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Worthy of the Pulitzer
by Beth LaBuff
A small town, Dismal City,
In the center of the state,
Never had excitement,
Life was doleful and sedate.
The local town newspaper
Called the Dismal City News,
Was filled with drab and boring stuff,
Had nothing to amuse.
The paper had one writer,
A columnist – a hack,
He drafted stories lacking zest,
His Christian name was Zach.
Zach drove an old Ford pickup,
A dent pressed in the fender,
His faded jeans stayed on his waist
Held by a lone suspender.
Dismal City saddened Zach
‘Cause nothing would occur.
His dream—to write a story
Worthy of the Pulitzer.
An article or simple poem
Like Shakespeare, Poe, or Keats,
A story that could make folks cry
Or glue them to their seats.
Zach pondered his dilemma
Then jumped into his Ford,
Headed south on Dreary Lane,
The speed limit, ignored.
Drove past the city limits,
The story—It could wait,
Then ‘cross his path a chicken strolled.
It almost met its fate.
That’s when the story came to him!
His mind worked to devise
A story so sensational,
One sure to win a prize.
With journalistic expertise
He used each writing tool—
Hyperbole when needed—
Stretched writing-ethics-rule.
The article that went to press
Was titled, “Pullet’s Quest”
The byline underneath: “by Zach”—
A feather for his nest.
“The pullet craved adventure—
Apprehension? — there was none.
She trekked across a barren land
Beneath a searing sun.”
“…Was stalked by swirling dust clouds,
No water for her thirst,
Danger, her companion while
The rough terrain traversed.
And then a grim encounter,
Her life flashed ‘fore her eyes,
A massive metal monster
‘Bout led to her demise.”
“…She plunged head-first, away from harm
And narrowly escaped,
She bruised her chicken liver and
Her beak and wattle scraped.
Then predators eluded
‘Cause she camouflaged her comb,
Then traipsed a million miles
‘Fore she found her way back home!”
Zach’s story – “A sensation!”
Said Associated Press,
Put joy in Dismal City,
Zach reveled in success.
And he became a hero—
The Dismal City Bard!
They changed the name of Dreary Lane
To Zachary Boulevard.
About Zach’s pullet story—
What was the inspiration?
And how did Zach create this tale
Of poultry ambulation?
Exaggeration, adjectives? —
A garnished writing-mode?
Simply— Zach embellished how
“The chicken crossed the road."
The story Zach concocted
While driving in his Ford,
Was granted, from the Egg Council,
The ”Pullet-zer Award.”
by Beth LaBuff
A small town, Dismal City,
In the center of the state,
Never had excitement,
Life was doleful and sedate.
The local town newspaper
Called the Dismal City News,
Was filled with drab and boring stuff,
Had nothing to amuse.
The paper had one writer,
A columnist – a hack,
He drafted stories lacking zest,
His Christian name was Zach.
Zach drove an old Ford pickup,
A dent pressed in the fender,
His faded jeans stayed on his waist
Held by a lone suspender.
Dismal City saddened Zach
‘Cause nothing would occur.
His dream—to write a story
Worthy of the Pulitzer.
An article or simple poem
Like Shakespeare, Poe, or Keats,
A story that could make folks cry
Or glue them to their seats.
Zach pondered his dilemma
Then jumped into his Ford,
Headed south on Dreary Lane,
The speed limit, ignored.
Drove past the city limits,
The story—It could wait,
Then ‘cross his path a chicken strolled.
It almost met its fate.
That’s when the story came to him!
His mind worked to devise
A story so sensational,
One sure to win a prize.
With journalistic expertise
He used each writing tool—
Hyperbole when needed—
Stretched writing-ethics-rule.
The article that went to press
Was titled, “Pullet’s Quest”
The byline underneath: “by Zach”—
A feather for his nest.
“The pullet craved adventure—
Apprehension? — there was none.
She trekked across a barren land
Beneath a searing sun.”
“…Was stalked by swirling dust clouds,
No water for her thirst,
Danger, her companion while
The rough terrain traversed.
And then a grim encounter,
Her life flashed ‘fore her eyes,
A massive metal monster
‘Bout led to her demise.”
“…She plunged head-first, away from harm
And narrowly escaped,
She bruised her chicken liver and
Her beak and wattle scraped.
Then predators eluded
‘Cause she camouflaged her comb,
Then traipsed a million miles
‘Fore she found her way back home!”
Zach’s story – “A sensation!”
Said Associated Press,
Put joy in Dismal City,
Zach reveled in success.
And he became a hero—
The Dismal City Bard!
They changed the name of Dreary Lane
To Zachary Boulevard.
About Zach’s pullet story—
What was the inspiration?
And how did Zach create this tale
Of poultry ambulation?
Exaggeration, adjectives? —
A garnished writing-mode?
Simply— Zach embellished how
“The chicken crossed the road."
The story Zach concocted
While driving in his Ford,
Was granted, from the Egg Council,
The ”Pullet-zer Award.”
***
Inspiration:
Proverbs 17:22 KJV
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.
written for a FaithWriters.com writing challenge
© Beth LaBuff -- April 2010
Topic: The Writer's Skill/Craft
8 comments:
Back in High School, I had the privilege of meeting Richard Armour. It was such a thrill for me because his poetry was so much fun. I can safely say that I have now met someone whose poetry is even more fun than Armour's was.
Fun, unique, and creative! I love your gift with words!!
Ha Ha...just love your animal poems!
Bear loved this when she first read it as a Challenge, and was very happy to read it again, and get some more good laughs. Didn't know you had a blog too.
Ha-ha! This is so cute. I love your creativity, and Zachary's, too. I felt a little sorry for the pullet, though. :) ...and I just want you to know that your "nevermore" comment made me laugh!
As always, fun, funny, and a delight. :)
Ooooo, I LOVE your blog, Beth! Whoever is your designer? and who is that cutie on your header? mwa Sweet little girl. Gotta love the granddaughters!
Beth!! Just simply fun and humorous and your way with words is amazing!!
Loved it!! :)
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