The One In Ten
by Edgar Albert Guest

Nine passed him by with a hasty look,
Each bent on his eager way;
One glance at him was the most they took,
'Somebody stuck,' said they;
But it never occurred to the nine to heed
A stranger's plight and a stranger's need.
The tenth man looked at the stranded car,
And he promptly stopped his own.
'Let's see if I know what your troubles are,'
Said he in a cheerful tone;
'Just stuck in the mire. Here's a cable stout,
Hitch onto my bus and I'll pull you out.'
'A thousand thanks,' said the stranger then,
'For the debt that I owe you;
I've counted them all and you're one in ten
Such a kindly deed to do.'
And the tenth man smiled and he answered then,
'Make sure that you'll be the one in ten.'
Are you one of the nine who pass men by
In this hasty life we live?
Do you refuse with a downcast eye
The help which you could give?
Or are you the one in ten whose creed
Is always to stop for the man in need?

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Random Poetry Prompt – Write a poem about a time you helped someone, or someone helped you.

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FEBRUARY CONTEST –

This is the last week for our February.  Our theme for the month of February is Humans Loving Humans.  If you are new to the Pub and missed our first prompt, please feel free to jump in and send us a submission for both of the February prompts.

Our first prompt is to write a love poem to all the people of the world.  Our second prompt is to write a Kenning poem describing the word LOVE.  See our contest book for full details.

FOUNDER'S CHALLENGE –

We also only have one week left for our Founder's Challenge. It is a beautifully simple challenge and it is open to all members.  We encourage everyone to jump in and participate.  If you haven't read any of the entries yet, head on over and check them out, they will fill your day with BEAUTY!!

MARCH CONTEST –

Our March 2020 contest will be open for submission one week from today, on March first.  The March contest is going to have a free-flowing musical flair!  I hope all of you will join in!!!

POEM-A-WEEK –

To participate challenge, all you need to do is create a book on your own profile or use one of your existing books, then let us know what book it is and start writing.  You can also send in your poems to include in our collection here.  Please PM us if you take on the challenge so we can add your name to the participants list and send you a link for the participant sticker.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Featured Poem-of-the-Week! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Pschye's Lover
by -Nynaeve

Pschye' lover,
God of Desire;

Winged child-god,
Shooter of love darts;

Venus's son
Provoker of passion.

2020 Poem-a-Week Participants

Poems & Writings inspired by Webster's Dictionary by aMusedAndPoetic

Sillage by -Nynaeve

Weekly Whimsy by Anneshiningstar

Poem A Week - 2020 by most_bay

Concours by Schwethz

The Quantum Journal by MichaelTyger

Poetry Beans by undoubtedlymine

Pieces of Me by ShaunAllan

Pastel Paean by ImperfectPsychotic04

Nature Poems by Lexigreats

Narrow Feelings by SoulFarAway

Beautifully Mysterious by MysteriousDyrad

Genteel Reveries of an Outrié Poetess by MystresMyna

Rhyming Feelings by EmLover123

Please stop by and check out their books, show them some Poets Pub love!

IF I MISSED ANYONE PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND I WILL ADD YOUR NAME TO THE LIST!

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Poem-a-Week Prompt

Week Eight Prompt – Write a poem using at least 3 of the following old Norse kennings.  The poem can be any form, that just includes the kennings.

sun-table = sky

earth-walker = traveler

head-forest = hair

stout-hearted = brave

sky-candle = the sun

swan-road = the sea

sea-flame = gold

bench-fellow = friend

wind-racers = horse

river-bone = rock

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SOCIAL MEDIA –

POETS PUB -

We encourage everyone to like/follow us, it will help you to stay in the loop.

Poets Pub Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poets_pub/

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STORYTELLERS-SALOON –

Storytellers-saloon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Storytellers-Saloon-1106601872685988/

Storytellers-saloon Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/storytellerssaloon/

storytellers-saloon

HEY, HEY YOU!!!  Come on down to the Storyteller-saloon and join us for this month's challenge!!  You know you want to!!! You only have one week left!!!

If you haven't read any of our Write the Story entries yet, I would highly recommend that you take a moment to check them out!!  Then consider send us your entry as well!! If you know anyone that might be interested in this challenge, please, don't hesitate to pass on the information.

Every month I will be posting a new short story writing prompt along with several words to use in the story.  The stories will completely vary in genres.  Please check out our contest book for full details!

We hope too that you'll join us this month for ... A Suspected Affair.

We have two entries so far:

A Suspected Affair by lyttlejoe
Don't Eat the Mango Chutney by MystresMyna

Come on by and support our participants, read, vote, comment and then consider sending in your own entry!!

Lyttlejoe's Busted Gulch Volume 13:

3Gun spent the morning walking down memory lane and lamenting on how much had changed in Busted Gulch.  Remembering the "wild" days has him itching for a bit of action.  Simon stopped by the café to pick up his order of bread and muffins.  He noticed Myna's twins resting in the basket and decided to play an "evil" game of peek-a-boo, scaring the babies.  Myna came when they cried and although she didn't see what happened she is very suspicious of Simon.  Brandy and Colton got back to Tent City to find Bruce.  They told him his brother, Buck, could be in trouble; Regan's men mistaking Buck for Bruce.  Brandy laid everything out for Bruce, including the fact that they are not really married.  There was a bit of an argument about who owned the Miracle Goats that Slim left for the town.  After some discussion with Mayor Order, he decided that the town owned the goats, that they will be housed at the stables and that Jacob would be their caretaker.  On 3Gun's orders Buck began his investigation of Mr. Land and his goings on.  He didn't seem to find much information but would keep his eye out for anything that might be out of order.  Lamenting over Rue and his night with Mary Sue, Jacob went out to the waterfall for the day.  He ended up in a scuffle with a big horn sheep and ended up having to ride back to town in his birthday suit.  Jacob then preceded to lie to Jujube, telling him that he had gotten beaten up and robbed.  Rue ended up helping him and he had to confess the truth after Rue threated to inform 3Gun about the "robbery".  3Gun took CG to dinner at the café, they had a lovely time and then a romantic moment together at Truman serenaded them. 

If you want to find out what's next, head on over to The Storytellers Saloon and check out Lyttlejoe's Busted Gulch Volume 13!!  Don't forget to add it to your reading list, new chapters are posted daily!

flash-fiction-forum

HELLO ALL!!! HAVE YOU STOPPED BY LATELY? HAVE YOU CHECKED OUT OUR FEBRUARY CONTEST?  The theme for February 2020 is, of course, Love.

We are looking for your little love stories. There is a 300-word limit to tell your story, but you can make as many submissions as you want. And let's see some originality. Love takes many forms and I know there are many stories floating around in those creative minds. So put these stories down and send them in.

We have 9 entries!!! Thank you!!!  Please stop by and show them your support and consider sending in an entry of your own!!

Made To Last – Ruechari
To Love Again – Ruechari
The Visit - lyttlejoe
To Back There – naomimrshl
Perpetual Love - Schwethz
two blue lines SoulFarAway
My Masterpiece - Ruechari
Reverie – lyttlejoe
My Book Lover - Ruechari

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Random Poetry Prompt
Write a love poem that would be used in a Valentine's Day card.

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Some of the most famous uses of the kenning come to us from an ancient book known as the Exeter Book, a 10th century anthology of Anglo-Saxon poetry and poetic riddles, presented to Exeter cathedral by Leofric, first bishop of Exeter (1050-1071).  Many of the riddles of this book contain the spiritual predecessor of what we know today as the kenning.  Here is but one of the poems from the Exeter Book.

This is the original text; it is followed by the translation.   

Ic seah wrætlice     wuhte feower
samed siþian     swearte · wæran lastas
swaþu swiþe blacu     swift wæs on fore
fulgum framra     fleotgan lyfte
deaf under yþe     dreag unstille
winnende wiga     se him wægas tæcneþ
ofer fæted gold     feower eallū

TRANSLATION

I saw four things     in beautiful fashion
journeying together.     Dark were their tracks,
the path very black.     Swift was its moving,
faster than birds     it flew through the air,
dove under the wave.     Labored un-resting
the fighting warrior     who showed them the way,
all of the four,     over plated gold.

The answer to this riddle is – a quill pen.

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Double Mega Poetry Challenge – Write a kenning riddle down in the comments.

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Well folks that is all I have for you this week!! I hope everyone has a safe and productive week. Remember to keep those pens and keyboards flying!!

Cheers from your Mystres of Chatter
MystresMyna