only 26 words using the letters of the alphabet, in order, with each letter being the first letter of a word.
>
> For example...
>
> Always be careful
> Doubt every force
> Gathered here in jealous kisses
> Let my nearness only press
> Quiet, restful stretches together,
> Useful verities will x-cite you zealously.
>
> Okay, so I cheated on the "x".  It's allowed for that one letter.
>
> The challenge/contest:
>
> 1.  Write an alphabet poem, in the style exemplified above, describing open space.  The title, if you include one, may or may not be part of the alphabetic scheme (your choice).
>
> 2.  Author of the best entry will receive a free copy of John Adams' just-published new book,
> "Thinking Today As If Tomorrow Mattered" (a fresh exploration of how people and organizations can change their consciousness to help save the planet from environmental deterioration).
>
> 3.  You may submit more than one entry.
>
> 4.  You may submit your entries in any language as long as you also supply an English translation (which does not have to be alphabetical).
>
> 5.  After a suitable period of time, I'll compile all the entries into one e-mail and publish it here.  Listserve subscribers can then submit their votes as to the best one.  Top vote-getter become the winners.  I get one vote, too.
>
> 6.  VARIATION: If you prefer, submit your entry in reverse-alphabetical order.
>
> 7.  Why am I doing this?  I want to promote John's book, I like promoting poetry, and I think it'll be fun!
>
> 8.  NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE NECESSARY.  If you have never ever written a poem, so what!  Take a whack at it.  It's fun.  It's good for the mind.  And it tickles the funny-bone.
>
> 9.  You may cheat on th "x".
>
> To help get you thinking, here's a (non-eligible) alphabet poem on open space I did the other day. (I incorporated the title).  Yours, of course, will be better.
>
> Agendas Beckoning
>
> Circles debut effortlessly.
> Fresh gists,
> Honored in juiciful knowing,
> Loosen miraculous, new, open passions,
> Quenchable, really,
> Since time undoes vexatious worry.
> X-tend your zone!
>
> C'mon now ­ give it a try!  Win the prize!!
>
> Ralph Copleman