Nor & Mel's Poetic Challenge [Winner & Results!]

Time is here for Nor & I to crown our winner!

First of all I want to say thank you to all of those who participated, we had a massive 17 poets enter the first round and it was a great level of participation from you all.

Our contest revolved around the accumulated points and therefore the winner managed to accumulate the most points throughout the 4 ROUNDS. It was no easy task, we tricked you all with a laid back first round then had you research the news, travel back in time and of course write your own prompts, however we do hope you enjoyed participating as much as we've enjoyed running it.

One poet excelled over all in order to wear that sparkling crown and of course get a chocolate cake from Nor! She battled 17 poets and now stands by herself as winner...

Please all congratulate our WINNER

~NARPHANGU!~

Congrats Narph, you definitely did an amazing job and it has been a pleasure reading your poetry throughout the entire contest, you deserve the title :)

Though of course beside her stands our Runners up who also did a wonderful job, congratulations to Dixiedaisy who takes our second place, Courageous Dreamer who stands in third place and Sibyllene who is in 4th place! Your poetry was also a pleasure to read and we thank you for the hard work you put in, in order to get to the final round!

We encourage you all to begin posting your poems to your account so we can begin the posting of reviews.

As a note, reviews have been posted in the previous thread, so go check them out:
http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/discussion/topic.html?topic_id=131182

Judges comments and results for the final round coming shortly!

I'd like to Thank everyone as well, Especially our judges (which will be revealed shortly) and those who did the reviews. Congrats to Narph (well deserved) and all those who made it to the final round.

***The reviews, like Mel, mentioned are in the previous thread. Do check them.

1) JUDGES RESULTS:
==============

Swimming Lessons
(2P+3P+3P) TOTAL: 8 Points

"This is a different take on lost love the loss of our childhood. At times it reads more as a short story than a poem. And i think that's mainly due to the use of filler words (and). For me most if not all lines should stand alone, as in be able to take a breath before moving on to the next.

A time when childhood was swaddled
in sun dried towels after a bubble bath
and crisp sheets warmed by moonlight
awaited Magellan minded dreams

With this stanza the reader is almost forced to race on from one line to the next, and as a result we almost miss your intent. My criticism ends there. I did enjoy the journey you took me on, there's many that could relate to this and the memories of our lost childhood when we were young and carefree without a worry, before age and life weigh us down. Its a nice poem with some good lines but it just dosn't grab me! It dosn't stand out from the crowd. It was safe and to make it great i think you needed to take more of a risk."

"Finding a creative and suitable title is pretty much a skill in itself. This is perhaps the most common problem for writers next to writer's block whereas on the other hand, in "Swimming Lessons", the author picked the right title effortlessly because as a reader I was already able to explore the connection of it to "the comforts of childhood innocence". This is the simplest poem on this round yet enjoyable and attractive. "Occasionally, I take a different route" indicates that the poet sometimes reminisces about their childhood. These lines, "summertime entertainment, flannel jimmies, and maple syrup covered pancakes" were the brief illustrations of the innocence and naivety of childhood in this poem which are further emphasized by the longing perhaps regret created by this poet. "Oh, how I wish I hadn't taken this path today" - this is like almost a plea that evokes pathos representing the disparaging comforts of childhood innocence, thus, connects with the lost love. Overall, I find this poem to be the most fitting for the given prompt."

"I have to admit that I couldn't connect the title with the poem once I began reading, neither could I concentrate on the opening lines (I had to read them thrice). I found the writing style too telling, yet I had no idea what the intention of this poem was, especially after reading the request. It didn't manage to pull me in, as both its language and structure are quite dull. I understand that this greyness is needed as an introduction, regarding the essence of this poem. So I should've actually praised the poet for adjusting her tone like this, but I still believe that lines such as "in the neighborhood we grew up in" could have been more specific and personal. On the contrary, the following stanzas do an amazing job at this. Numerous details, the "little things" of life that make childhood innocence so beautiful, are playfully shared with us. It's as if the reader steps from a colourless world into a vivid one. The poet wasn't allowed to make use of rhyme (something which often adds to the flow or rhythm) but still managed to keep up a lively rhythm, which makes the simple images much more attractive. This poet perfectly knows how enhance a poem without a flood of fabulous metaphors and similes. I especially enjoyed the slight repetition at the beginning of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th stanza, as it keeps us focused on the things these poet misses. I also enjoyed the subtle indications to the title, as I was oftentimes indirectly reminded of a sunny day at the pool. This poem certainly goes into a whole other direction than its request, but managed to express the same emotions of loss. It takes us into a journey of carelessness yet ends with a deep thought. I truly enjoyed this versatility."

--

Hunting the Cosmos
(3P+2P+2P) TOTAL: 7 Points

"A very clever little piece with an apt title for Sagittarius, though I had to do a little digging! It took a few reads to fully appreciate the depth you have given this piece., well done there are some very good lines within it.

a hunt begun before the victim was named

I loved this line. You also finished with a very strong ending

I, too, would hold a quiver of stars
and I'd mark targets
on the cobwebbed corners of space.

Maybe you could drop the (and) as a filler word but then again you may have used it to make the poem 75 words. Of all the poems you created the best imagery, and is my top choice for this round."

"Comparing its content to the title, "Hunting the Cosmos" is right and fitting. "I arch my eyes" is a very attention-getting line whereas the narrator is situating the readers alongside their gazing. Not only has it illustrated the buoyant southern sky but made a rousing entrance for this poem. The scene portrayed here is vividly real, while the phrasing, the imagery, the word choice, all of it is just so fresh and elegant. The ending lines bring the title and theme into a significant connection. Overall, this poem pretty much summed up the mystery, power and beauty of the universe."

"With the amount of 75 words, the poet took quite a broad landscape. You'd think that no one would be able to intertwine each and everything with something as big and fascinating as the cosmos, but the poet did this with elegance. I was very fond of the first line, as it's an unusual way of describing stargazing. It sets a very romantic scene which persuades the reader to look deeply into that southern sky as well. The only thing that awakened me from this beauty were the words "prometheus", "Scorpion" and "Jupiter", as they evoke something abstract that doesn't synchronize nature. Of course these were needed to write about the constellation, as requested, but I think they felt out of place due to the setting this poet choose. It makes me doubt the connection between the poem and the request. It's fine to veer away from the request, to follow your poetic instinct, but I think that the intention of this poet is too unclear. This doesn't mean that the poem itself is a bad one, it's actually the one that enchants me most. Its alliteration and imagery are two juicy elements that would pull any reader in. I also found the sense of "hunting" to be a fresh approach of a poem related to the universe."

--

Truth Prevails
(1P+1P+1P) TOTAL: 3 Points

"Like swimming lessons the structure of this poem also forced me to race from one line to the next, this stanza is more like one long sentence.

yet now we dress ourselves
in our culture to remember times
gathered 'round the dinner table
nibbling on zeli garnished
with burnt onions,

liden is not a word im familiar with, is it a typo? should it read laden as in family tree laden with names? I take this as a poem of where you're from, your heritage and how important that is to you and your family that you shall carry that always. I can see how hard you have worked to incorporate the rules for your poem, which can't have been easy but unfortunately I think your poem has suffered because of it. you have melded your poem to fit the restrictions and in doing so your poem has lost emotional content and impact. The last line is a good example of this, plus its a little cliche, the last line should give strength and help define your work, this line doesn't do it for me and falls a little flat. Yes stale maybe a hard word to use in a poem but i think you needed to be more creative than this."

"I find the title a bit distinct to the poem and to the given prompt. I get the sadness motif, but I think the author has let themselves off too far while incorporating that "saying", though I understand the need to emphasize it while fitting in to the given rules. While this poem is not that catchy, it does follow a very neat path. It's about reminiscing of a time spent together with family and how it enriched the narrator's life now. In the third stanza, the narrator proceeds to describe their heritage in greater detail which I find to be overly described, for example, "eagles" was repeated in two consecutive lines. While the beginning and ending lines are mutually connected, I find the latter less appealing and abrupt. Overall, it is a nice and powerful poem with deep meaning but somewhat restricted by the given rules."

"I like the way this poet included both symbolic and objective features within the first stanza. It's a clever way to pull the reader in without being overwhelming, which is oftentimes the tendency when writing cryptic, personal poems. The poet knows how to bundle an amount of loose objects into one, gently moving from the first scene into the other. If I had to name the strongest point of this poem, I would say transition. I'd almost include imagery as well, because some images within this piece spark true creativity. "totem of our belief" is an interesting way to empower the thing that this family firmly stands for, since a totem is an object that's steadily settled in the ground. And "soft-spoken voice of feathers" doesn't only have a catchy sound to it, it's also a very poetical expression. Unfortunately, this is what brings us to the downside of "poeticalness", which is vagueness. I know that this prompt steered the poet into a symbolic direction, but while you're making use of cryptic language, you also have to let your ideas seep into the mind of the reader. This isn't possible when you distance your words from the reader by forcing an image upon them which they probably can't imagine. But I have to admit that the poem is getting more accessible near the end, with its clear descriptions. Surely it's a very prosy way of illustrating the Coat of Arms of these regions, but the poet surely did it in her own way. I'll have to praise the poet for incorporating her own strong voice within this piece, just watch out with trying to be too glittery, whether it be imagery or wording. Words such as 'round and 'cross surely sound more captivating, but they don't fit a modern and solid piece such as this."

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2) ACCUMULATED POINTS:
==================

WINNER:
Narph: 51 + 31 + 18 + 7 = 107 Points.
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RUNNERS UP:
Kay: 44 + 11 + 8 + 8 = 71 Points.
Temps: 34 + 22 + 11 + 3 = 70 Points.
Sibyllene: 28 + 26 + 14 + 0 = 68 Points.
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Larry Chamberlin The Godfather: 38 + 16 + 5 = 59 Points.
The Poetess: 40 + 11 + 7 = 58 Points.
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Michael D Nalley: 26 + 13 = 39 Points.
Bob Shank: 22 + 14 = 36 Points.
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Tomas: 35 Points.
Jordan TC: 35 Points.
Slivershoes: 32 Points.
Ms SunShine: 28 Points.
Hold Your Heart: 21 Points.
Britt: 10 Points.
Slighte: 7 Points.
Yaki Love: 7 Points.
Rabea Jadallah: 6 Points.

Next it's time for us to thank our lovely judges who helped us out throughout this contest. You were given the difficult task of judging 17 poems in the first round and It couldn't of been any easy task. Nor and I are very grateful for your participation, your dedication allowed for the contest to run as smooth as possible.

Special thanks to The Queen for all your help, you know you're a life saver. Special thanks to Mera Luna for getting her judging in even when she was on holiday! & a special thanks to Nicko who has been busy with work but still took the time to judge for us. :)

Also thank you to our two back-up judges, Britt & Bri (lady Aureus Argentum) your ability to come in swiftly and get things done is appreciated and I must also say thank you to all of those who agreed to being back-up judges, I know how busy you all were.
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JUDGES:
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Round 1: The Queen, Mera Luna & Nicko
Round 2: The Queen, Mera Luna, Britt [Back up Judge] & Lady Aureus Argentum [Back up Judge]
Round 3: The Queen, Mera Luna & Nicko
Round 4: The Queen, Mera Luna & Nicko.
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ROUND 1 - 17 poems entered, 4 eliminated, 13 remained.
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Summertime on Bearskin Neck by Narphangu (51 Points)
I am by Dixiedaisy (44 Points)
Rhinestone by The Poetess (40 Points)
Dissolve by Larry Chamberlin The Godfather (38 Points)
Granite by Jordan TC (35 Points)
The Glass Ocean by Tomas (35 Points)
Muddled by Courageous Dreamer (34 Points)
Icicle by silvershoes (32 Points)
Last Wish by Ms Sunshine (28 Points)
Fire in the Darkest Season by sibyllene (28 Points)
Achilles' Heel by Michael D Nalley (26 Points)
Even ugly can make beauty by Bob Shank (22 Points)
Survival of the Vagrant Heart by Hold Your Heart (21 Points)
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Eliminated
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Persephone by Britt (10 Points)
Don't Speak by slighte (7 Points)
If you had never forgiven me by Yaki Love (7 Points)
Not Just a Rock by Rabea Jadallah (6 Points)

ROUND 2 - 8 poems entered + 1 Masked Poet, 2 Eliminated, 6 remained.
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Siriusly, I'm Gonna Miss You, Potter by Narphangu [Media] (31 Points)
Behind the Iron Gate by sibyllene [Travel] (26 Points)
Pamplona by Courageous Dreamer [World] (22 Points)
Milly's Last Voicemail by Larry Chamberlin The Godfather [Media] (16 Points)
Farloym yingl (acrostic) by Dixiedaisy [Society] (11 Points)
Iseael, You Fading lie. By The Poetess [World] (11 Points)
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ELIMINATED
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High Society by Bob Shank [Society] (14 Points)
Evolving Environment by Michael D Nalley [Environment] (12 Points)

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MASKED POET: Rent.
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No poem entered:
Ms Sunshine
Jordan TC
Hold Your Heart
Tomas
silvershoes

ROUND 3 - 6 Poems entered, 2 eliminated, 4 remained.
-------

Poem 5 by Narphagnu [Norse] (18 Points)
The Ardent Deer, the Subtle Snare by sibyllene [Celtic] (14 Points)
Ma'at by Courageous Dreamer [Egyptian](11 Points)
Coyolxauhqui by Dixiedaisy [Aztec] (8 Points)
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ELIMINATED
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Mizeria by The Poetess [Greek] (7 Points)
Saga of Enlil and Ninlil by Larry Chamberlin The Godfather [Sumerian] (5 Points)

FINAL ROUND - 3 Poems entered.
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Swimming Lessons by Dixiedaisy (8 Points)
Hunting the Cosmos by Narphangu (7 Points)
Truth Prevails by Courageous Dreamer (3 Points)

No poem entered:
sibyllene

First, congratulations to Narphangu for winning and to Dixiedaisy, Courageous Dreamer and Sibyllene for making it to the final round.
Thanks to the judges for their dedication.

THANKS to Mel & Nor for one of the best contests I've seen. Creative platforms, inspired premises and well organized handling.

I AM NO POETRYYY GENIUS BUT I JUST KNEW THAT THAT POEM WOULD WIN...OH MY GOD.......I WAS LIKEEEEE IF THAT DOESNT WIN A WOULD COME IN AND TEAR THE PLACE DOWN CAUSE THAT POEM WAS JUST TOO GOOD TO NOT WIN...OMGGGG...I CANT EVENN....CONGRATS ALL 3 THOUGH...AMAZINGG WORK..WHEN PEOPLE IN MY REAL LIFE SEE THE KIND OF WORK AND AMAZINGNESS I SEE ON THIS SITE,PERHAPS THEY WILL GET WHY THEIR CHEESY ASS VERSES NEVER IMPRESS ME.

THE LEVEL OF TALENT HERE IS UN FREAKING BELIEVABLE...SOME PEOPLE ON THIS SITE SHOULD BE MAKING MILLIONS!

AND I WILL POST AGAIN AND IN CAPSLOCK CAUSE THEN YOU COULD FEEL AS IF SOMEONE IS SCREAMING TO YOU AND THAT IS WHAT I WANTTTT THEM PEOPLE ON HERE TO FEEL MY EXCITEMENT WHEN I SAY THAT IM NOT GETTING OVERR THE FACT THAT THE AMOUNT OF AMAZINGNESS YOU PEOPLE BRING TO THE TABLEEE HAS ME HOLDING ON TO MY HOUSE CAUSE IM ABOUT TO BLOW AWAY...

LOL, Yaki!!
Wow, guys, thanks so much! I'm reaalllly looking forward to this cake, lol. Though I hope it doesn't have to be shipped from Egypt? I had a ton of fun writing for this contest, and trying (and I guess failing) to guess the other participants.
Congrats to everyone who entered and especially Kay, Temps, and Sibs... your work has been beautiful, and I'm sorry I didn't have time to comment this last round. Also, sorry Temps for that prompt... :/ I didn't realize how bad it was, wish I could take it back.
Thank you to everyone who commented and also thank you thank you thank you judges. Your comments were really helpful, and I have some things to think about before I post everything.
Oh, and also congrats to you guys, Nor and Mel... You did an AMAZING job on this contest, and I'm sure it was a lot of work... Good job, guys, we're splitting this cake!

Congrats, Narphy!!!!! I was just about to post something in The Club, but then I realized you're not there anymore. Ho hum! But seriously, those poems were CLASS. I think the Bearskin one was my favorite. Pure sexiness.

Thanks Nor and Melpomene for running such a great contest. I love all the contribution you got! Having all that extra feedback was spectacular.

Congrats Narph! You definitely deserve it. Also congrats to Kay and Sibs as well. Definitely a challenging contest to say the very least, but really enjoyable at the same time. No worries Narph, your prompt was definitely very hard and probably the hardest of the bunch but I had to work with what I got.

Thanks Nor & Mel. The contest was great! Wonderful job. Also thanks judges & everyone who took the time to give feedback, definitely very helpful :)

Congratsssssssssssssssssssssssssssss Narphhhhhhhhhhh I'm so so happy for ya! :D and your poems were AH MAY ZINGGGGG :)

congrats baby :)

LOL
read this....my review on Narphs poem:

"This was the hardest one! I cannot believe how the writer could write such a perfect piece! this is in my book the winner, and I believe that it will win! :) I love everything about it, starting from the title, till the very last line, good job." -The Poetess

^^^
see?
I knew it will be the winner!!! smart me LOL :):)

Congrats Narph! You did a wonderful job in this contest. And congrats to Dixie, Temps and Sibs as well. And thank you for the huge amount of submissions, you all truly got my head aching. :)

Good job Nor and Mel for hosting such an awesome contest despite all the problems that had occurred!

Edied :P

Congratsssss to all! Great to see the contest running again, and so wonderfully.

Congrats to all! :)

Congrats to all indeed

Congrats to all, Narph, Kay, Temps and Sibs for those who have participated as well.. :) Well done, Mel and Norhan for this awesome contest :)

Now it's Colm's turn to dominate these awesome site contests :D

Congrats and well done to the winner and to all who entered, and a well done to the judges;0)

Well done to all involved, especially the winner Narph, and to Nor and Mel for putting together the contest

I am organising mine at the moment, so it should be up and running in the next few days. So keep the poetic juices flowing and watch this space :)

Yes congrats to all and especially Narph, well done Nor and Mel it was a well run contest and fun to be a part of...