THE RONDEAU ROUNDUP: http://therondeauroundup.blogspot.com/
A blog for the exploration,
appreciation and publication of the rondeau, rondel, roundel, rondeau redouble,
rondolet, triolet, and ballade invites you to participate in its next contest:
The Ballade
(Not Ballad) Contest!
This contest is for the best
poem written in the ballade form. A ballade (for the purposes of this contest)
is a poem of 28 lines with the following rhyme scheme:
For more information on writing a ballade: https://www.youngwriters.co.uk/types-ballade
One of my favorite examples of a poem in this form is by Dorothy Parker:
Ballade Of A Great Weariness
There's little to have but the things I had,
There's little to bear but the things I bore.
There's nothing to carry and naught to add,
And glory to Heaven, I paid the score.
There's little to do but I did before,
There's little to learn but the things I know;
And this is the sum of a lasting lore:
Scratch a lover, and find a foe.
And couldn't it be I was young and mad
If ever my heart on my sleeve I wore?
There's many to claw at a heart unclad,
And little the wonder it ripped and tore.
There's one that'll join in their push and roar,
With stories to jabber, and stones to throw;
He'll fetch you a lesson that costs you sore:
Scratch a lover, and find a foe.
So little I'll offer to you, my lad;
It's little in loving I set my store.
There's many a maid would be flushed and glad,
And better you'll knock at a kindlier door.
I'll dig at my lettuce, and sweep my floor,
Forever, forever I'm done with woe.
And happen I'll whistle about my chore,
"Scratch a lover, and find a foe."
L'ENVOI
Oh, beggar or prince, no more, no more!
Be off and away with your strut and show.
The sweeter the apple, the blacker the core:
Scratch a lover, and find a foe!
There's little to have but the things I had,
There's little to bear but the things I bore.
There's nothing to carry and naught to add,
And glory to Heaven, I paid the score.
There's little to do but I did before,
There's little to learn but the things I know;
And this is the sum of a lasting lore:
Scratch a lover, and find a foe.
And couldn't it be I was young and mad
If ever my heart on my sleeve I wore?
There's many to claw at a heart unclad,
And little the wonder it ripped and tore.
There's one that'll join in their push and roar,
With stories to jabber, and stones to throw;
He'll fetch you a lesson that costs you sore:
Scratch a lover, and find a foe.
So little I'll offer to you, my lad;
It's little in loving I set my store.
There's many a maid would be flushed and glad,
And better you'll knock at a kindlier door.
I'll dig at my lettuce, and sweep my floor,
Forever, forever I'm done with woe.
And happen I'll whistle about my chore,
"Scratch a lover, and find a foe."
L'ENVOI
Oh, beggar or prince, no more, no more!
Be off and away with your strut and show.
The sweeter the apple, the blacker the core:
Scratch a lover, and find a foe!
May I send Ballade entry to contest using your email address? if so, what is it? Or, how do I send to ""? I've already tried using this as email address and it does not work. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDiscover A Breakthrough Method That Will Skyrocket Your Singing Ability .
ReplyDeleteImprove Your Singing Voice, Sing With Better Control, And Gain Up To A Full Octave In Your Vocal Range .
https://superiorsingingmethodfreedownload.weebly.com/