Happiness and Light Unofficial Challenge

INTERJECTION INTERRUPTION UPDATE - Added all the entries we've received so far, and just wanted to bump this up to remind people it's still open. You still have time to enter a piece for either or both parts of the challenge - we have only received pieces for the first part of the challenge so far. - Paul Stewart, a writer. One half of the temporary twosome of John and Paul, but not Ringo and George.

Our hosts for this challenge are Paul - the iconoclast, Paul Stewart for the uninitiated, and John - the Willy Shakespeare-wannabe John Cox. We have employed a certain amount of ribbing and goading of one another almost from the beginning of our Vocal correspondence. But enough about us.

Really good ideas don't speak softly in our experience, they leap out of the dark and clobber us with a bat, since sometimes that's the only way we might take notice once our hearts stop racing.

And the idea - The Idea - has stared us in the face from almost the beginning. Paul has suggested a few times now that the two of us write something joyous and uplifting. You know, the sort of story or poetry that might make the world a better place for all of us.

For those of you who don't get the gag, we think the idea that two purveyors of darkness, cynicism, and woe might attempt to write something uplifting and sufficiently saccharine to sicken the average cynic or to send a lifelong Visigoth racing for the vomitorium is hilarious to the extreme.

(I, Paul, have found that the bottom half of the Vocal screen, wherein lie the comments, is where a lot of great ideas are born.)

Although Paul finally dipped his toes in happy, hopeful poetic territory with a stellar example of greeting card fluff with his groundbreaking poem The Heart's Pilgrimage in the Realm of Light, (Anyone that knows me well enough or paid attention will know that I, Paul Stewart, am not one to back down from the most ridiculous of challenges). John is still staring forlornly at the frothy poetic waters and complaining he can't swim. Dear readers and writers, this is why we need your help.

But before we lay out the challenge rules and outrageous expectations, let's outline what we are looking for and what we are not.

1. The work should be grounded in a philosophy of fervent optimism, the glass is half full is a fail, the glass is always and ever full to overflowing. We're thinking here of the philosophy of Gottfried Leibniz - the world that we live in is the best possible one created by a benevolent God.
2. We're not talking about a Candide-like satire, so we're definitely not looking for the cynical poets and storytellers to write tongue firmly in cheek. If you want to see what that looks like, check out Paul's examination of a world filled with relentless sunshine - https://vocal.media/poets/the-heart-s-pilgrimage-in-the-realm-of-light
3. WE want the real thing or at least a reasonable facsimile. The Disney version, except that Bambi's mother doesn't die, Snow White doesn't eat the poisoned apple, and Pinocchio doesn't grow donkey ears and a tail or get swallowed by a perpetually angry whale. If you're wondering if this might be a good fit for you, answer the following question as honestly as possible: When you wake in the morning, do you curse the day you were born and throw your alarm clock at the wall or leap out of bed with your mouth creased into a permanent grin? If the latter, you're exactly who we are looking for. If the former, you can skip to the challenge rules. We have something special for you, too.
4. Any genre is fine as long as it brings a glow of joy and tears of happiness to the eyes, even horror, as long as it's not scary. Poetry is uniquely suited for this challenge, for example Trees by Joyce Kilmer - "I think that I shall never see A poem lovely as a tree", or If you are hopeful and positive, "Things will turn right/ Everything would then appear to be bright, So stay positive, my friend!" by Orison Swett Marden. And yes, the damn thing ends without a rhyme but with an exclamation point. Give us strength!

The challenge rules:

1. The happiest and most sincere poem or story wins. Think Linus in his pumpkin patch waiting faithfully for the Great Pumpkin to arrive.

• a. The judges will award three prizes - 1st prize $20, 2nd prize $10, and 3rd prize $5. This is to compensate you for the risk that your cherished efforts will be savaged by the writers who participate in commentary under the guidelines in rule #3.
• b. You can post your story/poem in any community. Posting in Filthy may be unwise, but who knows? One of you might surprise us.
• c. In order to award all three prizes, we need at least three entrants

3. For all you cynics, smartasses and wags, you will attempt to write hilarious commentary on one or more of the entrant's offerings.

• a. You will post your commentary on Vocal under the Critique community and provide a link to the piece. You will not provide said commentary on the piece itself. Give the poem or story a like, tell the writer good luck, and move out smartly.
• b. The funniest commentary will win. The judges will award three prizes - 1st prize $20, 2nd prize $10 and 3rd prize $5.
• c. In order to award all three prizes, we again need at least three entrants.

4. The challenge will close on November 30th, so don't be late!

All entrants will post a link to the unofficial challenge at the end of their entry and provide a link to their poem/story/commentary in the comment section below. Questions? No? Then get to it, campers. We can't wait to see what joy and jocularity thou shalt create!

The Entries

The Prickly Plant - Katherine D. Graham

I Have Been Accused - Shirley Belk

She Weaves My Rainbows - Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred

Blink - L.C. Schäfer

Shear Delight - Kelli Sheckler-Amsden

Why I High-Fived a Squirrel This Morning - Tim Carmichael

Spring Into Fun - Andred C McDonald

A Peace In My Head - Tanya Lei

The First Day - Harper Lewis

The Tangerine Sprite and The Wander Book - ShardsofOrbs

Coffee Leaves and Wagging Tails - Matthew Fromm

Big Deal - Angie the Archivist 📚🪶

Glimmers of Optimism - Andrea Corwin

Seeking Sensational Moments - K.B. Silver

2:22 AM - Amanda Starks

What Does a Smile Really Mean? - Mark Graham

Whispers in the Wind - Cristal S.

A Spark Within - Heather Hubler

Scrooge has entered the building! - Lamar Wiggins

Not Buying It - Harper Lewis