Great poem. I especially like the use of a rhyme pattern. So much of what we see these days is free form without any pattern. I think the pattern makes it even harder to convey your meaning, or the picture. I can easily see the commoner in his garden. I have a small one, and like to get my hands dirty and eat the bounty, too!
I've written the following piece published at my account ( https://anabkhan.substack.com/ ). I really wanted to take part in but missed the opportunity so decided to publish here. I really would like not to miss the next competition.
A Social taboo
Evading the constant gaze of the panel of fifteen-seasoned gentlemen who surrounded him as if he were seated at a round table, the adult-teen stared at his lap persistently for half-an-hour during the jury’s proceeding.
The jury was led by the village Imam with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an. After a Pashtun-cum-Islamic speech, the Imam prompted some statements. The boy repeated them, keeping his right hand on the Holy Qur’an and his left hand on his heart. ‘I swear upon the holy Qur’an that I am innocent, and I have no relationship, of any kind, with Sara,’ he declared, his voice wavering under the intensity of the panel's scrutiny.
After the final address by the Imam, the elders embraced each other. At the same time, the boy’s father exchanged a peace-hug with the girl’s father and handed him a pouch filled with five-thousand-rupee notes. And the jury suspended.
Great poem. I especially like the use of a rhyme pattern. So much of what we see these days is free form without any pattern. I think the pattern makes it even harder to convey your meaning, or the picture. I can easily see the commoner in his garden. I have a small one, and like to get my hands dirty and eat the bounty, too!
I've written the following piece published at my account ( https://anabkhan.substack.com/ ). I really wanted to take part in but missed the opportunity so decided to publish here. I really would like not to miss the next competition.
A Social taboo
Evading the constant gaze of the panel of fifteen-seasoned gentlemen who surrounded him as if he were seated at a round table, the adult-teen stared at his lap persistently for half-an-hour during the jury’s proceeding.
The jury was led by the village Imam with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an. After a Pashtun-cum-Islamic speech, the Imam prompted some statements. The boy repeated them, keeping his right hand on the Holy Qur’an and his left hand on his heart. ‘I swear upon the holy Qur’an that I am innocent, and I have no relationship, of any kind, with Sara,’ he declared, his voice wavering under the intensity of the panel's scrutiny.
After the final address by the Imam, the elders embraced each other. At the same time, the boy’s father exchanged a peace-hug with the girl’s father and handed him a pouch filled with five-thousand-rupee notes. And the jury suspended.
How can I know the date of such competition?
I personally love prose more. So, I'd vote for the 'The Beef Eater'.