Paul's Explicate My Poem Unofficial Challenge

So, it's been a few months since John and I ran an unofficial challenge. This time out I am doing one myself and don't worry, it's for some dumb soap opera reasons. John and I haven't fallen out because his best friend is my best friend's mother's girlfriend.

I'm flying solo to give John a chance to take part.

I take inspiration for this challenge from Raymond's One Work Art Connections Challenge, Harper's Explicate Challenge and the fact that some of my own original art has been creeping into my work.

It all started with Leslie's What Am I Unofficial Challenge, in which I entered a piece with my own attempts and another standalone piece that featured one of my own drawings as its main image.

I don't consider myself an artist of that kind. Words are my medium. However, taking part in those challenges, along with my own rough dabblings with drawing and my views on what art can be, has taught me that I don't really care whether I can draw "properly" or not. Will I try and improve now I have caught the bug? Maybe. But even if I don't, if and when appropriate and inspiration strikes, I will do some art.

The Challenge

Anyway, back to the challenge.

So it all revolves around my recent piece entitled Ledger.

One of the lines reads:

"Explicate this then, if you can."

When I was initially writing this, which was done fast with not a lot of forethought, I wrote that line because I remembered Harper's Explicate Challenge. I also find the idea of interpreting and explicating poetry fascinating because there is so much room for different readings depending on the individual and the experiences they bring to the work. Generally speaking, I usually have a thought or broader meaning I'm working through when I write poetry. It's always satisfying when people pick up on the smallest details, but I also love when someone discovers something I hadn't consciously considered. I believe we often write about one thing while other ideas seep through, sometimes subconsciously and sometimes deliberately.

Even greats like Faulkner have said that meanings and symbolism readers found in their work were not part of the author's original mindset.

So this challenge is going to take the line in my poem very literally and form the prompt.

Explicate it.

The reason I've picked my own poem is twofold. I'm arrogant and I feel like this is a fun way to very deliberately put my own words under the microscope. There is also a connection to the prizes that will be revealed in due time.

Rules of engagement

I am going to give people the opportunity to write two entries each. You don't need to. But I am feeling generous.

1. There is no maximum or minimum word count. I don't want to impose too many restrictions on this. You can write something highly detailed or something much simpler. Include references if you like and present it as neatly as Sasha and others did for Harper's challenge—or don't. Tell me what you think my poem is about and, if possible, show me how you arrived there. I am not an academic, but also not an idiot. So do it the way you feel most confident.

2. There are no predetermined right answers. Well... there probably are some wrong ones. If you interpret the poem as an allegory for the Russian and American space race or as a nihilistic dissection of capitalism, you're probably barking up the wrong tree.

3. My choice will be based on your explication as a whole. The interpretation that resonates most with me, whether it matches my own thoughts on the poem or not, is what is most likely to win.

4. Please include the title of the challenge in your subtitle: "Paul's Explicate My Poem Unofficial Challenge"

5. Please share a link to this challenge somewhere in your piece, either at the top or the bottom. Spread the word, thank you! https://vocal.media/writers/pauls-explicate-my-poem-unofficial-challenge

6. Publish your piece in the Writers community please.

7. When you have published your explication, post a link in the comments section below.

8. I shouldn't really need to say this but please no AI use. Unless you want instant disqualification and don't like unique art by a tortured and uneducated Scottish-Italian.

9. Entries must be in by the end of August 16th.

I will add entries to the bottom of this piece as and when they are submitted so you can read them.

Prizes

I will be choosing the winners of this challenge on my own. It's a very Paul-centric challenge, so if you don't like me or find my Scottish-Italian "charms" grating and not greating, you might want to sit this one out.

If you do play, you stand the chance to win something truly special. Well, special might be the wrong word. Unique? Different? One of a kind. Very literally.

I figured with my newfound love of creating "art," and because things are a bit tight financially (also read: Paul's as tight as a priest's pockets), I am going to give you the chance to own your very own Paul Stewart artwork.

• First Prize – A unique, one-of-a-kind Paul Stewart artwork (A4)

• Second Prize – A unique, one-of-a-kind Paul Stewart artwork (A5)

• Two Runners-up – A unique, one-of-a-kind Paul Stewart artwork (A6)

Each artwork will be original, one-of-a-kind and entirely of my choosing. I make no promises as to the subject matter, the quality, or whether your loved ones will quietly ask if your child drew it.

The number of runners-up may change depending on the number of entries received.

Now, go and read Ledger.

Then, as the poem itself requests...

Explicate it.

I can't wait to see what you come up with.

The Entries! So far... 2 Top Stories!

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Thanks for reading!