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Oct-1-2007 22:14

"But Anikka," you say, "didn't you just do a contest?"

Yeah, yeah I did. :-) Almost like Christmas, isn't it.

So, the idea here is to write an Epic Ode to Sleuth. Maybe not as epic as some other epic odes, but kinda on the epic side. So, why is it starting so early and running for so long? Because it's not so easy to write an epic ode, that's why. There's a ton of tweaking. Maybe. And just in case there is, you've got plenty of time to work it.


Rules:

Your ode must consist of 8-12 four-line stanzas (32-48 lines) and be about a Sleuth-related subject.

Spelling counts. (When doesn't it? Never!)

Your poem must flow. Read it out loud to yourself, you will know if it doesn't seem right. There is no set rhythm, so make your own.

You must follow the following rhyming pattern: AABA, BBCB, CCDC, etc. The last stanza must have the A rhyme in the third line.

Please, no more than ONE entry per person. Make sure you're happy with what you have before committing it to the thread.

Entries must be posted no later than 11:59 PM server time on October 25, 2007.


Example:

Lilangel will be posting an example so that you can see what the rhyming pattern looks like. Please keep in mind that you are not required to write with a Noir voice, or in any vernacular.


Prizes:

Yes, I'm actually announcing the prize this time. There is one prize:

A two-room apartment and $100,000 to go toward furniture. ($300,000)

In the event of a two-way tie, each winner will get a one-room apartment and $70,000 to go toward furniture. ($150,000 per person)

Prizes are compliments of Lilangel, Stooby, and Anikka.


Get those pencils and typing fingers revved and ready! And...... GO!

Oct-2-2007 19:16


here's an example:

Come, join me in dis here booth,
Have a shot of dry Vermouth,
Whilst youse hear of how it began,
Now I’m tellin’ ya da truth.

Benny Boy, a marvelous man,
Thought up a wond’rous plan,
Ta make a game on dis here site,
And made many a fan.

Sunny helped Ben wit much delight,
An’ dem twos worked both day an’ night.
Deys be wantin’ many players ta come,
So’s dey made da game just right.

Da internet begins ta hum,
Peoples find dis game awesome!
All dere days an’ nights dey play,
Whilst Benny Boy sits on his bum.

So many came, but would dey stay?
Dey soon found out wit no delay,
Whilst some, deys played fer free,
Udders was willin’ ta pay!

Sometimes dese players disagree
‘bout which of dem is da best city;
But, deys here ta have fun,
Come over here you’ll see.

Dey races to get dey cases done
An’ sees what treasures dey won.
Arch Villain here, he is bad -"
Dey find him dere wit a gun.

Dat dirty, stinkin’, rotten cad -"
Ta sees ya dead will make him glad.
Wit ya shot in da head,
Youse agents will be very sad.

What’d dey do wit ya lyin’ dead?
Ya knows dat villain fled.
Dat crazy little stinkin’ runt
Pumped ya body full o’ lead.

I tell you, he pulled a big stunt.
Of all da pains, youse gets da brunt!
Hows do youse erase?
Is dis da end o’ youse villain hunt?

Udders, dey can’t finish youse chase;
Youse needs ta get youse a new case.
Dis here’s an Ode to a great game, Sleuth,
An’ hows we likes ta spend our days.

Dedicated to Sunny and Ben

Oct-2-2007 19:55

YAY! That was great! And you used the word "udders" twice. Very nice example. :)

Oct-3-2007 00:29

good example lil'. :)

Oct-3-2007 08:06

doh... that example was supposed to read:

Ode to Sleuth
dedicated to Sunny and Ben

then the poem...

oops... sorry about that... and i chose to dedicate it, it is also your choice to do what you will.

Oct-6-2007 13:00

Very nicely done, lilangel!!

Oct-17-2007 22:00

“Detective! Detective!” In she ran
“Yes, yes, can I help you, ma’am?”
“My brother, he’s dead can ya help me please?
The poor little boy, his name was Dan.”

“Yes ma’am, yes, put yer mind at ease,
Tell me more about the little murder, please!”
“Well, run and talk to Mrs. Jennifer Rowe,
And money’s no problem I’ll pay yer fees!”

So off I was with a case in tow,
Out into the blizzard, out into the snow,
Headed where little miss Rowe’s house was,
Somethin’ tells me this’ll be a good show!

Ran up to the house but didn’t knock because
I wanted to do what a good sleuth does.
I searched the victim’s home and I found a hair,
A note and a thread all balled into fuzz.

I took a look at them right then and there,
The note was by a chap who didn’t care.
He threatened the victim, oh, yes he did,
The note even gave ME a scare!

I found the victim; he was just a kid,
5 or 6 years old, barely outta the crib.
A person that could kill a kid is mighty bad;
I knew I had ta catch him ‘fore he flips his lid.

Went to talk to Mrs. Rowe, she was pretty mad,
“Detective, why’d ya come? Ta make me sad?”
She told me bout a mister James O’ Mally.
I went to talk to him, cause now I was glad!

“Now detective, I don’t mean to dally,
But ya really need ta talk to Sister Sally!”
He told me he was with the waiter, now I
Counted it up, that’s four on the tally.

I went to the convent, and spied with my eye,
A woman, who’s a nun, hangin’ clothes ta dry.
I went up to chat with her, and what did I see?
That sweet little nun was really a guy!

His alibi was fake, that crazy Lee,
And the fuzzed up thread matched his weeds.
The worst thing is I caught him puttin’
A substance into somethin’ he called Cree,

Which was a chocolaty form of Tapioca puddin’
Then I said he really shouldn’
Be givin’ poison ta little kids, oh no!
For that was what killed little Dan Sootin.

And that’s the end of this little po’m,
Of the strangest, easiest case, fought out in the cold.
So, all y

Oct-17-2007 22:01

Give a hand to Anikka for The Epic Ode!

Oct-17-2007 22:02

(Sorry, it cut the end off)

And that’s the end of this little po’m,
Of the strangest, easiest case, fought out in the cold.
So, all you detectives, both big and small,
Give a hand to Anikka for The Epic Ode!

Oct-21-2007 20:47

ODE TO THE TREASURE HUNT

It all began with this game we call Sleuth
We all have fun and try to be couth
The game is filled with treasures to hunt
Getting the right favor is like pulling a tooth.

We go to the townies, and really are blunt
If the barber is needed, that’s who we confront
It’s very upsetting to hear, “I don’t need anything right now”
As we walk away mumbling “I just did 3 cases you dumb little runt”

We consult other agents and have a pow-wow
One of us must get it, someway, somehow
When we hear what we want, we get right to work
We then send the killer to the hoosegow

For doing the favor, we get a pearl handled dirk
If it’s a key hunt we call it a perk
At least one of us has the safe cracking skill
We work to the next favor, as other killers still lurk

We need to more keys to go for the kill
While one of us solves, the others just chill
This hunts almost over, we’ll soon have the treasure
At least that’s the wish we try to fulfill

On to the next favor, we’re working together
The reward for this favor is boots made of leather
The end is in sight, one more and we can crack
Getting that trophy will bring us all pleasure

The hunt moves to London, a minor setback
We send the safecracker first, we’re on the right track
Inside that safe, we knows there’s a tome
The safe is now open, our guys got that knack

Eye Spy takes the trophy and puts it in their dome
So now it is time to wrap up this poem
This hunt was fun, that’s the Gods honest truth
Much thanks to our leaders, woody and CarrieMehome

Oct-22-2007 16:14

I awake with a headache and feeling quite foul
After spending a bit too much time in the Owl
The buzz of the Agency echoes around
Whilst Mabelle, the clerk, glances up with a scowl

Before I continue, a bit of background
My father, a banker, respected & sound
Made one huge mistake, and it cost him the earth
Literally - dead - in a box in the ground

A life full of ease, to one without mirth
Continually striving for something of worth
From workhouse, to street, to a sleuth - nothing less
A new name to signal this point of re-birth

My story - to date - one of hard-earned success
With beret & boots - always dressed to impress
My character: street-smart - with both brawn and brains
The Tommy Gun? Well, just for those who transgress

"Phoenix!" Oh dear. The blood from my face drains
"Is it you who's responsible for all these stains?"
The rest of the Agents are gone in a flash
With Mabelle's cold stare on the one who remains

A stuttered apology and then a quick dash
To clean up the stains (and the cigarette ash)
Then off out the door, with a wad of case files,
Some items of gear, and a bit of spare cash

When working a case, it can take several miles
To question all suspects, with glares and false smiles
The Tommy Gun works when they button their lips
But it needs more than force to see through all their wiles

Learn skills, pick up contacts and look out for tips
A grateful townsperson - a sleuth they'll equip
And when your feet itch to see more of this land
Then broaden horizons, by trains or by ships

When going abroad, it's good to have planned
So you have the right kit (and some cash close at hand)
From London to Delhi, New York to Shanghai
(Watch out though, when travelling, for that Pirate Band)

Good will, from those pirates, is in short supply
They're blockading Cairo, they won't let you by
You'll have to rely on your own trickery
Which should be a breeze for a smart Private Eye

(continued...)