GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE CONTEST! Round 1 Results

Here are the results! It has been updated with all comments.

Thanks to all for your patience, I'll post the selections for Round 2 today, so be watching!
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1 A lost soul (Nonet- Acrostic) (95+70+80+BP2+BP1 =248 )

(95) I really enjoyed the depth and had no problem finding the flow in this hard challenge

(70) A wonderful blend of two poetry forms. I loved image of lanes diverging into excess limbs. The metaphor is very creative and makes an impression. Though the writer could have avoided the use of "their" thrice in a short piece like this.

(80) I do love the spiral and twists this piece takes. The creative way you took two forms and made them into one piece was very nice, well done~

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2 Puppet String (Nonet) (88+80+90+BP1=259)

(88) I feel the poet should have sacrifice the spelling out the meaning by using a one syllable word for puppet and I would not have been force to subtract for form

(80) The imagery is brilliant in the later half of the poem, that makes the reader stop for a while and appreciate the power of the words.

(90) This is a very creative and emotional Nonet...very nice~

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3 Untitled 1 (Etheree) (100+66+95+BP2=263)

(100) Needless to say this one left little or no room for improvement in my opinion
It is my opinion that most overall readers are attracted to the simpler wording that allow a timely digestion of powerful emotion

(66) "the eyes that I had fallen in love with" the last is beautiful, very romantic. A touching piece. The pain of losing a loved one is expressed well.

(95) I loved everything about this piece.... It flowed beautifully, a flawless Nonet... my only drawback was that it was untitled...such an emotional Etheree..... Absolutely breathtaking!

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4 La Vie En Rose (Acrostic) (98+79+95=272)

(98) Though my french is poor and Narcotizing is something I have felt more that I have heard it called that I felt not anyone could write an acrostic like this

(79) "Lull me until I fall into the Arms of your world." I loved the use of lull here ... adds a soft rhythm to the verse The last para is my favorite. I somehow feel that the poet is trying to escape from the reality and wants to sway into a different world. The imagery is kind of dreamy and there's a warm feeling in some of the verses except "Excuse my innocence before Narcotizing my thoughts." which brings back the reality.

(95) I read this piece several times....so elegant... Oh how I love this piece!!

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5 Hope's Destination (Etheree) (100+78+80=258)

(100) I was so speechless the first time I read this I felt its depth deserved much more consideration my compass is pointing towards home where my heart is great imagery and metaphors

(78) The poem speaks of hope, of achieving beautiful things in life. Loved the image of worn compass. It's like she's searching for a direction where she can feel love or smile or maybe a world where someone might hold her and not leave her in tough times. "curled among lingering fragments of love" ... loved this line the most.

(80) Beautiful..... etherees are precious when they can flow..... This flowed... however, your 8th line should have been 8 syllables and it was 9 ....other than that it's an excellent piece..

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6 Ocean (Tanka) (97+88+50+BP2=237)

(97) This one could be too far over my head to spark all the connection in a firing order though the poet most likely had them in his/her head

(88) The whole poem is brimming with excellent images. Brilliantly written.

(50) Tankas are fun to write, and the creative way you chose to write this was very nice however it confused me a bit, and seemed a bit choppy to me.... With a few touches here and there and this piece can really shine...nice~

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7 Love and Pain (Acrostic) (89+66+60=215)

(89) Just a personal preference. I feel the first words should jump at me

(66) The turmoil of past relationship or betrayal is expressed well though I felt that there's scope for being more creative and use of better imagery.

(60) Powerful acrostic, emotional piece... Here is my drawback....in my opinion with formed poetry is to allow them to flow....adding the punctuation in my eyes kills the flow....let these pieces breathe with beauty..

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8 Only In Time (Acrostic) (98+81+100=279)

(98) Love the breaks but prefer upper case for first word in sentence

(81) A lovely piece, I loved the simplicity of the poem, the way poet has described how it feels in love, how one notices and adores the little things and cherishes them.

(100) All I can say is Perfect! Elegant, stylish and WOW... love this piece in every way~

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9 Maliciousness (Tanka) (82+70+50=202)

(82) It left a lot to be desired in flow for me

(70) Appreciate the diction though I feel the poet could have gone easy on the wordings :). The imagery is powerful. Loved how the poet described the sorrow for dead as melodious.

(50) Powerful tanka....very nice, but again, I really need to feel the flow in these formed pieces...

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10 Droplets (Nonet) (94+77+60=231)

(94) A white haze mist would have worked better for me Now I can see how some of may own harder metaphors could be missed by fatigue. I will come back after pondering the inspired depth of the rain flowing slowly in my mind ...back

(77) Loved the imagery in the first three lines. Beautifully depicting the droplets. "and whisper across the world" The use of the word whisper adds more beauty the verse. Technically, the second line is missing a syllable. It should be 8 syllable instead it's 7.

(60) Precious piece here.....very pretty... but why the break between 4 and 5 ? group this piece together and it can sing.... Well done~

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11 Peace in white (Reversed Etheree) (91+ 84+50+BP2= 227)

(91) Winters awe. is a strong ending for a(Reversed Etheree) and I am still trying to picture
Compassionate winds nuzzling silent pines. Maybe because I have pined and feel
compassionate wind can be cool I can relate better than wild beast

(84) The poem is filled with beautiful images. I could visualize the poet relaxing on porch and watching the beauty unfold, //descending daintily earthward // I loved how the snowfall is described as daintily descending, gives an impression of something delicate and graceful. // diamond dust// clever and lovely description of snowflakes, shimmering in sunlight. //Winter's awe// perfectly fits the subject of the poem.

(50) Oh what a beautiful nature poem.... Loved the Reversed etheree.... But I'm a stickler for flow in formed pieces and again the punctuation is not needed.... Loved the creative imagery~ very nice

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12 Dark Rising (Acrostic) (98 +77 +95 = 277)

(98) I think I understand the work that went into this poem but to be fair I feel I must subtract for the and's that were not needed There is something unsettling about dark rising though I have to give points for originality

(77) The first line sets the mood of the poem. I interpreted dusk as darkness or dark thoughts, that's changing your though process. //sweetness that only exists within incomplete sentences and mixed metaphors// very creatively and wonderfully worded. Understood this as sweetness or happiness lying in only complexities but which in real doesn't mean anything. //mediocre happiness// this term really set me thinking. Happiness is complete, either one is happy or not happy, I interpreted this as being happy yet there's a yearning that needs to be fulfilled. overall a well written write with impressive images.

(95) Beautiful...Beautiful...Beautiful.....

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13 You are Everything I Write [Acrostic] ( 95+ 91+80+BP2 = 268)

(95) Very romantic imagery delivered in a contemporary-free flow with a bit of soul at the end

(91) I was blown away by this piece. I must have read this 5 times before commenting. The imagery is absolutely stunning. I felt this is the most impressive entry. The flow of thoughts is smooth and brilliant - starting with a dream for world of your own , then how slowly that fades and towards the end it remains as a speck of memory. Beautiful is a word too less to even describe this amazing write. //You once told me, through the quiver of a lazy street light that I was a twin to the universe we saw at that very moment.// I just loved the way you have set the background. I could visualize a couple under a lamppost, talking about their dream of being together.

(80) I adore this poem..... just one minor spelling error.... I really loved the display of elegance in this piece....very lovely..

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14 Untitled 2 (Tanka) (100 +71 +95 =266 )

(100) These words so much meaning to me that I feel I know to whom they were addressed

(71) //You chew up my words, swallow them aggressively, unable to taste them, // It gives an impression of someone who cannot understand your words, your feelings no matter how desperately you try to make them understand. I loved the metaphors here, beautifully written. The third line has 6 syllables instead of 5.

(95) Perfect piece in every way... again, give this poem a title and it sings~

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15 Scavenger Hunt (Nonet) (94 + 68+40 = 202)

(94) The thought pattern seemed labored but I can relate

(68) //buried deep beneath the surface scroonched amid hellish chaos, // interpreted these lines as a past filled with turmoil, that you are trying hard to forget. But still sometimes, these thoughts overpower you or maybe sometimes you triumph over your thoughts and move on. A well structured poem with a smooth flow.

(40) Very creative wording...very nice, however to me the wording is a bit much for a nonet form....

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16 Peppermints and Dandelions--Tanka ( 98+82 +100 = 280)

(98) very strong finish though I stumbled a bit on the flow of the first part

(82) The poem reminded me of childhood times, of summer holidays in countryside. I loved the title of the poem. //Old palms reminisce summers of plastic wrappers hiding sweet secrets// these lines exudes lot of innocence and warmth. I felt a hint longing in the poem for such moments. very beautifully written.

(100) How cute and fun this piece is.....excellent tanka!!

17 Alcohol (Acrostic) ( 100+ 72+70 = 242)

(100) This is powerful and leaves me with the hope the subject finds the light at the end of the tunnel

(72) It's tough to give up an addiction. My understanding is the poet is describing the struggle of a person who's trying to be cured of alcoholism. It's like the poet has gone into the mind of an addicted person. specially in these lines: Oh God, Please teach me restraint! How do I give this up, how can these nights end,

(70) This piece tugged at my heart emotionally....well done...

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18, Suddenly I've Won (Myself) (Nonet) (99 +73 +50 =222 )

(99) This poet goes from eggs to rotten and back to sweet very narratively and most of us can relate to the theme - sweet

(73) //My life is my revenge, and it is sweet// A beautiful way to express the intensity to live on. My interpretation is that - tragic situations have hurt you for long and now you are taking a stand. They would have loved to see you suffer or dead but you are revenging them by moving on or living life the way you want to. Tragic situations don't just refer to those created my others, but also by yourself. Maybe you couldn't free yourself from all the pain before, but now you want to be liberated.

(50) Powerful and emotional...very nice

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19, Shackles (Tanka) (96 +66+ 60= 222)

(96) White ribbons are metaphors for something quite innocent like a rabbit so the theme is consistent .This is a meaningful tanka.

(66) /freedom without consent now// I found the last line thought provoking. Freedom with consent is no freedom at all. The struggle to find true freedom is well described here.

(60) Powerful piece, loved the wording... the last line confused me a bit... overall very nice~

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20, The Long Drought ( Acrostic) ( 99+79+60 = 238)

(99) The free flow of this acrostic is beautiful and stayed right on the thirsty theme . I believe most readers can relate to that thirst that is worst I loved the imagery

(79) //This is the final season of misery I spend being heaved toward the filthy roads of affection, even if pavements grew gold in front of me.// My understanding is the poet has decided to move on. Maybe after losing someone or being betrayed, he/she was still living in hope of return, but now not any more. I loved the imagery of "dry yet faultless spring" and "blue winters" - this reflects the gloomy mood of the poet. I interpret "Drought" as metaphorical for bereavement or being bereft of love and joy.

(60) Well done....imagery is elegant.... I'm a stickler on form and flow....and the flow was a bit off...very inspirational....

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21, Waltz Interrupted (Nonet) ( 97+83+50+BP2 = 232)

(97) This beautifully written nonet reads like a romantic apology about being out of tune "Dissonance never dance: is to me a personification of dissonance

(83) //This is just to say, I have broken the rhythm of hearts still beating.// The first thought that strike me was you have broken a couple in love :P //I have stolen sound-chords out of the sky. I have pulled melodies from winds;// My interpretation is for some reason you have removed all source of music i.e happiness around that person. It can also mean that you are writing as a person who has broken the rhythm in your life i.e separated you from your loved one. Overall, brilliant imagery and cleverly crafted piece.

(50) Pretty Nonet, again the punctuation is not necessary.....

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22, Liar (Nonet) ( 97+71+100 =268 )

(97) I liked the last four lines the most though the whole poem was well thought out and reflects my feelings on lies

(71) Liked the flow of the poem, structured like a staircase, slowly descending towards the end. The last few lines are beautifully expressed.

(100) I'm not a fan of punctuation in formed poetry... it hurts the flow...but in this piece I have to say it didn't hinder this piece....excellant and powerful poem...

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23, Wishing Hours (Tanka) ( 88+85 +50 = 223)

(88) I will just have to admit the poet lost me though on a more positive note it was out of my world-

(85) //Ocher sunsets stretch to exercise April nights// I loved the image of ocher sunsets. The word stretch and April made me think about summer days being longer than winter. // Taupe sunrises// again another beautiful way to describe a sunrise.

(50) Very pretty... the flow just seemed a bit off to me...

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24, Will Anything Count? (Acrostic) (80+ 67+70+BP2 =219 )

(80) I am going to be generous and give the substance a twenty for humor Free verse is not totally free and you are competing with flawless flow in many cases

(67) Now this is a very different write with an interesting title. //Why should I write formed poetry when I have demonstrated my lack of interest and// This exactly reflect the thoughts I used to have few years ago, why restrict poetry to a particular form. But then I have started loving them. They are kind of addictive. I was smiling while reading this. //God awful form, and hoping you, the reader, are too dumb to notice.// LOL :D I loved the way this is written.

(70) This poem made me smile~ I found it creative and humorous...

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25, Born with Pride (Acrostic) (100+ 68+70+BP2 =240 )

(100) The imagery of this acrostic poem covered so many genre patriotism, life, personal , emotion and the daily bread of Spirit I am proud to be the judge

(68) //Whilst small and poor I am proud to be an African son.// I loved these lines, it gives an impression of a very strong character, someone who's confident and courageous. Overall I felt the poem could have been a little longer, with more description on why you are proud of your land.

(70) I really enjoy this piece, its full of richness and creativity...
I'm a stickler for proper style... and I would have preferred the ( i ) to be capitalized.

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Congratulations to those who continue to the next round.
Unfortunately authors of the following entries do not continue:

Love and Pain (Acrostic)
Maliciousness (Tanka)
Scavenger Hunt (Nonet)
Shackles (Tanka)
Suddenly I've Won (Myself) (Nonet)
Will Anything Count? (Acrostic)
Wishing Hours (Tanka)

Congrats to those who passed into the next round! :)

Thanks to Larry for posting the results and thanks to the judges for your effort! :)

Congrats all!

Larry, how are these scored? Each poem can get 100 per judge if I see right, or is it "10 pts for x" etc?

The scoring was done by a weighted formula that separated into (1) structure per the form's restrictions, (2) syntax & spelling, and (3) substance. Each judge had full discretion within each area & each poem was given a total of up to 100 per judge when all three measures were added together.

That had to be incredibly hard to judge, good job you all!! Those poems were amazing!

Good stuff. Congrats mover-oners.

Great job everyone! Conrgats to those moving forward :)

Congrats to all those moving forward...You all did a good job everyone, these are all wonderful

Congrats everyone, awesome poems..thanks judges for your hard work

Congrats everyone and indeed thank you to the judges it must have been extremely tough.

Congrats to those who are moving forward.

Well done to all participants.

Thanks to judges.

3 cheers for Larry & Hellon :)