Underground Writers Network Forum Challenge of the Week - #9

Oxymoronic Titles

Oxymorons are word games people play who like language play; an oxymoron consists of two words next to each other whose meanings seem to contradict each other. This type of wordplay is great to play with the language and take risks with words. When used well, oxymorons can make poetry fantastic. So let�s have some fun!

I am posting here a few options for titles:

Positive-to-Negative Oxymorons
Precious Misery
Thoughtful Darkness
Ecstatic Irony

Negative-to-Positive Oxymorons
Rotten Beauty
Cruel Peace
Foul Wisdom


The challenge is to write a poem (about 150 words) in any style you like that could be named the oxymoron you like best.

Have fun! I look forward to see what amazing creations you come up with. :)

Hello. Hey does that mean we write stuff based on any oxymoron you want?
I don't know if this is considered an oxymoron but a friend of mine came up with it--
military intelligence
alone together

And stuff like that right? And write a poem based on the oxymoron-right?

Quote:


Oxymoron is a Greek term derived from oxy ("sharp") and moros ("dull"). The meaning is "that which is sharp and dull," therefore designating as well as exhibiting an opposition between two adjectives which serve as predicates for one subject.

Oxymorons are a proper subset of the expressions called contradictions in terms. What distinguishes oxymora from other paradoxes and contradictions is that they are used intentionally, for rhetorical effect, and the contradiction is only apparent, as the combination of terms provides a novel expression of some concept, such as "cruel to be kind".

The most common form of oxymoron involves an adjective�noun combination. For example, the following line from Tennyson's Idylls of the King contains two oxymora:

"And faith unfaithful kept him falsely true"
Oxymorons can also be wooden irons or sideroxylons in that they are in violation of the Principle of contradiction which asserts that nothing can be thought if it contains contradictory characteristics, predicates, attributes, or qualities.

The idea is to choose one of the six that were posted and create a poem using that one you chose as a title. You are welcome to suggest some more oxymorons that people may choose from. Though even if you think it's an oxymoron, there is something actually called "military intelligence" and regardless of the irony since it's a established department, should not be counted.

Quote:



Ugh.... It would have to be poetry, wouldn't it ;)

Rotten Beauty
The Last Ronin
11.22.06
-----------------------
I plucked and orange from a tree
of a most beautiful shade
It was round and hard and ripe
as I sliced it with a blade

I recoiled in digust
as I brought it to my mouth
It was rotten though and through
and worms writhed about

The orange fell quickly from my hand and
lay shattered near my boot
And i thought of how alike we are
some people and this fruit

I know of a young lady
who is flawless to the sight
Her skin is smooth, her hair is soft
her eyes are deep and bright

Her tongue is vile and vicious though
and her lips spread ruthless lies
to make herself look better, i guess
if only in her eyes

So she may be grand to behold
but it seems a waste to me
when your beautiful on the outside
but rotten underneath

okay, so we are just choosing from the titles you posted? or an we come up with our own? I have one I'd like to try, but it is not on the list.

Hateful Love

should I go ahead with this one? or try and pick out of the ones you listed?

Quote:


go ahead ;)

Darkness. As a child I feared
Its long-reaching arms.
Its ability to hold me
Trapped in time and space.

Aging with years and ego blows,
An equal fear grew within
Of the midday glare
With its jovial sounds
Stinging the air.
So I gathered in the dusk
With the evening shadows
And rose again with the dawn.

I evolved (as beings are wont to do).
Embracing the forgiving Dark.
The shroud kindly blinding
My mind�s eye from seeing
Disparagements manufactured or real.
Sweet Darkness lacking judgment
Its harsher counterpart callously
Lays down with pointed finger.

True �darkness� nestles
Deep in your core,
Gnawing your innards,
Evoking visceral pain.
Man dishes it with relish
Labeling the source with
A name corresponding to
That which he fears. The Dark.

Why confuse that creature
With the comforting blanket.
The almighty isolator.
Thoughtful Darkness.

So "alone together" would work? Wouldn't it?

Quote:


Surely would :)

I walk into the room.
The dark room.
There in the room was only a hint of your eyes.
Beautiful eyes.

I used them for guidance to the bed.
The huge waterbed.
As I sat down I felt your hand.
Your hand touch my skin, giving me shivers.

I kissed your lips once I found them.
There was where I found hope and peace.
There was where the world went away.
There I found the happiness I always wanted.

Our hands were like stitches.
Crossed over one another to stay together.
Healing a hole in the heart.
Sealing a wound that was once made by old relationships.

We lost our clothes and our legs entwined.
Our heat kept each other warm in the brisk moonlit night.
Our love was what kept us going.
Our trust was what kept us here together.

The house was empty.
It seemed full.
There were only us.
There were the moonlight beams and the shadows watching silently on the walls.

But most importantly there were us.
Me and you.
In the moonlight.
With our legs entwined in the bed.

Our kisses that could melt the polar icecaps.
The love of us that could make the Earth stop.
Just us.
Alone together.

I didn't know how else to submit it. So here is the link.

Sorry if I caused any inconvience.

Cade

I think all the writers did a fine job on their poems this week! Great work!

I agree, there are some great pieces here! You guys did a wonderful job.

I will post the chosen piece as for the few votes I got ;)