Contest Winners- January 14, 2013

Hey all!! Here are your winners and Hm's for this week :) Congrats to all!

WINNERS:

WWW.HOLY.NET
by Michael D Nalley - 10+ 4 = 14

Twentyonedays
by: Darren 7 + 7 = 14

Dear Reader
by MyHalozChokinMe 7 + 4 = 11

HM's:

"Footprints in the Sand"
by Formidable Muse (10)

Distance
by: Tara Kay (10)

Monologue Of Realization ( slam poetry? )
by Baby Rainbow - (10)

How Can A Heart Just Stop?
by Larry Chamberlin the Godfather (10)

Silence Is Golden
by Baby Rainbow (7)

As Simple As...
by Poet on the Piano - (7)

Child Slavery (acrostics)
by Meena Krish (4)

Poem: Called to Worship (VI)
by Joseph J Breunig 3rd (4)

Perfectly Polished
by Hannah Lizette (4)

WINNER COMMENTS:

WWW.HOLY.NET
by Michael D Nalley

Michael, your poem is creative, breathtaking, awesome. I think there are more twenty adjectives to define what I felt when I read your piece but none of them could express how much I loved what you penned. It knocked me out. The idea of a cyber Jesus on the surface to convey such a deep message is amazing. Everything here is food for thought and made me reflect on so many things. People tend to forget that behind this stupid/fantastic/terrible/incredible machine, there is a human being who deserves some respect regardless of his nationality, religion, age and etc. Sometimes I get discouraged because of virtual battles, bias and etc but I keep posting my poems because they are much more important than anything else. Besides internet is an addiction. Virtual life is hard as real life but at least we have an excuse: we don't know who is behind the screen but I do think that politeness should prevail though. Michael, cyber friendship can happen, however, it takes time to make some good friends. I don't have more than six if I am not mistaken and I want them in my life forever.
I almost forgot to tell you I loved the flow and the images you crafted. Couldn't expect less from you. I know I will always find something special when you present us with a new poem. Excellent piece - (10)
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WWW.HOLY.NET
by: Michael D Nalley

Everything about this short little poem stood out for me- it had a strong message and the poet has a spiritual heart and mind. There was originality that cannot be overlooked, this poet completely absorbed me in the thoughts of what one would do if Jesus was on-line, and how we would befriend him. Unique and heart-warming read.(4)
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Twentyonedays
by: Darren

This was certainly one of the most interesting reads I've come across this week, and I can tell the poet not only put emotion but deep thought in talking about cigarettes and their addictive nature. Well-crafted, I admire how the poet did not say what was obvious but put more power into his words, reminding one of the dangers and also the loss of relationships one can have. I too loved when the poet mentioned his daughter, it made it that more personal and thought-provoking. The personification of the cigarette was also something I'd never read before....it tempts, it whispers, and it tries to get in one's mind. Amazing read.(7)
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Twentyonedays
by Darren

I've always found the 21 day theory to be quite interesting, the thought that it could possibly take as little as 21 days to change habits and neural activity patterns...I always felt it would take a greater effort to keep those learned habits from re-emerging...which in my mind, sheds light on recovery with addictions...

Anyway, I love the subject matter that Darren chose to expound on, definitely not a common theme for a poem, which I found appealing and stimulating.

I love the way he touches on two common vices for people in general, smoking and alcohol and how they quite often numb and dull to the point that one can escape their realities...then switches gears by noting that a person can choose to change the thought process that led to the vice...and that in a mere 21 days, a person is able to learn new habits, change the thought process and see those vices for what they are...

Very well penned, thoroughly enjoyed the read. (7)
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Dear Reader:
By MyHalozChokinMe

I have read this 3 or 4 times now and I am honestly blown away at such strength of writing contained in such a small piece.
I cannot think of a better way of describing poetry writing than this. Line 2 is absolutely genius. So 'matter of fact' but so true. I also think the term 'intellectual intercourse' is brilliant.
The whole thing has such a professional polish about it.
It is clever how the author suggests that reading her poetry is her sharing her demons with you. They climb inside your head and become your demons too. It compliments the word choice 'exorcism' earlier on. But the best thing is we are shown poetry as something different, it does become our demon. I bet everybody on this site can think of a poem that effected them in some way that they read as a child. Great write.(7)
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Dear Reader:
by MyHalozChokinMe

Your poem is super creative. I really liked the idea of writing being a love affair between a writer and a reader:

"For a moment,
we are connected,
intertwined.

Intellectual intercourse takes us away.

I'm yours, you're mine.

Lover to lover.

Writer to reader."

I have seen many definitions but yours is amazing. I have always thought that the act of writing is out of love and reason - I don't believe in inspiration - but I have never thought about an intellectual intercourse between writer and reader. I think there is an enchantment that keeps the writer and the reader together; I mean you see a poem/book from your favourite poet/writer and you want to read it. On the other hand, when we write, we have our readers in our mind. We always want some kind of feedback. There is no writer who doesn't have a target reader that's why I don't agree when people say we write for ourselves. We write to share our experiences and lives even when it is an exorcism. Maybe the foreplay start when we think about the kind of reader we want. Well, I really liked your poem. I love when I read something that feeds my hungry brain. Well done - (4)
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HM COMMENTS:

"Footprints in the Sand" by Formidable Muse

The imagery in the first stanza immediately drew me in, I thought the comparison of the moon illuminating the sky to "hope" was beautiful. The author touches on a subject that many can relate to, the past, things that we may have been working to move forward from, but haven't quite forgotten or forgiven...I like the reference to dreaming of the future, struggling to be someone but the mind continues to mock them with this yearning for a moment in time, or possibly a former state of mind and the hopeful acknowledgment that maybe it is time to let go of the things that are holding them back...love the notion of freedom when a person allows regret to wash away like footprints in the sand...

Wonderful poem (10)
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Distance
by: Tara Kay

I really was moved by the atmosphere in which the poet created. The personification of distance, along with the anxious feeling I got to try to hold onto memory, was well-crafted by this poet. It was not overly verbose and the message was not implemented with adjectives just crowding this piece. It was subtle, and I could hear that distance calling out for love. Maybe for love to return or for love to be not so broken as it once was, not as scattered. Beautiful poem filled with longing, I loved the calm yet haunting images of the ashes blown into the sea, the wet pavements, and cold air. This was my favorite line: "sometimes the furthest memories are the ones that need to be pocketed"- that was provoking in every sense. (10)
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Monologue Of Realization ( slam poetry? )
by Baby Rainbow

First up, let us all look past the fact that this in the eyes of many is not a poem. It is a monologue at best that with a few tweaks and a change of layout could be a big poem. Let's also ignore the spelling mistake later on in the piece......
As a judge I can pick what floats my boat and this does.
Let us all be honest, Poetry is seen as a bit lovey-dovey by those looking in. In most cases and forms poetry hasn't moved on. A sonnet is a chance to show off, a Senryu is written by people who can't be bothered to write a big poem. Haikus were invented by the Japanese who like everything smaller, hence why technology is so great. Would Shakespeare still be writing sonnets if he was alive today?
No
He would be writing slam poetry.
He would want to continue to move with the times and bring poetry to the masses.
This is not a poem, it is a hundred poems crammed into a heartfelt and extremely raw piece of writing. There is no mistaking that everything written is honest. It captures the reader early and we can sympathise with the author.
What makes a good poem?
A smattering of similes and metaphors ? They are present.
A pace that dictates the flow? Yes, it is here.
Strong emotion? There is no doubting that it is present.
9 stanzas written as well as any poem.
Well done Baby Rainbow. (10)
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How Can A Heart Just Stop?
by Larry Chamberlin the Godfather

Larry, the only thing I'm going to say is that this write is so heartbreaking, its written with so much emotion, it makes the reader truly feel the pain of their loss and the love they had for their unborn child and for each other. My heart goes out to this beautiful couple for their loss and what they had to endure. (10)

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Silence Is Golden
by Baby Rainbow

Saffie, I just adore this piece and it's written so elegantly... I've always believed that you cannot hide anything because your eyes tell all. I felt so much tenderness in your words as I was reading this, I've said this before and I'll say it again, I love it when a write makes me feel the emotion thats intended... (7)

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As Simple As...
by Poet on the Piano

I really liked your poem and the apparent simple message it embodies. Besides it presents a situation that is so relatable. I suppose we all faced some dark days when we were at school: "stares, whispers, scrutinies" and people thinking we are weird are part of a game called life. Nietszche wrote: " what doesn't kill us, makes us stronger" and this quote is my motto. We are not here to please people, we are not here to satisfy everybody because even Jesus Christ couldn't do that. Life is a strange mission and it takes some time to learn how to live but we have to be faithful to ourselves first. Identity is what prevails when everything else is stolen from us. It keeps us alive in times of solitude and misunderstanding. It helps us to carry on. Well done (7)
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Child Slavery (acrostics)
by Meena Krish (4)

Meena, I don't know where to begin, such a sad sad thing, child slavery... this is a subject that doesn't seem to get much attention and yet there is so much of it in this world, I wish the governments would wake up and open their eyes and put a stop to this. Children are supposed to be happy and carefree, not used and abused. Your words are very heartfelt and I thank you for sharing this piece with us. (4)
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Poem: Called to Worship (VI)
by Joseph J Breunig 3rd

I am not too bothered about religious poems. I fear too many read like something you have to sit through in church every Sunday when I could be out playing baseball or something more useful.
But, this is different, so for that reason I detest it.
Because it just flies in the face of my statement above. It would sit perfectly in a church service but strangely I liked it. It answers many questions. It poses many questions. It starts really well with a reminder that we are not perfect. It rhymes well without any hint of being forced. It sticks to its subject without being overly emotional. The flow is beautiful.
A great tightly written piece that I would normally dismiss as drivel.
Well done Joseph (4)
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"Perfectly Polished" by Hannah Lizette

I loved this poem from start to finish, the use of the exact shade of polish being stroked onto the willing nails...and then the description of the attention to detail from head to toe was a great lead into the message...of how the author refuses to smear her quality mascara by crying over him, but rather will just this once, mourn the loss in shades of black on fingertips that will quickly be repainted in a brighter shade (of the future.)

I loved the slight somber mood that turns positive at the end. (4)

Thank you for the comment judge, and Thanks once again Chelsey for being super quick getting the results posted.

Congrats the winners and other HM's :)

Well I know the site switches winners at about 1030 a.m so I like to be ready!! LOL You're welcome!

Congratulations winners and fellow HMs.

Thanks for the vote & thanks to those who nominated my poem.

Judges & Chelsey: thanks for your faithful carriage of duties.

Congratulations to the winners and HM's! Wonderful poems, and thank you judge for the comment :]

Congrats to the winners & HMs! !
Also, thanks so much for my HM! It's truly appreciated. :)

Now that we have privately congratulated each other for the active members have bestowed on us . I am sure that the other poets will join me in thanking every for making this site possible . That you for putting my thoughts on the from page . Though frankincense smells sweet I pray this will not be seen as simply blowing smoke or as my other great friend my say cheeky attempt at wearing the gift of humility like a crown of thorns or gold

To the HM's I am sorry if I did not mention you all but time has its advantages
Expect an in depth comment from me for what that is worth

Congratulations to the winners and HM's.
And thank you to the judges, and those who have stopped by to comment, it is most appreciated, and I am honored to have been featured with two phenemonal writers. IMO, of course. =)

Congrats to the three winners, (I had to smile because I voted for all three of them)

and the hms...

Thanks for this, pleased that the first half decent thing I wrote in nearly a month received some recognition.
Well done also to Michael and Cara.
Of course congrats to HM's as well and thank you judges.

Congrats and well done all involved!

Congratulations Winners and Hm's.. well done everyone!

Congrats to the winners and Hm's. Thanks for the Hm and the comment..appreciate it.

Congrats Winners and HMs:)

Congrats to the winners and hms. All good poems.

To Mike/mods..I loved this poem...you know I nominated it but...don't we have a ruling that says we cannot capitalize our titles? Maybe the divine intervented here but....I was told to remove a title that I had in capitals so....I have to bring this forward....taking nothing away from your poem or your win Mike...just looking for clarification?

^ now that is weird. I've never heard of that rule and I use to be a judge. Haha!... I hope that rule is no longer implemented because I don't see what it matters if someone capitalizes a title or not, my goodness, who made that one up? Haha

Congrats, winners and HM's. Thanks to our panel of judges and Chelsey, keep up the good work!

Still a rule, though I'm not sure why. It's been around since the dawn of PnQ.

Michael either needs to edit his title or we need to edit the rule. I'm all for the latter. I forget why we've been enforcing it for so long.
Then again, maybe other mods can remember a reason for having the rule that I'm currently forgetting. I'm feeling a bit rusty these days...

Congrats winners.

Probably something to do with your poem standing out more than others.

^^Probably something to do with your poem standing out more than others.

That was the reason given to me several years ago when judging and when people in our club used all caps. The explanation was that all caps called attention to a poem and was not fair to others. It was to discourage calling attention to your work.

EDIT: It was also a "rule" not to use all caps in your name as that too called attention to you.

Hmm....you people are so smart, now I actually like that rule! makes sense! :)

That is exactly the way it is written in Janis' terms & conditions at registration:

"Do NOT write in the TITLE of your poems requests for COMMENTS and/or VOTES. Do NOT use any SPECIAL CHARACTERS to make your title stand out.

"Do NOT submit texts in CAPITAL LETTERS.

"Your poems and quotes must be related to the CATEGORY you have selected.

"Do NOT submit texts on the subject of PORNOGRAPHY, VIOLENCE, or overly OFFENSIVE texts. EROTICS and/or PROFANITY should be submitted only in the category of EXPLICIT POETRY (if you are under the age of 18, you must have parental consent to post and/or read texts in this category).

"Though there is a fine line between erotic and porn, for the integrity of this site anything submitted referencing binding up, forcing sexual acts, and lewd or degrading comments may be classified as pornography. Some instances may be taken on a case by case basis

"Submit each text only ONE TIME. Do not post your poems in discussion forum."

Holy cow, I haven't read those since 2004 haha. Thanks for reiterating