Write a Gertrude Poem

Poetry Contest
The topic for this poetry contest is: Poem in Gertrude meter.

I first heard this wonderful, rolling rhythm in kiwisteveh's "Grampus Saves the World". I've since learned that the meter is similar to that of Poe's "The Raven". I've written two poems using it, including "Fear" and "Oops!". Since no official name exists for it, I named it Gertrude form, thanks to a suggestion by CrystieCookie999, who didn't know of a name for it, but said she hoped that it was NOT called Gertrude. So, of course, being the rebel I am, I named it Gertrude. :)

The rhythm goes like this, with da being unaccented and DUM being an accented syllable. The letters A, B, C show the rhyme pattern in one stanza.

da da DUM da da da DUM da (A)
da da DUM da da da DUM da (A)
da da DUM da da da DUM da da da DUM (B)
da da DUM da da da DUM da (C)
da da DUM da da da DUM da (C)
da da DUM da da da DUM da da da DUM (B)

The last da blends with the first two da's of the next line to keep the pattern of three da's together to make a total of six groups of da da da in every three lines.

Here is my 3-stanza poem "Fear" that uses this meter.
NOTE: Pronounce "our" as "ow-er", even tho it's technically one syllable.

Fear
by Phyllis Stewart

I am having palpitations
'cause of awful expectations,
for I fear that something evil is about.
I am worried and I'm quaking
with considerable shaking;
there is danger lurking near without a doubt.

If I venture from my cover
I'm afraid I may discover
that it's waiting for me somewhere in the dark,
but I'll check with trepidation
for I'm needing confirmation,
so I'm getting myself ready to embark.

If you find that I've gone missing,
just enjoy some reminiscing
on the fun we shared together on this site
and remember with affection
our poetry connection
and the laughter and the love we shared each night.


The contest winner will win half of the prize pool which is based on the number of entries. The second and third place winners will each share the remaining prize pool. The prize pool is currently 65.00 member dollars. There are 5 spots still open. If all open spots are used the prize pool will be 90.00 member dollars. In this contest at least 5 submissions must be made for the vote to begin.

Deadline: Contest is closed. Deadline was Wednesday, July 31, 2013.




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Created by Phyllis Stewart
Contest is not monitored. No disqualifications. This contest has ended. But there are over 50 other contests that you can enter. Click here to view our contest listing. Please click here to view the results of this contest.

This contest requires "blind" entries. That means your posted work will have no means to identify you when viewed. Your name and other information will not be shown. Fan notifications will not be sent for work posted in this contest. It will still be available in your portfolio and treated like all other posts. But when viewed information to identify it with you will not be shown until after the voting is completed. As a blind entry, authors should make every effort to ensure that their identity can not be determined from the post. That includes formatting of text, descriptions, title formatting and author notes.

This contest is open to all members. Past contest winners can join the contest. A voting booth will be created shortly after the deadline is reached. At that time all participants will be contacted so they can vote.

The voting booth will include this summary of the contest:

    Must be in Gertrude form and at least 12 lines long. Meter and rhyme pattern per stanza shown.

    da da DUM da da da DUM da (A)
    da da DUM da da da DUM da (A)
    da da DUM da da da DUM da da da DUM (B)
    da da DUM da da da DUM da (C)
    da da DUM da da da DUM da (C)
    da da DUM da da da DUM da da da DUM (B)


If you plan to write for this contest reserve a spot. There are a limited number of entries. A vote by writers will determine the winner. The decision is final. All members that submit a work are encouraged to vote. One entry per person. New entries to the site only. If you already posted a work on FanStory.com that work is not eligible for a contest.

Click the link above to submit your entry. Members with reservations can use the link provided in their contest profile. Members may not request votes, mention contest entries, or notify potential voters of the vote by private message or other means as specified in the contest terms. The site automatically checks for this form of communication. A break in the contest terms will result in the cancellation of the account.

Deadline: Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at 11:59pm EST.

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