Wordsworth

The challenge was to compose a fourline poem ending with I’m beginning to doubt it, from Hilaire Belloc’s Is There Any Reward?

From Warren Palmer of Dunedin:

Is the election too close to call?/ Plenty of people have felt it./ Does the winner matter at all?/ I’m beginning to doubt it. Auckland’s Barbara Harwood: The growth of technology’s crazy./ We are told we cannot live without it./ But it’s making us fat and lazy,/ So now I’m beginning to doubt it.

Poppy Sinclair of Karori: He flies through the sky in a sleigh,/ Dropping presents off on his way,/ All night and all Christmas Day./ I’m beginning to doubt it. Joan Johnston of Paraparaumu: Dark chocolate’s good,/ I have read all about it,/ When you’re trying to lose weight./ I’m beginning to doubt it.

Mangawhai’s Maureen Skinner: MasterChef Australia has cooked its own goose/ Overused and new ingredients played fast and loose./ Enough already! We need to rest without it./ Will this series end? I’m beginning to doubt it.

Anne Willman of Waiheke Island: Democracy! Let us rejoice!/ Society can’t do without it./ But Brexit and Trump were democracy’s choice./ I think I’m beginning to doubt it.

John Edgar of Christchurch is this week’s winner: Diana loved Charles,/ No question about it./ Did Charles love Diana?/ I’m beginning to doubt it.

For the next contest, create an alternative ending for the first two lines of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody: Is this the real life?/Is this just fantasy? Entries, for the prize below, close at noon, Thursday, August 24.

Submissions: wordsworth@listener.co.nz or Wordsworth, NZ Listener, Private Bag 92512, Wellesley St, Auckland 1141. Please include your address.