VALEDICO'S POETRY CONTEST: FINAL RESULTS

First of all, it's been really fun hosting this contest! I'm thankful for everyone who participated. I know there's been a some delays and the like but it finished when I wanted it to! Just in time for Nana to start hers! So in this thread I will reveal the poets, the judges and the winners of the final round.

It's funny because the two finalists worked together in the collaboration round, in which they scored rather high. Both poems captured the chosen quote with their idiosyncratic voice and tone. For me,as a reader and it seems from reading the judge's comments, the second poem possessed the strongest voice. Which means the winner is....

*drumroll*

*more drumrolling*

SIBYLLENE!

After scoring near and towards the top on every round, she is a worthy and deserving winner. Congratulations too, to LUANNE who was runner up and is deserving of a round of applause for her continual efforts. Comments and ratings from the judges are below!

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Self Portrait (35 pts)
10 + 10 + 5 + 10

My verdict was that: Self-portrait had a semi-confessional vibe which I was keen on. The persona was interesting, and the language the poet chose to use was both interesting and contemporary. Wasn't keen on the last two lines but everything preceding it was right on the money. (I will reserve details for when the poem is posted) [10]

-I think I will give 10 for this piece, because who ever you are, who wrote this poem, YOU absolutely deserve to win this contest. Although the other poet was able to amaze me, but the imagination in this piece is very unique, very outstanding, and extremely original. I have read in this piece, some of the most poetic, and the most coherent expressions.
If I had to critic something, it would no bet be the way you arranged the lines, and your punctuation needs polishing. Again I did not really
love the opening line, but you had a strong opening stanza..

However your second stanza, and your last, due to their amazing unique wording, both stood behind my decision. And I must give you credit for the surprising twist, for I almost thought you went out of topic as I first started to read, then I was astonished by the relation that you made
between everything you picked from nature and related it to your own self's beauty. Well done ..

-For me to place this second was really hard, this poem is stunning in its own right and it had the beauty needed when writing a good poem.
However I found the flow wasn't as smooth as "Unchangeable." You had so many great metaphors that were stunning but it seemed as though the flow was forgotten behind them. I also read this poem outloud and when doing so all the words couldn't be grasped together to create an even flow.

I applaud you however for your use of other technique. Effective use of alliteration and imagery. I found the piece was emotive, when I first read it the emotion didn't jump right out at me until I looked deeper, it evoked a different kind of emotion in me then "unchangeable" but none the less the use of emotive language was effective.

This poem was raw in the way that the poet was writing about a subject close to heart. The feministic qualities are interesting and when I read this poem I hadn't expected a poem titled "self-portrait" to be as emotive as it was. The poem held a twist in the way the writer depicts themselves, I felt as though was viewing two sides to this person - both comedy and tragedy.

-When I read this the first two or three times I really was not liking the second stanza one little bit because I felt the word 'like' had been overused here but, after reading it out loud I finally came to the conclusion that they were intended to be there to add a certain drama? I could picture a person standing alone on stage reciting these words and stressing each sentence with the word 'like'. Maybe I'm letting my imagination run overboard but, isn't that what poetry is about. It was a hard call, as both poems were really good and this has come down to a personal preference.

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Unchangeable (25 pts)
5 + 5 + 10 + 5

-Unchangeable was evocative and emotive - the language became unfortunately cliched towards the end, but the former parts of the poem contained some beautiful imagery and well chosen verbs and adjectives. (as I said earlier, I will reserve detailed comments for when the poet posts their poem)

-This is a very strong poem, and although the opening is not the strongest part of this piece, but still it was able to catch me. The smart choice, actually was the quote because the poem is strongly STRONGLY related to every single stanza written in this piece. For more details:

Stanza number one:
As I said the first line was kind of overused
which why I stated that it wasn't your strongest,
however the word choice started to flourish right with the next following lines.

Stanzas number 2 & 3:
I really love what you wrote in both stanzas, it was rather appealing for me as a reader, and writing "Left to ponder -" on a separate line was smart, although I think you should change the punctuation before it, cause it kind of lost me for a second.

'Regrets, like our fingerprints,
are unique and unchangeable.
Perhaps we may have many,
few or perhaps even none.'
^^^
I really love what you as a poet, thought about regarding this stanza, but regarding the whole piece, this was seriously the weakest. Not because it's simple, but because it can be worded in a better way. Especially when compared with the last stanza,
which was fabulous..fabulous..and more than fabulous. It left me speechless, and I can't wait till I know your identity. Good luck.

-The reason I picked this poem as Winner over Self-portrait was simple, I found that it was more emotive, and evoked more within me. The flow was smoother and when I read this piece out loud it rolled off my tongue. Rhythm and flow are two very important things needed when creating a good poem, and I found the poet did a great job with this.

This piece was sincere and that's what really captured my attention, it shows that the poet has seen both the struggles and highlights of life but when it comes to the end of it, he or she will rise above any difficulties. I found this poem to have inspiration embedded in the words.

This poem is a metaphor within itself, until you read between the lines it's hard to gather that the poet is speaking of something that relates directly to themselves and that is what evoked the emotion within me. Of course it's a topic that has been done before, people have spoken of regret, truth, lies, pain.. but the way the poet wrote this is what makes a difference.

My constructive critism for this piece would be within the first two lines, the flow was a little off at the beginning where the first line of the poem ran onto the second, I found the words "as yesterday" weren't really needed as the same meaning could be found when reading the poem without it.

-Extremely difficult to judge these two poems and separate them because they were both very good.

"lines we walk toward tomorrow"

I think it should be towards here.

"would of best been scratched by truth"
Definately should have been 'have' and not 'of'
Just some little things I picked up on and still, it takes nothing away from this verse. Well done to this poet.

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I think some celebratory drinks are in order?
I will reveal the poets and judges in separate posts.

Oh wow, I swear I wasn't actually stalking this time, I just happened to be on.

I think it's hilarious and great that Lu and I got to go head-to-head in the final round. She's one of the Poem Mama standards on this site, and I'm honored that we got to share this round. Not to mention, she was an awesome partner who guided me gently into the new waters of collaboration. If it hadn't been for her, I might have dropped that round.

Ok, now I have to go read comments. Thanks judges and Danny and site members!

Congrats to Sibyllene and Luanne! Well done to all involved, a big thanks to Danny for putting on the contest and to the judges for giving their time. :)

Congrats ladies!

The Poets!

Round 1:

Past Life (Norhan)
Dreamworld (Myryn)
Sadness; Along These Shores (Nana)
Up in the Air (Luanne)
A Landscape (Sibyllene)
The Trees, The Road and Me (Sin Nombre)
True Lady (Mera Luna)
Missing You (Alfred)
Bouquet of Love (Jacey)
Give all my Secrets to you (Britt)
Already Gone (Ingrid)
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Pointless (Inside the Liar)
Aroma of a Memory (AJ)
Mass Confusion (Beautiful Chaos)
Mistletoe (Michael Nalley)
Treasure (Nicko)

Round 2:

Gatherer (Sibyllene)
Egyptology (Norhan)
Less Travelled By (Nana)
Undefined Time (Jacey)
The Power of Words (Luanne)
Recollection (Myryn)
Leavings (Under a Sunshine Moon) (Sin Nombre)
Written on the last page of the Book Of Love (Alfred)
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Simple Dwellings (Britt)
Opening Up (Colm)

Round 3:

Ancient Languages (Norhan + Myryn)
Legacy (Sibyllene + Luanne)
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Vernal Invitation (Alfred + Sin Nombre)
Sleeping Suns (Jacey + Nana)

Round 4:

Fall of Dusk (Luanne)
Winter Down (Sibyllene)
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Spring View (Myryn)
Leisure (Norhan)

Round 5:

Self Portrait (Sibyllene)
Unchangeable (Luanne)

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The Judges!

Judging was done by a selection of talented poets and great individuals:

Jane, Melpomene, Miss Take and Melissa were kind enough to offer their opinions so thanks is in order to them.

:)

I think the winner should get a free trip to Scotland, Edinburgh.

: )

I'm all for that! Every new person who is activated must contribute one dollar towards my airfare.

Congrats guys, this was seriously a well deserved for both of you!!

Danny thanks for your efforts :)

Congratulations to one and all.

Congrats Sibs and thank you judges :)

Well done Danny and thank you for the efforts!

Congrats to Sibs, a lovely poem!

& Congrats to Lu for making it to the final two!

Also congrats are in order for all those who entered, a lot of the poems were amazing.

Nice work, Danny ;)

Sibyllene is officially the reigning Poet of PnQ. She has won all the three challenges in which she has participated. I ask WILL SHE EVER BE DEFEATED? CAN IT BE POSSIBLE?

Congrats Sibs!

Congrats Sibs, very deserving win.
You ROCK girly !!!!

Congrats to everyone who entered. Thanks to Danny and the fabulous judges.

Woooooooot everybody ROCKSSSS

Well done to all..

Congrats Sibs and well done Lu

And congrats Val for running the contest..good job.

Sorry, I'm a little late and I am thrilled to see all the wonderful poets who partoke in this contest and Thank you judges for your efforts in making this an awesome contest and also Danny for hosting it! XD

Just to say that hellon only judged in the first and final round as an emergency judge