May 232010
 

As usual, across the continent vast crowds line up to vote in the villanelle contest!

Voting has officially closed in the in the 2010 Numéro Cinq Villanelle Contest. The people have deliberated and formed an opinion. Let it be recalled that in ancient times the great Greek tragedies were written in just such an atmosphere of competition and public debate, the agon of  literary competition. These Numéro Cinq contests are in a direct line with the classical contests that forced artists to make their greatest efforts. Beauty and competition have always gone hand in hand.

Voting for the Open Shark Class ended in a tie between Gary Garvin’s “Spam Villanelle” and Anna Maria Johnson’s “Water Snakes.”

Spam Villanelle

When will we meet again?
Can’t you answer the call?
Re: Order status 56041

It’s cold, don’t keep me waiting
Here is my number
When will we meet again?

Lovemaking bliss can be yours too
Reward your experience with marketable degree
Re: Order status 56041

Is your cell phone always busy?
Message you sent blocked by our bulk email filter
When will we meet again?

Let’s meet as usually
Your lady will not believe her eyes
Re: Order status 56041

We seek for you all day!
Come upstairs!
When will we meet again?
Re: Order status 56041

—Gary Garvin


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Water snakes

Water snakes pulse in twining surrender,
draping and looping a branch in the sun.
Never was cold-blooded love more tender.

This is how snakes mark the end of winter.
Hours may pass before they are done.
Water snakes pulse in twining surrender.

Hope against hope that he’ll not offend her
the male slithers over the female he’s won.
Never was cold-blooded love more tender.

That no chance of parting will love-making hinder,
tails are plied like wool yarns, hand-spun.
Water snakes pulse in twining surrender.

She has no need for reptilian big spenders;
she makes no promise to be true to one.
Yet never was cold-blooded love more tender.

Lyrical moves over a river render
the promise of life to come.
Water snakes pulse in twining surrender.
Never was cold-blooded love more tender.

—Anna Maria Johnson


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In the Barracuda (Under 16) Class, the winner is Sage Zimmerman for his poem “Cat and Mouse.”



Cat and Mouse


Hobbes the cat is so fat
He can’t catch the mouse
The mouse at Doug’s house

Even though he is on a diet
I can barely lift him
Hobbes the cat is so fat

Hobbes is sleeping on the bed
The mouse is creeping on Doug’s head
The mouse at Doug’s house

Pet me, brush me, feed me now
I want food “meow meow”
Hobbes the cat is so fat

Sneaking, peaking,squeaking
Up and down the stairs
The mouse at Doug’s house

Around and around they run
Eating food is so much fun
Hobbes the cat is so fat
The mouse at Doug’s house

—Sage Zimmerman

  One Response to “The First Ever Numéro Cinq Villanelle Contest–The People’s Choice Winners!”

  1. More of you guys vote next time! “Water Snakes” is a vastly superior poem.

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