POETRY in-FORM-ation: Amphigory June 24, 2010 - July 5, 2010

Reading and Deliberating

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POETRY in-FORM-ation -- hosted by Raivenne

POETRY in-FORM-ation is a weekly poem challenge to see how far you can stretch your creativity within the confines of a form poem. I didn't want this to be a "course" as everyone writing here will be self-taught and we want to enjoy the results of what you've learned. Some forms will be really easy and others -- um not quite so... Hey this is a CHALLENGE after all. :D

NOTE: Ignore the "Prize". I have to fill that out as it is a requirement of this template, but there are no prizes given. This weekly contest is strictly for the love and challenge of expanding our knowledge of different poetic forms.

Please pay attention to the details of the given form. The point of this challenge is to learn (and to use) the poetic forms given each week. Please do not submit a poem that does not follow the challenge of this week. Any entry not adhering to the given form will be asked to be removed.

THIS WEEK'S FORM: Amphigory

An Amphigory is a poem that seems to make sense, but actually does not. Lewis Carroll’s poem “Jabberwocky” has long been categorized as a shining example of nonsense verse. Carroll employs what is called amphigory, which is, in essence, nonsense verse that appears to have meaning but in fact has none. This classification, however, should not be taken at face value to mean that the poem hasn’t any meaning. In fact, “Jabberwocky” is rife with meaning (and meanings, because of Carroll’s introduction of new words). It conveys not only a tale but also offers a commentary of sorts.

The most classic example of Amphigory is of course Lewis Carroll's "Jabberwocky" which can easily be googled.

My Example of an Amphigory poem can be found here:
http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Raivenne/567306/

Please review the above examples for this poetic form. There's a difference between silly, nonsense and something amphigorial.

Have fun!