mystery box contest
*** The 3d Mystery Box Contest is now CLOSED -
To view the current Mystery Box click here ***
New Mystery Box! New Format!
Two for One: This box I picked up from a junk shop (a.k.a. "antiques boutique") and low and behold inside of it was another box. The images on the lids of each of these boxes should be inspiring, but as a word of warning: neither are in stellar condition, but the interior box in particular has some damage at the corners. Nevertheless, I fell in love with images, especially the floating bowls on the lid of the smaller box. The larger box is approximately 3"x4", the smaller 2"x3".
The rules are the same as usual: Write a poem inspired by the box. The winner receives the box, plus winner's status and publication in an upcoming issue.
This time around, however, we would like you to post your poem to this page. The contest will remain open until September. While ultimately it will be up to the editors to decide the winner, readers will be able to vote on their favorite poem via a poll on Poemeleon: The Blog, so tell everyone you know to vote! We will take those votes into consideration when making the final call.
To view the 1st and 2nd Mystery Boxes click here.
To view the winner of the 1st Mystery Box Contest click here.
To view the winner of the 2nd Mystery Box Contest click here.
Good luck!
Miles bring nature’s blessings
In bowls uplifted
Anniela Langston
outside was just another shell
game & abalone set in lacquer
night: bamboo by convention
temple by impression, water
by lines made real enough
to swallow us in our fine robes
to take us in
to our less
well-drawn
selves—still
iridescent shells
& we believed
in reality
until wedges
surrounded us
with frames
we couldn't name
No exit but our eyes
No world on the other side
--a bowl empty of ink
EKSwitaj
Lead us to sanctuary--
Sharp stalagtites.
Suzzalla Krishna Hare
I would wear ebony robes, walk slowly
wide sleeves enfolding graceful arms
Through the garden I would glide towards the shrine
alabaster birds and clouds lace above
If I were alabaster I would live peacefully
with my companions, the ebony earth and sky
Khadija Anderson
The guru and his bride walk...
Thinking of springtime.
Tanja Cilia
BELATED ADVICE
Do not open the next lid!
Clouds, birds, a stone bridge,
And two people witnessing
Should suffice to satisfy your mind.
There’s no thing in that other box
That you don’t own or haven’t seen
In another form that let you down.
Let the surface give you pleasure.
What’s bad for cats will be worse for you.
If you hope your life would be better
By possessing its contents,
Remember our contrary sister Pandora
When she did what you’re about to,
Letting the last evil flutter out of darkness
And consort with the things of the light.