the Poetry Pentathlon will be held at the
Book Cellar
4738-4738 N. Lincoln
September 19th-7to9pm
Time to Prep for the Poetry Pentathlon.
Registration is currently open,
Just let us know you want to play
E-mail weirdowatch1@gmail.com
Subject:Pentathlon
include your name, a short bio, and your intent to compete
we will reply with confirmation
Registration closes August 19th
THE EVENTS
THE FORM POEM-THE SESTINA
A sestina is a form of poetry that uses a method of repeating words at the end of each line. It has 6 stanzas of 6 lines each, with an envoy (or tercet) of three lines to conclude the poem. While a sestina may seem daunting at first, they can be used to create vivid, powerful poems.
INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO WRITE A SESTINA CAN BE FOUND HERE or http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Sestina
THE RANT
The Rant is technically another “form”. The guidelines are pretty free form, but if you need instruction go HERE or
http://www.ehow.com/how_5145194_write-rant-poem.html
Poets have long written about the things that vex them. The practice of ranting in poetic verse dates back to at least Ancient Greece, where Homer catches Zeus complaining in The Odyssey: "Mortal men have always put the blame upon us gods!" Though the rant poem is not granted the same canonic acceptance as the sonnet or sestina, rant poetry has flourished from Homer's time to our own.
POEM FOR MULTIPLE VOICES
This one should be self explanatory. It is a contest to write a poem in two (or more) distinct voices. This is the only event where the contestant is allowed to recruit performers to compete as a team. Poets may choose to handle the event solo. Remember that in the Pentathlon, performance is worth half the score...choose wisely
RESCUE & REVISE A BAD POEM
We are not passing judgement. The poem was already declared bad by the now defunct BADPOETRY.COM. We at W4tB believe all poem can be saved, but it won’t be easy. Poem to be rescued will be provide after registration closes (Aug 20th or there abouts)
ON THE SPOT PROMPT
Originally used by Nina Corwin to close out her classic open mic “the Word Gourmet”. A prompt is issued upon your arrival at the Pentathlon. During the course of the show, all contestants are (to the best of their ability) write a poem based in any way shape or form on the issued prompt.
this is always the last event of the evening
