Contest Winners- January 21, 2013

Good afternoon/evening! Hope most of you are enjoying this Martin Luther King Day off :) Here are this weeks winners, congrats as usual to all!

Nova
by: Sincuna 10 + 10 + 10 = 30

Iris
by: Novalyn Grace RR - 10 + 7 = 17

The Kite Runner
By Amreen - 10

HM'S:

The Voyeur
by Beautiful Chaos - (7)

Conceal
By Autumn Leaves (7)

Silent Hearts
By William Mae (7)

Between you and me
by Karla (7)

Dying Houseplant (Tanka)
by: Lostlove1 (4)

"63 Notes"
By Poet on the Piano (4)

He who observed the good lady
by Kinno (4)

Who's Rose
By Tara Kay (4)

Salem
by Maple Tree (4)

WINNER COMMENTS:

Nova
by Sincuna

Your poem made me think of a carnivalizing poetics for its grotesque realism since its essential principle is degradation. But on the other hand the title led me to reflect on Nova - a cataclysmic nuclear explosion. Both are intriguing because they allude to chaos creating a new cosmos especially when it refers to blood and other body fluids - "the curb deluged in filth/my mouth doused in vomit/body of urine and spit/and eyes coated in shit" - which are linked to not only to death but also to renewal - "Here comes the feeling/the burning need within/to peel off my skin / shred it and feed it/ to the empty bowels /of the planet." Your choice of words is "down-to-earth and again it is explicit it is a carnivalized text. Besides, the writer side-steps the sentimentality -" Oh why do I/ swallow these endless /tragic deaths /without having/ my tongue heap/for even the pettiest/ trimmings of love?/So impassable and vamp / so supple.../yet fleeting.", showing the necessary detachment so common in literary pieces of this kind. Your poem portrays a moment of separation and if I am not correct, forgive me. However, the lyrical I seems to be either numb before the fact or used to "swallow these endless tragic deaths". Besides, if the piece really refers to a separation, it shows that the relationship was already in decomposition -" to detachment/ two phantom hands are severed". Poems like yours lend themselves to many interpretations and make the reader stop and think for a while. I applaud you. Excellent piece! (10)
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Nova
by Sincuna

The pain in this poem is so tangible. I felt mystery and a depth of sadness that cannot easily be mimicked. The scene stood out in its rawness to me, this person naked on the streets yet in a crude state, as if you have become so fed up with all around you, you physically become sick. This was an intriguing write but was overwhelmed with sadness. The poet did a fantastic job with the flow and imagery, and going deeper into an almost longing to not be at this verge of death. That hopelessness at the end, and the seemingly impossibility at a taste of love. Incredible creativity here. This place and this person leave an imprint. (10)
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Nova
by Sincuna

This piece fully deserves 10 points, It is written extremely well and tells a great story. The message underlined is really sad. There is fantastic word use throughout with clever scatterings of alliteration. The scene is set very well in stanza 1. It sounds idyllic yet the tone used proves otherwise, then as each stanza hits you the poem gets darker and the message louder. Finally we are faced with a serious of questions that leave the reader wondering. Very well written, I really cannot say much more. (For the purists I am aware there is one spelling mistake and the use of a minor swearword) (10)

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Iris
By Novalyn Grace RR

I found the language and imagery in this poem both stunning and refreshing, definitely not your average, "run of the mill" write. Each time I've read this, I get a deep sense of sorrow and possibly some regret. The "day" seems to have evoked some sad memories of someone and I really liked the use of "tenor vibrato," the suggestion of the change of pitch here really shows so much emotion and the lulling of the clock makes me imagine time standing still while the author struggles to say the words that they were never able to... I'm also intrigued by the title..."Iris" is the Greek goddess, messenger of love and this flower is a symbol of communication, which in my mind, fits perfectly with the message of this poem. Truly a breathtaking write (10)
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Iris
by Novalyn Grace RR

How beautifully written this love poem was. It was extremely expressive with the poet's adjectives yet fascinating way to show the reader a bit of their thoughts. I was in wonder at the ending lines "I carry these words while she carries you", as if you love this person who is already with another, and you've never spoken the words but you know it to be true. I love the reality of your words, how they come alive with their own movement. I was longing for more to find out about this "you", it was mysterious. Uniquely crafted, I loved the precision in which you chose your words "the wind hiccups" and "afloat by sleeping tides". It is beautiful and makes me still ponder about if you are grieving this person or remembering them as they are now. (7)

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The Kite Runner...
By Amreen

This is a powerful and inspirational write, I hope all that read this learn from it as well, be grateful for what you have. The innocence and happiness of a child, whether orphaned homeless or otherwise is precious and I love how you've touched on that, yet it's also heartbreaking knowing how this poor child lives. I could picture this little one running through the fields, giggling, looking up toward the sky watching his kite fly... and then I see him sleeping holding his kite close like another child would a teddy bear, the imagery in this write is wonderful and it flowed perfectly. This piece truly touched my heart. (10)

HM COMMENTS:

The Voyeur
by Beautiful Chaos

Your poem is a kaleidoscope of emotions and tenderness. It gave me a strange comfort because I could relate to your words a lot. The authenticity of your feelings and experience makes your piece unique. It seems to me that you suddenly discovered your (un)conscious contained life/universe and decided to give your reader the key of your existence through an elegant choice of words which are profound and intense. As reader I felt as if I knew you beyond that moment in which you shared yourself with me for the very first time. I recognized myself in you. Amazing read! (7)
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Conceal
By Autumn Leaves

I like how the author suggests looking deeper inside of her to see all the feelings and things she cannot find the words to express. She's resigned to the fact that this relationship is broken, doesn't have the strength or desire to try to fix whats wrong, will no longer pretend that everything is okay. This person is no longer her comfort zone, through her tears and swollen eyes she has come to the realization that it's over... This write is somewhat sad, but I also get a "matter-of-fact" sense of...acceptance at the end. Well done. (7)
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Silent Hearts
By William Mae

The title drew me in... friendship to relationship, I think it's a special bond if both feel the same because you know each other so well. This piece is touching because it seems one feels more than the other and is keeping it secret, but why, is it because of different traditions and cultures, are they scared of a long distance relationship or is one or both married to another, there are so many reasons why to keep it quiet... there is no harm in secret love, but why not tell the other, share your dreams who knows they may feel the same... this is what I feel when I read this piece. I love the word choices as well and it flowed beautifully. (7)
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Between you and me
by Karla

What Karla does well with this poem is the fantastic indulgence of imagery. There is so much going on that you have to read this 2 or 3 times to really stand any chance of understanding what she is saying. I think the potential double reference of pluto is very clever. There is real darkness throughout this piece, 'freezing blood' and the biting of the umbilical cord. What really stands out for me is the conflict throughout. Is it a love poem? Not sure when even in the final stanza hate rears its ugly head. Great Write Karla. (7)
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Dying Houseplant (Tanka)
by Lostlove1

While reading this tanka, I envisioned a lone corner of someone's where a plant stands, trying to survive. The comparison here to a girl/woman was very provoking...I really love how the connection between the plant's need of sun and water and her need of love. That "will of life" is something I feel born inside us. I think we all want to thrive. But something happened or maybe she just grew too tired of life, that made her give up the fight. Strong images and the poet writes a captivating and meaningful formed poem. (4)
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63 Notes
By Poet on the Piano

I absolutely fell in love with the way the author perfectly describes how she can hear the passion with which the musician plays and the connection she feels to this piece of music. For lack of a better term, she seems to hear her whole life in a matter of moments-"In sixty-three notes, my memoir has been understood..." This line was beautiful. I loved this poem. (4)
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He who observed that good lady
By Kiino

What a way to introduce yourself to the site. You write a masterpiece and I don't band that word about that often. It reads beautifully, I love how you have your own style already. You have removed a few letters and I can ignore the capitalization, it is very oldy worldy style yet it compliments this piece very well. We always talk about imagery as if we are all experts, This is a lesson in imagery. Great piece Kiino and welcome to the site. I can imagine we will be seeing quite a lot of your poetry nominated. (4) --------------------------

Who's Rose
By Tara Kay

Mystery and intrigue... this write is filled with so much detail and you can just picture it all as you read... it does make you wonder, who is he and why was she so terrified? Makes me feel like I'm reading a novel and waiting to read the next chapter to find out if they ever find the suspect and figure out who she is. I love how she'll be referred to as "Rose" the unknown woman. This was an amazing read and it flowed wonderfully, I love it... (4)
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Salem
by Maple Tree

The Witch hunt will always be a deplorable episode in History. The total number of people burned and hung to death on the charge of Witchcraft is around nine million if I am not mistaken and Salem is a perfect example of this insanity because there was no real proof that those who were hung were followers of The Old Religion. What is astonishing is the fact that most victims were mid-wives ad healers, women in general. Jesus Christ never ever ordered anybody to kill in his name but the establishment of Christianity is a bleeding evidence of blindness, corruption and ignorance. I often caught myself thinking about people who die because of religion. How many more deaths lie ahead in this world of inflexible souls? All in all, I really liked your poem because just a few ever write about those atrocities. Most people don't even know the real motives behind The Witch Hunt. I also want to say that I loved the images you incorporated in your piece and in special the use of the" Book of Shadows" in the first stanza. Well done! (4)

Breathtaking pieces!! Congratulations to the winners and Hm's... thank you for my hm as well.. and thank you judge for your powerful comment.. it means a great deal to me..

Hugs to Chels and the judges, thank you for all that you do~

Thank you chelsey for the hard work as well as the judges.

And congrats to the winners! And Hm's too.

Thank you for the HM, wasn't expecting that at all...
Well done to all winners and HM's, thanks judges and of course, Chelsey
x

^^ditto Tara Kay :)

The judges have such a hard job to do!

Let us not forget "The Hostess with the Mostess" Chels..You are doing great. (I knew you would)

Wow.... Thanks to the judges for the beautiful comments.
Thank you Chelsey for the work:)
Congrats to the Winners and HMs:):)

Great selections for winners & PMs alike.
Thanks, judges & Chelsey!

Congratulations winners & HM's!! Thank you Chelsey for your hard work and and thank you judges for my comment! :)

Thanks for the HM. I loved it. It is not a love poem. My poem portrays a moment of conflict between a woman and her mother.

Congrats all and thank you for the HM

Ahahhaha Connie <3 adorable nickname, I love it! Thanks all, happy to do it :)

Thanks Amreen for writing about TKR haha.. Congrats all.

Congrats, winners and HM's! Wonderful job, judges and Chelsey. :)

Well done winners, some awesome poetry this week, I don't envy the judges.

Congrats winners and HM's. I appreciate the work done, Chelsey.

I would personally shake the hands of the judges if I could. You are all role models of this site, despite having no faces. It's like a birth of a new emotion to have a poem judged after a long hiatus.

I would like to say thanks to the judges, it's aprreciated.