'Road sign' competition

  • Michael
    5 years ago

    Hi all :)

    Often when driving around, as I do a lot. I come across various signs that always make me think a little different to what they are actually intended for so...

    I thought we could have a little competition - any style of poetry at all to write about 'signs'. Below I have listed the titles for you, so first come first serve basis, however if anyone else should wish to join, then think of one

    I did an example myself too! Two weeks today and I will announce the lucky winner :)

    ‘Weak bridge’

    ‘Low bridge’

    ‘Road ahead closed’

    ‘Men at work’

    ‘Follow diversion’

    ‘slow down for horses’

    ‘humps for 150 yards’

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    ‘Heavy plant crossing’

    I come across this curious sign
    but never has there been a time
    I’ve yet to see one of its kind
    or any sight of a leafy vine

    So I imagine what would be
    that of a plant I may well see
    waiting to cross the road ahead
    carting its load like a ton of lead

    A great big shrub in giant boots
    cobblers win-fall to hold such roots
    cars queuing up press horn and hoots
    It worries not of driving brutes

    Be patient for one so large and slow
    this poor chap needs somewhere to go
    enjoy this greatest show on earth
    this mighty plant of mothers turf

  • Sunshine
    5 years ago, updated 5 years ago

    Low Bridge!

    Also, what a creative prompt! I love it.

    And your poem is really something! Thank you Michael!

  • Hellon
    5 years ago

    Men At Work!

    The sign said "caution, men at work"
    so I thought I should slow down
    drove for more than five miles now
    and there's nowt that I have found.

    No men at work in high viz shirts
    no cones nor lights in place,
    no little knob with his f**kin sign
    to stick right in my face.

    I drive this road each and every day
    so I know these signs exist
    but, you know what mate I also get
    that you're taking the fu**kin piss!

    Yip, council worked at their best
    grouped up looking down a hole
    I've got you clocked, I know the score
    can't wait to get back on the dole...

    Going away tomorrow Michael but...liked your idea so thought I'd give you a start haha!!

  • Larry Chamberlin
    5 years ago, updated 5 years ago

    Follow diversion (at your risk) (syntuit)

    Embrace A D D
    succumb to rabbit trail lures
    road is going straight

  • Sunshine
    5 years ago, updated 5 years ago

    Low Bridge

    I was carried away
    with a flush of emotions.

    Dark clouds tangled
    the shy sunrays
    as the horizon howled
    with thunder
    and stroke some grey
    with some lightening.

    I wiped my tears
    to save this earth
    from further floods
    and went on...

    It was hard to breathe.

    As I combed my hair
    glitter coated
    the hills beneath.

    Heavy. But I went on
    until my heart roared
    inside my chest.

    I'm clenching to mountains,
    holding on dreams,
    high hopes, a coy smile
    and timid beams.

    I held the world on my shoulders;
    the next bridge was low.

    I stopped.

  • Michael
    5 years ago

    Wow! BEWARE! overhead cables, have sparked some wonderful poetry ;)

    Three brilliant poems in thus far -

    Hellon's 'Men at work' a grouchy tale of frustration, due to 'Men not doing much work'

    Rania's 'Low bridge' a sweet and colourful journey, flowing through with great imagery

    Larry's ' Follow diversion' adding a risky route with his signature style of a syntuit

    Fabulous poems - poets and imagination gets its wheels rolling.. :)

  • Brenda
    5 years ago

    Ooh, ooh....can I have "weak bridge"? Super cool prompts Michael!

  • Poet on the Piano
    5 years ago, updated 5 years ago

    I almost choked on the "Heavy Plant Crossing". That's bloody hilarious.

    Here is my poor (rhyming) attempt at "Slow down for horses"

    The other day while on a winding road
    I had to swerve for a confused looking toad
    Thank goodness I was driving quite slow
    For he was as tiny as my little toe.
    I sped up a little, still in the countryside
    keeping an eye out for turtles in need of a guide
    but much to my surprise, I saw a larger sign
    yet didn't see a horse or hear any kind of whine.

    I glanced at fields and forests, up ahead then left and right
    seeing nothing but lush greenery in the loud sunlight.
    I imagined horses galloping, from kingdoms near and far,
    challenging me to gun it as they made sounds like a race car.

    I got my speed to eighty as they neighed and mocked my path,
    spraying spit at me and clouding the window in a mud bath.
    Then they suddenly grew wings and flew above and beyond
    like someone had given them magic at the wave of a wand.
    They chuckled as they clicked their tongues and I realized my mistake,
    in my near delusion, I had put on my parking brake.

  • Michael
    5 years ago

    Another great poem in by MaryAnne

    'Slow down for horses' MA's tale of being outwitted by horses, while on her travels

    Well done everyone so far with such great pieces

    Few left out on the open road poets, come take the wheel! ;)

  • CJ Maleney
    5 years ago, updated 5 years ago

    Dude, I've sketch shows in my mind about such things I've thought about em for ages lol.

    But then I do have a weird mind. It would appear some others do too lol

  • CJ Maleney
    5 years ago, updated 5 years ago

    Caution concealed entrance.

    Oh that sign makes me smile in these middle aged days.
    It makes me think in so many ways.

    It makes me think of driving my bike.
    It makes me think about being side swiped.

    Yet it makes me think more of being a virgin
    And thinking fu@in hell "it won't go in"

    Well someone had to lower the tone!

    Sorry "ish"

    Only now I realise why we have bellie buttons lol

  • CJ Maleney replied to Michael
    5 years ago

    Brilliant smiles at this

  • CJ Maleney replied to Hellon
    5 years ago

    Echoing the thoughts of every motorist in England lol

    X

  • CJ Maleney
    5 years ago, updated 5 years ago

    BLIND SUMMIT

    Oh that mountain I did climb
    When I reached the top what did I find
    A bunch of men without any eyes
    Chewing on flesh of those who climbed

    One wrinkles his nose and picks up my scent
    "Oh" he says "we have a treat"
    "Let's get him boys"
    "We have fresh meat"

    As one they turn
    and face my way
    Those hollow sockets
    Like murky graves

    I run at speed to find my rope
    A quick descent my only hope
    I launch into the air and start to drop
    Praying the grapple catches rock

    The rope cracks taught
    As hooks take a hold
    Then I quickly abseil
    To the floor below

    I drive a sign into the ground
    So other souls don't plummet
    Be aware climbers one and all
    Blind summit

  • CJ Maleney
    5 years ago

    Someone please do "humps for 150 yards"

    Before my inner pervert takes over lol!

  • CJ Maleney replied to Michael
    5 years ago

    Cleverly brilliant

  • Brenda
    5 years ago

    Weak Bridges

    We all learned
    to build bridges
    as kids-
    -
    Sturdy structures
    constructed from Legos
    and Lincoln Logs-
    capable structures
    with the ability to drive
    our Hot Wheels
    and Tonka Trucks over with ease-
    -
    You would think
    after years
    of honing these skills
    we would be expert builders
    in constructing a bridge-
    -
    But no...
    -
    Relationships have proven elusive-
    piece by piece
    stacked onto another
    love, trust, open communication
    sometimes built on
    shaky grounds
    creates disastrous results
    of total collapse-
    -
    Often times these weak bridges
    won't be rebuilt-
    broken hearts don't mend-
    least not strong enough
    to be driven over
    time after time-

    -

    We can only hope-
    hope that we trust another enough
    to build that bridge
    you know the one....
    sturdy, solid
    like the ones we did as kids-
    One that will never need a
    "Weak Bridge Ahead" sign...

  • Em (marmite) replied to CJ Maleney
    5 years ago

    Craig I guess you've volunteered yourself haha

  • Em (marmite) replied to Michael
    5 years ago

    Can we do any title already used or not?

  • Michael replied to CJ Maleney
    5 years ago

    Haha Craig..

    That must of been a funny turn into a concealed entrance, excuse the pun! ;)

  • Michael
    5 years ago

    Another two great poems in:

    Craig 'Blind Summit' - escaping down a rock face, warning others how treacherous was his journey.

    Also Craigs humorous tale of a 'concealed entrance' a case of the wrong entrance.

    Brenda 'weak bridge - a tale of how 'bridges' have become humanity's weakness, unable to build strong bonds between us.

  • Michael replied to Em (marmite)
    5 years ago

    Yes Em,
    Up to you or come up with your own if you prefer :)

  • Hellon
    5 years ago

    Me eyes were all too sandy
    I'd been driving all night long
    when I seen the sign before me
    saying 'Humps 150ft along.

    Me eyes perked up I'll tell you
    but that was not quite all
    I'm sure you know just what I mean
    for I'd been gone on a 5 day haul!

    I saw the neon light up front
    my god I was nearly there
    but when I got closer F**k
    my eyes could only stare.

    It didn't say 'humps 150 yards
    it did not say that oh neah
    my sandy eyes misread read the sign
    it said..ROAD WORKS EXPECT DELAYS:.

  • CJ Maleney replied to Hellon
    5 years ago

    Brilliant lol

    Craig x

  • Michael
    5 years ago

    Hi all :)

    Firstly thank you all for taking part in the 'road sign' poetry thread.

    You all have written some unique, humorous and deep poems which I must ay are brilliant.

    Anyway, all I can say is that you are all winners.. so full marks to each and all

    Hope everyone is happy with this judges decision ;)

    Thanks again and much love, M :)X

  • Sunshine replied to Michael
    5 years ago

    SO sweet Michael, thank you for the prompt, out of the box, I enjoyed it a lot and loved the outcome.

  • Brenda
    5 years ago

    Aww thank you Michael! Such a fun prompt.

  • Larry Chamberlin
    5 years ago

    Great concept Michael, thanks for the inspiration.

  • Poet on the Piano
    5 years ago

    Thanks for the laughter and fun!

  • CJ Maleney
    5 years ago

    Really enjoyed this

    Thanks for sorting it