Poetry Challenge ‘Favorite (or least favorite Things)

This poetry challenge is based upon a poem (well a bit of tomfoolery) I wrote ages ago and forgot about.  But the idea for the challenge was inspired by Jesssica’s Japes wonderful poem ‘My Least Favorite things’.  The challenge is simple – just write a poem to the tune/rhythm of the song from ‘The Sound of Music inspired by your favorite or least favorite things.  To start you off, here’s the first bit of the Julie Andrews version.  In case you don’t know how it goes – here it is on video.

My Favorite Things

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things!

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things!

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eye lashes
Silver white winters that melt into spring
These are a few of my favorite things!

When the dog bites, when the bee stings
When I’m feeling sad,
I simply remember
my favorite things
and then I don’t feel so bad!

(Lyrics from here)

OK here’s my version……

Priests in white dresses
With black satin lashes
Rogan Josh curry
In splishes and splashes
Old folks that croak
When they’re trying to sing
These are a few of my favorite things

Figs and leaves soap and Lush bath ballistic
People who bounce and remain optimistic
Sober striped wasps that fly past and don’t sting
These are a few of my favorite things

When the shoes pinch and the roots show
When I’m seeing red
I always remember my favorite things
And then toddle off to bed

©Lynda M Roberts 2010

How to enter

 Write your poem and link it to Bookstains (and a mention).  You can include the button if you want.  All poems are themed so make sure that your poem is appropriate for the Bookstains  Poetry challenge if you are also entering it in a challenge elsewhere. 

For example; ideally Van Gogh would relate to that artist and his life or his paintings in some way and Favorite things would be set to the tune ;Favorite things.

In return for linking with me I will put your poem on Bookstains, mentioning your site and Tweeting your poem.  I will also promote your poem at the end of any post I write on my art based blog echostains.

All poems  will be copyrighted to you of course.

The poems can be in any form including Haiku.  They can be as serious or as humorous as you like.  One liners shall not be accepted 😀

Thanks to acemiturk for the video

Here is the post which inspired the challenge – it’s from the delightful Jessica’s Japes – a blog filled with witty poetry and prose.  Always a delight to visit!

Raindrops on dry hair and whiskers on granny
Dull boring lectures and warm lager bubbly
Soppy and gossipy girlfriend who clings
These are a few of my least favourite things

Cream colored knickers and burnt peach turnovers
Cheesy ringtones and cold pizza leftovers
Old bra strap which at the worst moment pings
These are a few of my least favourite things

Slim girls in cute dresses with model like wiggles
Red spots that sprout on my nose and brown freckles
Dark hairy hunks who bore me in evenings
These are a few of my least favourite things

When the cat purrs
When the bird sings
When I’m in a fine mood
I simply remember my least favourite things
And then I don’t feel so good!

© Jessica D’Angelo 2011

Our next contribution comes from Adam Dustus of The Dustus Blog, Novelist, Poet and Graphic artist – a great site for poetry, prose and poetry challenges – and it’s all to be found HERE!  Here’s his very original take on the challenge:-

My Favorite Things  Sounds Like Life

Imagine an author rejected by agents
Piles of manuscripts rot in the basement
Trying to capture what’s lost through no means
Sounds like life music through lines that he dreams

Expressing emotions through vectors and color
Writing too much ’cause he can’t find a lover
Many see Jesus as resurrecting
Sounds like life music through lines that he dreams

Breakdowns through trauma; forever seems fleeting
Bombardment of images won’t equal feeling
Being original is poetry
Sounds like life music through lines that he dreams

And when the avalanche comes down
As our carnival leaves town
We still search for a reason through time…
Exhaling sad sorrow
Don’t cry for tomorrow
Sing onto death
Sounds like life

(repeat ad nauseam)

©Adam Dustus 2011

The next poem is from Olivia from Olivia’s In-Mind Whirls She has several blogs full of poetry and writings –  always worth a visit!

What I love about these challenges are poets different interpretations.  We are all so unique and this really shows when it comes to poetry (which makes it all the more interesting I think) Our next poem comes from Kavita whose wonderfully creative blog ‘How I write, is mine – How you read, is yours’ is well worth visiting!

Tough Weakners

White butter clouds
hanging oh so playfully
From silver chords
wound ’round sky’s own old pulley
Azure heavens
crisp and pure as can be
Kissed and nudged
by weightless zephyrs on sea

Caramel swirls
of a sweet salted delight
Set off alarms,
sizzle and make me feel light
Milk chocolate layers
that melt on my tongue
From moody
dungeons back now I have sprung

Voice so rich
like deep bass amidst clamor
Eyes that pierce
right through my heart’s hard armor
Dense shadows
of lashes dark, curled and long
And trembling
transparent like some frail song

If I can do
I sure will do
All that’s in my power…
To blow a few bubbles and indulge myself
In this warm sinful shower…

©Kavita 2011

Here’s a gorgeous soothing poem by Stephanie who has started a lovely poetry blog ‘The Attic’ which promises to be a great hit – so please check it out 🙂

I’m Leaving for Dreams

Curled on the blanket with tucked teddy Turtle
sung wailsome worry and back breaking hurdle
time is undone under silver moonbeams
this is the moment I’m leaving for dreams.

Eyes bright with fervor and passionate longing
heart beating harder and whispers imploring
when slipping under the warm bubbling stream
this is the moment I’m leaving for dreams.

When I go dreaming, relief’s that I’m leaving
walking on clouds to the soft steady breathing
granting, the silence invites me to scream
still it’s the moment I’m leaving for dreams.

When the head aches, when the heart breaks
when the day is done
I simply remember
I’m leaving for dreams
and then I don’t feel so sad.

©2011 Stephanie McManus