Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Take A Chance Challenge Review - Poetry

I'm happily participating in Jenners' Take A Chance Challenge. There are so many great challenges, but I felt that I had to try the poetry one first. Here are Jenners' directions for this one:

Poetic Review. Write a book review in three different forms of verse: haiku, limerick and free verse. (You can pick any book you want to write about.)

I chose Edith Felber's Queen of Shadows. This was a page turner historical fiction novel about Queen Isabella's rocky marriage to King Edward II. Poor Queen Isabella quickly learns that her husband prefers the company of his male companions and advisors. The novel keeps your attention as you watch an unlikely friendship develop between Queen Isabella and her lady in waiting, Gwineth. Filled with revenge, Gwineth originally wanted to bring down both the King and Queen. Seeing Isabella's loneliness and respecting Isabella's sense of honor, Gwineth quickly learns to love the Queen as a surrogate mother and friend.

Here are my three poetic attempts at a review of this terrific novel.

Limerick

Isabella heard the bang, bang on the wall
as the King shared his scepter with all,
Her lady in waiting held her hand
wondering about the next demand
And whose head under axe would fall.

Haiku

Adultery and greed
plagued Queen Isabella's nights
schemes and plans fill days


Free Verse

Stepping off a ship,
greeted by golden king,
young queen dreamed of love,
soon discovered betrayal.

Regal bearing grows,
as wisdom fueled by neglect,
mature queen seeks loyalty,
and aches for lost dream.

Remember that I'm still pumped up on antibiotics, so I did my best anyway:) I actually have to go to the doctor again tomorrow. Now I'm having joint pain which could mean some complications. Great! I can't seem to kick this thing. Oh well, I'll probably be on more medication tomorrow!

Hope you take the opportunity to read Queen of Shadows. I think you'll enjoy it!!

22 comments:

Kim said...

Antibiotics or not, these were really well crafted. I don't often read historical fiction (is that the right genre?) but I have read some of Phillipa Gregory's stuff and loved it. It's more soap opera-ish though.

I feel the same as you - tired of being tired and tired of being sick. I had mastitis last week and now I have a sinus infection and irritating cough that won't let me sleep:( I feel like a broken record when people ask me how I'm feeling. I've started lying and saying - Oh I feel great!
Get well soon Kelly!!

Sneaky Momma said...

I'm so impressed! Your post reminds me that I need to get on the ball as far as this challenge is concerned! :)
I do hope you kick this illness soon.

Valerie said...

Your three poetic attempts were really good. I'm useless at poetry but I recognise good ones when I read them.

Warren Baldwin said...

The poems were good, but so was your 1 paragraph summary!

Heather said...

Wow... look at you go! Those were great! Sounds like a fascinating book.

Joanne said...

Sometimes summing up stories in one or two lines is the absolute most difficult writing to do. You did great ... I like the Haiku the best. It seems to effectively say it all. Good luck at the doctor's, hope you're better soon!

Debbie said...

I am impressed! These are great.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the Birthday wish! Plus I got to see the challenge. I want to try one.

Randi said...

My favorite was the limerick. It captured the feeling of dread or anxiety the queen must have lived under. But all were fantastic, and like Warren said, even the summary. Way to master the challenge!

Jenners said...

The book sounds really fascinating. I think the limerick is my favorite ... love the line about the king's scepter!

Hope you get rid of this thing once and for all!!! I'm sure it has been painful!!! Hang in there!

The Write Girl said...

Wonderful poems Septembermom. Man, this book does sound good...I will have to check it out.
I hope you feel better : )

Unknown said...

You did an awesome job! I loved your poems and now I want to read that book.

The poetry challenge will be difficult for me - writing poetry is definitely not in my comfort zone. You, however, have a real talent. Thanks for the great review!

shabby girl said...

I love what you do with words Kelly. It's always thoughtful, and creative. Just by the explanation, I'm not sure I would have read this book, but your poetry sheds another light.
Please get well! Such a bummer, not only having an illness, but complications??? Yikes!

Michelle said...

Yikes! That's no fun for you. I LOVE historical fiction... currently reading The Favored Child by Philippa Gregoy, which I am loving. I'm definitely going to have to remember this one.

Mervat said...

If that is what you produce when you are unwell, I can't imagine what you could do when well. You are truly talented. Get well soon.

kel said...

very well done! I am very impressed!!

Jillien said...

OoOoo I love the limerick!

And thank you for visiting my blog and commenting on my poem!

jm

Gerri said...

ooh, this story sounds juicy!

Becca said...

Great poems! I like the last line of the limerick especially. Here is mine: http://imlostinbooks.blogspot.com/2009/06/saturday-review-girls-in-trucks-by.html

Cindy said...

great poetry! and I love this time period so I came away with another book for my TBR list-thanks!

Sandra Stiles said...

Thank you, You have introduce me to an author I was not familiar with. I will enjoy this one and you did an awesome job with your poetry.

kayerj said...

I enjoyed your poems very much and they gave a great peek into the book. I don't know why it is that royalty always seems to make a mess of their life. my poetic review is here thanks for stopping by.