I wrote my poem My Oscar Nomination in response to this week’s W3 Poetry Prompt#151. Jaideep Kanduja is the Poet of the Week. His prompt is to write The Almost Poem. Here are the rules.
The Almost Poem prompt rules and guidelines
Prompt Title
“The Almost Poem”
The Challenge
Write a poem that feels like it’s almost something—but not quite. A love poem that sidesteps romance. A haiku that’s one syllable off. A sonnet that forgets itself halfway through. A metaphor that teeters on the edge of making sense.
Rules
- Embrace the near miss. Let the poem be beautifully incomplete, deliberately offbeat, or playfully imperfect.
- You can choose any form, but it must almost follow the rules. A villanelle with one missing refrain? A limerick that forgets to rhyme? A free-verse piece that wants to be a haiku? Go wild.
- Bonus challenge: Use the phrase “but then—” somewhere in your poem.
Why?
Because sometimes, what’s left unsaid is what lingers the longest.
My Oscar Nomination
The night glitters with gold,
Every seat in the house is sold,
Diamonds shine around every neck,
(Heck, can this be real?—or is it a film set?)
Silks and satins susurrate along the red carpet,
Handsome men watch me glide~
through the throng,
A famous opera singer sings a song.
My earlobes droop with heavy jewels—
and diamonds slink and slide around my throat.
Tom Cruise watches me,
He takes my coat,
My heart beats fast, (my cholesterol is high)
Daniel Craig blows me a kiss, as I pass by.
All my life I’ve worked and dreamed of this
but now it has all come true—
They say the Oscar’s mine,
For my part in Gladiator (part two).
I smile and blush, and nod demurely,
Is this for real?
It is quite surely.
The theatre gleams with celebs and lights,
This is the night
The night of nights.
All eyes are upon me—
My gown rustles
as I step softly
down the aisle,
I acknowledge their glances
with my smile,
There is
Loud applause as I take my seat.
“And the winner is…”
I stand again,
But then…
Lesley Scoble, March 2025
Post Script
Since I wrote this poem almost ten months ago, it’s become surprisingly popular—so I’ve now set it to music. I hope you enjoy it.
Music Audio – My Oscar Nomination 🎶
Let me know if you like my poem or song by tapping the clapometer (I adore applause!)—leave a comment—or give me an Oscar!
To find out more about the W3 Prompt, please click below.
THANKS
My thanks to David Bogomolny, for hosting—and for his constant enthusiasm and encouragement. My thanks to Jaideep Khanduja for his inspired prompt.
Lesley lives in the City of London Square Mile. An artist, actor and sculptor (her first ceramic sculpture won the V&A inspired by… Award). Scenic artist & book illustrator, playwright (her musical play, Rapscallion performed in inner city schools and theatre school); TV dancer; mime artist; Animator and illustrator for TV production. Set up Pinecone Studios Ltd and IIMSI Ltd drama and filmmaking workshops in London – producing award-winning films made by children.
LesleyScoble.com 
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