Contest Winners- February 18, 2013

Here we are again, these weeks sure come fast!

Congrats to our front page winners and to our Hm's!!

Tears of a Clown
by Ah satan 666- 10 + 7 = 17

Introvert, Endothermic
by Sibyllene- 10 + 10 + 7 = 27

The Midnight Hour (Shakespearean Sonnet)
by The Huntress. - (10)

HM's:

Redefining Perfect
By Chelsey (10)

Home, Land
by: Noura (7)

I was Tinder
by Xanthe (7)

Reverent
by TJ Arizona Eagle (7)

Witching Hour [Tanka]
by Rusheena (4)

Father
By Silvershoes 4 + 4 = (8)

Valentines
by Noura (4)

Naked Mind
by Everlasting (4)

WINNER COMMENTS:

Tears of a Clown
by Ah satan 666

This poem would be a nightmare to read for those who have Coulrophobia, but I had to overcome this in order for me to see how epic this poem is. The title itself stroke an image in my head but also intrigued me to want to know more about the story behind it. And what is it that would make a clown cry? What is underlying message that the writer wanted to deliver?

You started off the poem with this sad image that sometimes people would have to pull out a smile in order to show others what they might want to see. Little do they know about the person behind that happy mask, little do they understand what lies beneath all of that coverage, that this disguise maybe be hiding a weakness that other fail to understand.
"Through the reflection
of a pain of glass...
the facade has become complete."
^^
Those lines just confirm that the inner thoughts and inner feelings of this person has been completely concealed. That now he is only and outside image.
And the face that others only judge the forced smile upon his face without even seeing the real face behind that; the real sadness that lingers beneath. And all the tears that he may shed only to show that he is still a human being. This poem just breaks my heart, I don't what else to say or to feel. I caught myself tearing when reading it for the first time, and it still has a deep effect on me every time I come back to read it! So people don't judge by the outside, look deeper and you will understand what the true image is all about. (10)
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Tears of a Clown
By Ah_satan_666 (7)

Oh what truly lies behind that colorful mask... this is so so sad... people never seem to take the time to see what really lies hidden inside others, all they see is what is on the outside, the mask that we put on each and every day, the one with the perfect smile, but if they only knew... what an amazing, descriptive, thought provoking story. The writer has a beautiful way of drawing the reader in and feeling the words. The rhyme and flow was wonderful and made for an easy read (7)
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Introvert, Endothermic
by Sibyllene

This poem didn't tell me the story of an introvert, it SHOWED me the story of an introvert, something I found compelling to say the least. I thoroughly enjoyed the crisp details within every image, in my opinion slightly alluding to the personality of the persona: the way she's more likely to observe others rather than interact with them. I must say that I thought the first two stanzas to be rather stiff at first glance, but upon further reading I grew fond of the everyday scenery and the way they could confirm so much of the persona's loneliness. The last three stanzas made it for me, though. Such predictable behaviour for an introvert yet the writer made it especially sad, for loneliness seems to ooze within every image. I must also note that the line "I / paused the television and / watched frozen expressions / until they went dark." was cleverly written, adding some heartfelt spice to the overal atmosphere. All in all, a well-constructed poem, with effective repetition of the word "today", making the described situations sound almost mechanical/routine-like, as if the persona has even become numb to her own introversion-induced sadness. For sure worthy of its 10 points, glad this poem came into existence with such spark. (10)
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Introvert, Endothermic
by: sibyllene

I am breathless after reading this. It's a bit abstract yet so unique that I am pulled in, scene after scene. To me, it's almost like I am seeing the different sides of this character,
explaining what went on in the day but doing more than that- paying attention the details, the things that you see and feel on your skin others may not. I felt like I was watching a story be unraveled piece by piece, each a reflection, methodically going through a list of what was done, but noticing the lack of interaction, excitement, energy, desire....I admired how the poet portrayed quirky little things that added up and made this piece even more captivating, it adds to the lonely state this character is in, even if she doesn't realize it herself. The ending was stunning. It really hit me when the poet wrote "that was quieter than if it hadn't existed at all"...that shows to me this methodical routine from this stoic person that people may not even know really exists as a person. Brilliant title, it was intriguing to me that endothermic means characterized by absorption of heat, to me that meant that this person believes that this introverted person has become immune to heat, nothing can produce heat or energy anymore and all the causes of it are kept inside, hidden. Wonderful work! (10)

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Introvert, Endothermic
by Sibyllene

Interesting title to begin with, but I didn't get the second half of it. Why Endothermic?
Now the poem itself, I find the amount of details added to it is perfect. You gave the reader a sense of who you are and of how the surrounding are to you. To others those things you did were half done, like you were getting ready to go out then when you did you never spoke to no one. Then you went ahead and made dinner but you never wanted to taste what's it like. I like the kind of contradictory ideas and action you had, gave the piece a lot of originality. And the part where you mentioned the TV
"I paused the television and
watched frozen expressions
until they went dark.
"
^^
There was something about those frozen expressions that made me think so deep about this poem, hence, this was my favorite line.
And you ended it perfectly, just so quietly, but what you don't know that this poem actually spoke beyond its written words. The emotional part that drove this piece was strong enough for anyone to feel it. (7)
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The Midnight Hour (Shakespearean Sonnet)
by The Huntress.

I have been judging for a few weeks now and this is the best poem I have come across to date. I am nowhere near competent enough to be able to say whether or not this is a correctly written sonnet. All I can say is that it flows beautifully. There is immense imagery throughout and the rhyming scheme is spot on. As a stand alone poem this is a lesson in poetry. It is a sad reflection that only one member has nominated this....probably old fashioned, it is a form which seems to be sooo yesterday!!!
I love this, once my stint is over not only is this poem going into my favourites, but so to is the author and I look forward to reading more of your stuff.
Awesome, awesome poem. (10)
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HM's:

Redefining Perfect
By Chelsey

The poetess has described Mother Nature and love all in one breathtaking write. The opening stanza had me hooked and I could picture everything, the colors, the trees, the water, the couple and I could hear the sounds of the waves crashing and the cawing of the gulls and I could smell the salt in the air and coconut... so many memories this write brought back for me having lived in Florida for most of my life... I could tell the writer felt and put so much passion into creating this masterpiece... (10)

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Home, Land
by: Noura

The emotions are rooted in every word of this poem. I love how the author didn't just describe injustices and the physical aspects of a society that is broken....the author delved much deeper into this, especially with "I know there's a twine of wind whistling in the ears of a lonely lover". The effect of this piece is quite profound. The emptiness is so tangible and the way the author seems to be inside this building, inside this city yet looking almost into the inside of these tragedies, for what life has become here. It's incredibly sad, the image of fugitives and people not knowing what the next day will be. So much spirit has been taken out. That last line stole my heart, I simply loved how the author crafted those words, using "stillborn" is such a heart-wrenching image and nothing any o f us want to hear, but this character knows, has something stronger than a feeling that this is how it will come into existence. Incredible poem. (7)
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I was Tinder
by Xanthe

Well done on lingering in the heat, the metaphor was quite consistent and effective, not too abstract, easily grasped. You've got a nice balance of abstract vs concrete imagery. There's a subtle sense of destructiveness and seductiveness that makes this piece even more powerful along with its clean-cut wording. (7)
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Reverent
by TJ Arizona Eagle

This is poetry perfection, (unfortunate that a sonnet was lingering the same week, otherwise this would have scored 10)
Anyhow, TJ shows us all how to write a nature poem that radiates peace and tranquillity. The very first line sets the scene well and it is nature filled bliss from there on in. Everything is given just enough detail to paint a beautiful scenic piece. It is also a great eye opener to what we take for granted each day in our busy lives. My only wish was that it was twice as long, it is one of those poems you do not want the ending to arrive. Great write. (7)
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Father
By Silvershoes

This is heartbreakingly beautiful and had me crying, the loss of any person is sad, but a father is a girls first hero, she looks up to him, he can do no wrong and he is there to guide her and protect her, its so hard to move on when he is gone and all we have left are our memories, but we try to be strong just like he taught us to be. The opening lines of this are so powerful and continues throughout, it speaks volumes about the love she has for him and the lessons learned and how much she misses him. Very well penned (4)
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Father
by: Silvershoes

The emotional ties in this piece I felt were indescribably moving. The relationship between a father and child is something I know can be complex, because if he walks out of our lives or if death takes him, it seems our life does not have foundation anymore. I loved the sincerity in how the poet wrote directly to her father. Beautiful, true words that had me nodding in the end, praying that this distance is not what will endure. I was especially touched with the author talking about the strength her father taught her, "until I learned to sail my ship", beautiful imagery. Really provoking references to time also, that he gave all he could to you but it wasn't all he promised because there had to be a real end. All you now want is to remember him and never be in dangering of losing sight of him or forgetting his lessons... A very nostalgic piece, enjoyed this immensely. (4)
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Witching Hour [Tanka]
by Rusheena

What a great little tanka, a good tanka is a poem that appears to be saying so much more than at first glance. It is almost like this is a poem stripped right back to using only those words that matter. I also enjoyed the hint of darkness that crept in. Plus there is a smidging of alliteration thrown in for good measure. This is like a tinderbox of imagery exploding through every syllable. From the great opening line describing the moon to the final line that gives it its dark twist. Great Tanka Rusheena and worthy of 4 points at least. Well written. (4)
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Valentines
by Noura

A short but impacting piece. It's flowing/rhyming/repeating with ease and words like "tipple" add to the poetic allure. Another secret to this piece is its raw simplicity, containing little gifts such as the line "my poetry can't move you anymore" (it surely does). Just a bit uncertain about the ending line, a bit too vague (and may I say a bit too contrasting with the sadness of the previous lines?) for my taste. Overall, still a petite masterpiece, though. Well done. (4)
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Naked Mind
by Everlasting

I have read a piece from your once that had the same kind of idea of manipulating the words, and it still amazed me on how you do it. You pick a certain word and insert it into different situations that link back to one another but still make a perfect sense when really understood. I have to admit I did read it more than once to capture the idea you were trying to deliver and I loved it. (4)

Congratulations!! to all winners and HM's :)

Congratulations Winners and Lovely Hm's this week!!

Well done judges and hugs to Chelsey!!

Congratulations winners & HM's!!!

Congrats!

Congratulations to the winners and HMs. I see the site broke a tie fir third place.

Thanks judges & Chelsey

Wow thank you for the comment, I was not expecting it.

And congrats to the winners plus Hm's.

Thanks for the comments, judges. It doesn't always suck being an introvert - just when you start feeling blue.

Additional congratulations to Chelsey for having such a gorg profile picture.

Lmao you're too funny sibs!!

Thank you! :)

Oh yeah btw thank you for my HM!! I loved that poem, inspired by a pic of a boardwalk!

Congrats everyone :) and thanks for the HM

Indeed it is a beautiful picture, Chelsey.

Thanks for the honorable mentions. For those who are concerned, my dad is alive and healthy. It's a poem written for if I lost him, nothing more.