Running on Empty Contest Entries

ROE 2: Poem #3 - Last Known Whereabouts

FORM: Ballade (in Anapestic Tetrameter)


LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS

Do you know this happy couple, last seen right here,
They’ve been missing since the Saturday before last.
On vacation in Bora Bora somewhere near
Tropical shores with sunset waters like stained glass.
Taking a long holiday from the working class,
It was their first trip here to the South Pacific.
Everyone, everywhere, we’ve asked and asked and asked
And fear a tragic misfortune most horrific.

Their danger could easily be quite, quite severe,
In which case it’s only fitting to say alas,
For they were so very young and so cavalier.
Leaving home despite being at a hearty impasse
With parents who couldn’t help but always lambast
Their dream of visiting a place this specific.
Now we’re hopelessly and heartbreakingly aghast
And fear a tragic misfortune most horrific.

Please, please help us; don’t be fooled by the thin veneer
Of stoicism we’re trying vainly to amass.
We drove them both away by being so austere
And now fear the time for amends has long passed
If only there were some way out of this morass,
Our hopes and prayers are really quite prolific.
We need to tell them our stubbornness was miscast,
And fear a tragic misfortune most horrific.

Anyone who sees these letters we’ve sent en masse,
Any news you have would be simply terrific
We’re out of options but trying to be steadfast
And fear a tragic misfortune most horrific.