Nominated

too late for Larry's contest, good luck in the weekly.

The last stanza is very powerful especially the line 'my lips taste like death'

powerful imagery throughout and real sadness filtering through.

Just......................................................................................................................................breathtaking Noura!!!

I liked your poem. Each line has a story to tell, except this one "And I suck at formed poetry".
I disagree because it's one of best poem I ever read.
Such poems make a direct connection with the reader's heart and it starts to feel the same.
As it is a sad poem, so it brought tears to my eyes. And I am quite sure whosoever read it will feel the same.

I am very sad this poem did not make the deadline for the site contest. This is one of your most powerful works ever. Unfortunately, it did not come in until the rest were posted.

This image:
"Words sometimes walk out of my ribs,
the way tulips grow through barbed wires in our city"
shows that despite your block, creativity finds a way.

"I'm not a poet.
I am a war, a darkness,
a soldier counting how much
his funeral will cost before he goes
back to the battlefield"

My poor words fail to match your own.

How I wander one could speak of beauty in the ugly world with ugly words, with the very ugly word, with the very word of ugly.
By beautifully pointing out ugliness
By flaunting beauty
in pointing out ugliness
by inhaling ugliness
and exhaling
beauty!!

:)

Holy crap, this is just... Can't find the words!

I burst into tears reading this poem. This has everything a poem is supposed to be about.. but the images are so intense and heartbreaking, and the words are just.. wow.

Noura, you always impress me. I have no words for this poem.

<3

I hope one day you grasp just how breathtakingly wonderful your writing is.

you are wise beyond your years..

This poem is a very unique poem which is going to stay in the readers mind after they have finished reading, which does not happen very often for me. I agree with Britt, it holds so much that I find poetry can lack, it is emotion driven but through such amazing imagery, you really grab the reader into your words.

Shame you missed to the contest, but congrats on your win.

xx

This touched me deeper than any formed poetry I've ever read, though I enjoy the challenge of formed poetry much of it is over rated

This is priceless

This would be a great spoken word poem read aloud. Your phrasing and diction is amazing. I really enjoyed this. Thank you.

Not to detract from your own voice, but this is very reminiscent of Sylvia Plath, although ripe with tones of your home. This is a gripping poem. 5/5.

Gosh, guys! I don't know how to reply to your nice words. They fill me with joy. Thank you!

Judges comments

Those first four lines!! What a hook, scene setting and tone setting at its finest. This is a master class in sad poetry, stanza 2 has such dark and deep imagery it is frightening. This whole piece has a feel of a release but one that has vented beautiful lyrically perfect music. I love the repetition of I and I'll it's almost finger pointing narrative. Overall this is one of those poems that crop up from time to time that is hastily added to a lot of readers favourites. Well done 10 points.

Judging comment:

I agree with whoever said that there is such beauty in your words, beauty in a way that is hard to describe, but maybe because of the honesty, of the doubts, of that anger perhaps or feelings of not being able to be certain images of light or hope at the time. That shows one is human. That we are not always ready with our actions and how we communicate. That what we are is not always pretty. This is a moving piece, especially in the self-revelation that is personal and heartbreaking to read as an outsider. I feel that so much has shattered you, war, the fleeting promises of peace or happiness perhaps. The metaphors in this are simply worded yet complex on their own because there is a great deal of pain and struggle you are facing, yet putting that into words may be impossible, and all you may be able to do now is do what you know in the moment. A powerful piece, your verses cannot be broken down for each line touches my heart and has a poignant voice. (10)

Noura, where do I begin? I was left with my head spinning with this poem. I have read this numerous times and still I am speechless! Well written poem by you this week. It's brilliant!
Raw emotions mixed with darkness and tragedy are etched in every line, mixed with outstanding word usage.. I just can't get enough of this poem and I apologize for such a small comment, but all I can say is -------------------- WOW!