Weekly Winners - 9/12

Here are the winners & HM's for this week! Special thank you to the members who comment, read, nominate and vote on these poems, and the judges for tirelessly going through each and every poem nominated to choose their top 3. Congrats to all those posted in here today! :)

Novel Idea
by Tara Kay

"This piece stood out from all the poems nominated this week. I knew that the author has so much potential, and now, she was able to pour it all on these very few lines. First of all, I was drawn by the title, at the first look; it felt weird, but then you realize that it's creative and of dense volume- just like a novel. The poem flows well and the wording is really smooth, which fits very well with the idea. The writer here kept a firm hold on the pace from the very beginning till the end. Taking off with an alluring conditional sentence, she describes the pain of her lover as a novel. And based upon this novel idea, the poem is written perfectly and structured beautifully. I really like how the components of a novel (paper, content...) were used to paint a picture describing the painful life of the lover: (Paperback emotions / and hardback lies/ Horror and Fantasy rolled into one)- this is original! We get to know that this lover is a phony, and the writer here brilliantly created this scene of him hiring her as his novel illustrator, painting his tears on the cover - how sad it is - as if wanting to let the world know that she is the one responsible for his torment; it would be obvious because all people would believe him when they read his novel without getting to know her vantage point of the whole painful love story (and the author would be you/recreating the images that invade/your mind.). The end was also dazzling! More like... epic! (If your pain was a novel / I'd buy it in an instant.) - I really don't know how to analyze this, from which aspect! One could say that the writer finally understood that her lover's life is painful because of her (this can relate to the title), or that his priceless life was written in a cheap book that no one would buy except for her, maybe, just maybe, to let him feel that he is someone! I really don't know what to say. I was happy to ponder at the end of what was the poetess thinking when writing this masterpiece and the vague turning point at the end. AMAZING!" (10)

"I know there are lots of great pieces of poetry this week, and I seriously was confused, but I never hesitated to vote for this. This writer is a professional and I am sure we're going to see her on the front page many times later, the idea of hers was original and well-written, she shortly said everything. Strong, expressive write." (10)

----------------------------------------------------------

Closed-Eyed Visualisations
by Monster

"The beginning of this poem really intrigued me and drew me in. There is something private about the act of closing one�s eyes, as if you are turning away from the outside world and looking into yourself. The poet's imagination then is a contemplation of the inner working of her mind, of who she really is. There is a sense that this can only be guessed at, maybe an educated guess but possibly never be fully known. There are some very interesting descriptions and images in the poem also, for example this line: "She meditates on things ranging from mechanical disarray to organic perfection." The language isn't over complicated; the poet doesn't try too hard to make it sound intricate. The reader can imagine the curious thoughts of his mind, transcribed onto paper. It's quite natural. The use of "limitless," to end the poem I found effective also. We learn a little about the girl and the poet, but most remains unknown, only to be hinted at. An interesting and original love poem, which is an unusual thing on this website. It's a very interesting read, and a well accomplished write." (10)

"A different sort of love poem from a different feel and perspective. I love the focus here, how it's directed at his love interest, her sensations, her images and thoughts, what must be going on through her mind. Especially like the 'orchestra of crickets' as that is literally what they are called and it's so poetic sounding as is. Brought a ton of different emotions and senses to mind, definitely beautifully written with someone special in mind." (10)

-----------------------------------------------------------

It Was Something In Your Eyes
by jon 914

"I think this poet is absolutely talented, in this poem, he showed me exactly why, the metaphor used in the opening lines was marvelous, it totally did serve it's purpose in the poem and gave it a very vivid image, Very well warding throughout the whole poem, and made it flow nicely, defiantly worth the time spent for reading it. Good job and God bless" (10)

"It is always nice to see some hidden talents here and there, and it is nicer to see them on the front page too, I loved this write, I loved it so much, very well-expressed, very touching and it says a lot." (4)

-----------------------------------------------------------

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Price Tag.
by the Queen

"There is something very sad about this poem when you think about it. The old phrase "money can�t buy happiness" is represented well here, and in quite a unique and interesting way. The reader feels sorry for the man with the "doll", which makes the poem in a way almost sadder, as being pitied is a very sad thing in this sense. I picture a man alone, truly alone, practically accepting there is nothing he can do to find real love or affection, no matter what he does. There is a sense that he knows this all too well; only though he spent only a small amount there is a definite understanding that no amount of money could buy what he searches for. The ending is clever in achieving this effect. He tries to make excuses for himself, but of course to no avail. "Tracing road maps on her freckles" - this description is intimate, that it makes it sadder that it isn't real. I'm not sure about the line "n i g h t s and sigh-lence," if I'm missing something. "Sigh-lence," is a clever play on words but I have the feeling I'm missing out on the meaning of "n i g h t s." Overall though, a well-written poem which is also very sad at another level." (7)

"This poem was different, the lines were very deep, extremely expressive ideas along with some beautifully written metaphors
and it had a picture perfect flow, very nicely written, worthy of a standing ovation." (7)

6 Packs
by Abed aka LP

"This write is absolutely worth a win, I am pretty certain many can relate to it, it speaks of an inner fear that everyone has. The wording was powerful and every word fits what the writer has to say, it showed some sadness and shame, you might say, at first and then some confidence and that made it a winner, I couldn't help but vote for it." (7)

"I couldn't help but chuckle and smile when I read this poem,
it was very inspiring, and his sense of humor and level of confidence played a big part on the content of the poem, and the message behind it, is a very important one, Acceptance is crucial." (4)

A boy called baby squirrel
by Lu

"An emotive piece, that reminded me very much of a video I seen once about Muhammad Ali visiting a terminally ill child. Ali said "I told you I'd beat George Foreman and now you're going to beat cancer," and the kid said "No champ, I'm going to God and when I get there I'm going to tell him I know you." I can't really imagine anything more heart-breaking than losing a child in that way, and the poet captured that emotion. It's a poem that has an impact on the reader just thinking about it, and it's easy to see how the poets life has changed after the encounter. It's frightening in a way to think of the feelings the parents must have. It's a very heart-breaking piece, a poem that really makes the reader feel. In terms of style and structure, there is things that are only average; for example the first half of the poem is too drawn out, the poet is trying too hard to make intricate descriptions at the beginning. Also, the "never never until" bit was a bit contradictory, and I don't think the 50-50 simile worked. But there is a sense that these things get forgotten a little by the end of the poem, where you realise it is all about emotion. So in summary, some aspects could be improved upon poetically but the emotion is something that should not be replaced." (4)

"An emotional read, one that definitely tugged at my heartstrings. I think if you read this poem and don't feel anything, you may be just a bit dead inside. You can definitely tell Lu is a mother, and a definite "mom" figure here, she has such wisdom and strength, but immense compassion for the subject in this poem as well. Love the quote included, so very true!" (4)

My Cheap Psychology
by Karla

"An interesting spin on what we semi casually go throughout our lives. I think every one at some point in time can relate to this poem, and that's what made me really read it the 7 times I did.. yes, 7! It was intriguing and brought something new to the table. I especially liked the ending, of 'first I thought I was a poet' and so on. Brilliant write!" (7)

Emotional Arithmetic
by Karla

"It's so refreshing to read about poems portraying some modern and current social problems, and not talking about overused subjects of love, despair, and nature... What I dig the most in this poem are its amazing flow and wise thoughts. I congratulate the poetess here for drawing an exact picture of what's happening in these days: greed, money-rush, mathematics (multiplication and addition) - and this verse is just wonderful (since pockets and ammunition/are merciless to hunger and/ignorance). The second stanza was also rhythmic and vivid; I like the description: lashless eyes. Afterward, you get enticed by the wise thoughts the writer uses after displaying the negative side of this current world; actually, that was my favorite part: (Happy are those who do not allow/themselves to be swallowed by/the midnight of the new mathematics./Happy are those whose hearts/haven't been infected by the adulteries/of the unconcerned). And let me tell you: AWESOME, the ending was, AWESOME! It's like saying: you can do whatever you want- go breathlessly seeking for money, be greedy and merciless, do not care for what's happening in this world... at the end, what would you take from all of these? DEATH, is the end. And this end is worth a standing ovation. Brilliant." (7)

Futile Definitions
by The Poetess

"All what I want to say is that the poetess is an amazing writer, and I typically get captured by all the original thoughts she writes about, wholeheartedly. You can always get this feeling when sensing her tone she masters the most. This growing-weary-sick-and-tired tone is what makes her writes breathtaking. The title can say it all: futile definitions. Even her title is dripping with exhaustion. Excellent write. She cannot find the exact definition of love, is it this? or that? this? or that? This and that are vivid and original metaphors. I like so much. Congrats." (4)

Amazing poems!!!!!
and new poets on the front page
that is amazing!!!!
congrats Tara, Jordan and the new poet Jon maybe!!!

congrats everybody I'm so happy this week :D xD

And thanks for the H'M and the nice comment, it made my day!

wonderful. :)

Congrats winners and HM. Thanks judges and Joe.

Wait, wait....can I ask something???

the queen had the same amount of points as Jon, why didn't she win? she was considered as an H'M

o.O

just a question, don't bite me.....
*slips away*

Could be the dates written, the amount of nominations, votes or comments one had over the other. The site automatically pulls it, so if the judges make a tie, it comes down to those other factors.

Congrats to winners and H'Ms! :)

Oh ok I got it, may it win the next week, I loved it! :)

Congratulations to all.

Thank you
and well done to the other winners and HM's

:)
xxx

Congrats all :D

Good choices, judges, thank you for your efforts.
Great poems & congratulations to the poets.

I'm flattered, thank you! Congratulations to fellow winners and HMs. :D

WOOOWW :)

I'm so happy and pleased to find some new poets winning.. and also, there is a wide variety of HM's. I think it was an awesome medley of poems.

Hooray for the winners and HM's.

And thanks judges for your votes. An HM is a winning poem, definitely :)

COngrats everyone and thanks for the HM, judges.

Congrats!

Congrats :)

Congratulations all.

The amount of skill in every single wining and HM poem was beyond believable, very inspiring reads, very impressive thought provoking ideas in some of the poems a well, good job everyone

Congratulations all :)

Congrats to all.

I am extremely happy Jordan's poem won, I think I would of been in shock if it hadn't, I was watching for that one this week.

I agree, I adore Jordan's poem. I've read it multiple times, and that's rare for me... usually once is enough.

Rabea, did you mean to say winning? or whining? =p

Is curious to know who is downvoting the winners this week??

^^Don't give a damn to this, Tara, they are just jealous of you winning.

Yes it happens to a lot of poems that win..take no notice, you did good girl...

Just a suggestion, that i don't think would work but would actually approve the voting system in my opinion, why not @ each vote, submit a paragraph on why you think the poem deserves a one to five, and have a mod review it, if it's lots of work then appoint one or two mods just for that, if if the Mod don't see your reasons fit to the voting you've provided, it doesn't count, just like the praising system.

it would for sure decrease the amount of votes each individual get, but @ least the voting system would be more reliable, it's safe to say that some people rate poems with 5 just because a friend may have written it, while others down-rate a poem just because they don't like the person who has written it,
I don't see why that poem deserved such a rating, it was picture perfect.

cheers

In the same right if a person actually feels the poem isn't up to snuff (not saying that about the poems that won) then they should be able to vote how they like, without it being considered down voting or jealousy.

Contrary to popular belief people who do that aren't always down voting some actually feel the quality and overall message to be whatever number they delegate it.

In any case I loved Jordan's Poem as well! Bravo

I know it's somehow devastating to see that a poem like Tara's on the front page with a voting of liike 3 out of 5.

But who cares?

Tara, you should be proud that you have the WIN.
Comments are what matter.
Votes don't do anything!

Any deliberate down-voting is sick and says more about the voter than the poem.

^^^Yes, very much.

1. Deliberate down-voting is bad, but be cautious to assume any time someone doesn't give a 5, they are being vicious. The stigma around "down-voting" on PnQ has become so horrid that I doubt anyone would come forward to admit they haven't given a perfect 5/5.

2. Remember that the voting system consists of 1 through 5, therefore if a poem's overall score is dropping down to 4, don't assume it's because they are receiving lots of 1's. They are more likely receiving lots of 4's.

3. Comments are more valid, more important, and more meaningful than votes. Don't obsess over votes if you're receiving lots of great comments.

4. Would you rather have your vanity stroked by receiving all 5's on all of your poems, or should we ask more from ourselves and make the voting system on PnQ a meaningful scale? It's something to think about.

---

Anyway, since everyone would like to call out the "down-voters" and interrogate them, I'll be the first to come forward and say I did not give all 5's this week. In fact, I gave two 4's. I wasn't aiming to hurt anyone's feelings or ruin poets' reputations, just giving my honest votes (and 4/5 ain't bad, mind you).

:)

So there you are. And now I'm off to leave comments.

I totally understand what you are saying and why you did give my piece a 4/5.

I just felt a bit cheated when I had a rating of 4.6, and then 2 votes later only 4.0
I was confused, and did notice that the other poems were the same, which was my annoyance in the least.

But thank you for the comment, I totally appreciate it
thanks
xx

It'd be great if we could get rid of the voting system altogether.

Well just my opinion I had many people before commenting and letting me know that this poem by me deserved a 4/5 (and not in a mean way), so everyone should be reminded ..

5=excellent
4=good
3=fair
2=poor
1=bad

both 5's and 4's are pretty good enough to please anyone, especially that whenever I praise someone's work they'd say, no we ain't that "good".

The only votes that might really show jealousy or hatred/grudge are the "1" and "2" for a front page poem or even a nominated poem, cause I doubt a good/fair/or an excellent poem would be nominated if it was (poor/bad).

so a 4.0..is really as good as 5.0 I believe! However who cares about ratings, think we should all focus on the critiques/comments we receive by people and check if their opinion about our work is changing to the better or not.

Oh I agree ^^

What I said was taken out of context, I was just mad to begin with, and a bit shocked, no worries though,
I know ratings are not important to most of the members here, but thinking that maybe a lower voting deters people from even reading the poem.

Anyway, Yeah wasn't meant to start this huge debate!

I don't think you came off as mad :) and I appreciate that you are being very kind and understanding of why some people (me, for instance) might give a 4 and not a 5.
So no worries.

Debates can be good I reckon, and so far this one is.

I seldom give a 5, if i ever vote at all that is..

If somebody tells me one of my poems is good (4) well thats good...more than good.

Vanity says we all like a 5 beside our name, but we all know that its the comments that are the most meaningful...

I don't always vote a five, either. I didn't on the winners page this week. Doesn't mean I give all 1s because I'm a hater (haha). I actually don't even vote if the poem is 1-worthy. But I will vote a three and not feel bad. I don't expect all fives, my poetry isn't 5 worthy. We need to get rid of the system or revise it drastically (Hellooooo Jaaaaniiiisssss!!!)

"We need to get rid of the system or revise it drastically (Hellooooo Jaaaaniiiisssss!!!)" ( I do agree with getting rid of it all together 100%)

A quicker fix is for peoples perceptions to change of what these numbers truly mean. While everyone has their own definitions / qualifications. I think if a poem is 'average' or 'nice' it should get a 3. Rarely if ever do I give a 5 or 4 unless I'm truly awe struck. I have given 2's and 3's without batting an eyelash. But then again it's rare that I vote.

If people feel votes truly define who they are as a writer and get upset at it... well that attitude will hinder them. How does a person ever expect to grow if they see a 5 beside all of their works? This isn't rude but there are a few poets on this site worthy of 5's on their work. Me I consider myself a 1 or 2. Why? Because I know for a fact my poetry isn't anywhere close to the greats of the poetry world.

The ego's need to go and a little more understanding into the voting system goes a long way. Or Janis could come in and get rid of the darn thing. Then only have it in play for judges when they need to vote.

Time for some to take their egos down a peg.

Yes.
The voting system must be shut down. It would be a lot better for people around here.