Here is an exciting EKPHRASTIC POETRY contest for teens, ages 13-19. It is organized by Public Poetry in partnership with the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, and it is FREE to enter for teens. So, plan a visit to the museum today and get inspired! Below are the guidelines to write and submit your work. You can view online the five pieces of art that will serve as inspiration for your original poetry.
EKPHRASTIC POETRY may include literal descriptions of a work of art, the poet´s mood in response to a work of art, metaphorical associations inspired by a work of art, or personal memories about a work of art.
Eligibility: All teens, age 13-19, (as of September 8, 2014) are eligible.
- Deadline Extended: Poems must be received by midnight on December 15th, 2014.
No Entry Fee: FREE
Complete information available here.
There is also a competition for adults.
Mokoana Kgotlelelo
The power of pressure is hard to avoid
It seems like everything which you hear, becomes real
But just the pure fantasy
No wonder why children from high class families fall for it
It changes the way we see life, it visualise life in certain dimension
As if we never dies, and that we will rule the world
Deception is the greatest sin
The power of peer pressure introduced me to the new world
The world of perfection, and imagination
The world where I’m less judged
The world where I set my own rules
Where my shyness is all conquered
The world better than paradise
Few years later, I was found lied to death
My body respiratory system couldn’t function on its own
The neurons of my cerebrum were nearly dead
I no longer feel pain, but my internal is all dead
I now visualise life as a useless thing
Wishing that maybe God can take my soul
I’m like the used good which serve no purpose on human life
Just the garbage
Influence is more addictive than advice
And more dangerous than cancer
But we never stop, being influenced badly
Because the relationship we share might go astray
And because I want to prove to my amigos that I can also
Hence a close friend is nothing but the enemy
Because they study your every move
Rehabs, churches and hospitals can’t change my life to its normal phase again
Only if I serve God with all my life, though is late for that
I just have to admit my new life
Because it was I who introduced it.
Mokoana Kgotlelelo
Drug is my Life
The power of pressure is hard to avoid
It seems like everything which you hear, becomes real
But just the pure fantasy
No wonder why children from high class families fall for it
It changes the way we see life, it visualise life in certain dimension
As if we never dies, and that we will rule the world
Deception is the greatest sin
The power of peer pressure introduced me to the new world
The world of perfection, and imagination
The world where I’m less judged
The world where I set my own rules
Where my shyness is all conquered
The world better than paradise
Few years later, I was found lied to death
My body respiratory system couldn’t function on its own
The neurons of my cerebrum were nearly dead
I no longer feel pain, but my internal is all dead
I now visualise life as a useless thing
Wishing that maybe God can take my soul
I’m like the used good which serve no purpose on human life
Just the garbage
Influence is more addictive than advice
And more dangerous than cancer
But we never stop, being influenced badly
Because the relationship we share might go astray
And because I want to prove to my amigos that I can also
Hence a close friend is nothing but the enemy
Because they study your every move
Rehabs, churches and hospitals can’t change my life to its normal phase again
Only if I serve God with all my life, though is late for that
I just have to admit my new life
Because it was I who introduced it.
Mokoana Kgotlelelo
How I wasted my Life
Being the best means a lot
You become an icon to most
You work more so that no one can surpass you
Then pride gets to stand on your way.
I was the best among my friends
I was to pep talk a girl, and leave her on another dimension
My speech was full of punning, which entitled me to be the mastermind among my peeps
Unfortunately, I suffered financially.
I had to try ways of making money
Then here comes a friend with a deal
And I tend to like the deal without thinking of repercussions
Now here I am, dollar boy
I’m living the life of my dreams
My name is rich, in-fact everyone is in love with me
Girls come and go
Like yeah, this is what always wanted
Unfortunately my family are on the bottom of my list
Cause, they aren’t worth my fortune
Now is my time to shine
No kin must interfere with my life
Destiny is the journey, whereby we have to undergo the bitterness, pain, assaults and sacrificial
It doesn’t just come like that, unless you gain luck
Always remember the one who were by your side,
And who groomed and alloyed you to be
That precious metal
Life is not about ostentation, but is about being loyal
To others.
Pride only last for few years, while humanity and dignity
Are immortal.
Now I’m living the life I less expected
I insisted in the deal I was offered, without having a second thought about it
I only wanted money, to build my social status
But now I’m like,’ money is evil”
Cause it endangers our lives
Now I live my life in pain, behind bars
Like I’m giving birth daily
I’m late to rectify my errors
I wasted my time for non-worthless things
I should not put blame on somebody
I guess this is what I wanted
I have to live with it
It’s my destiny
wits
Just want to make sure you understand that sharing your poems here is not the same as entering the contest. The contest website is:
artlines2.net
Good luck!
Mokoana Kgotlelelo
Achievement is like playing in the major league
Where you have multiple challenges to compete in
Where sacrificial and prioritising are the elementary keys
And patience, hard work and dedication are habits.
There way we tackle our problems should be in the positive manner
For which when we fail, we can learn a lesson from that mistake
Having positive attitude can enable us to reach perfection
Hence, no one is perfect
But if we can use the word “perfect” in advance manner
To strive for perfection, then we can achieve the impossible.
Being on top of the edge doesn’t mean you have attained your goal
But you still have more storms to by pass
Which re more challenging than the former ones.
Mokoana Kgotlelelo
Admin, can you please rectify where I commited grammatical errors.
wits
Maybe a teacher can help you?