Contest Winners- April 8, 2013

Good morning all! :)

Weellllllll Let me first state, that I just made my first mistake as a host and I whole heartedly apologize. Due to a busy weekend I did not have a chance to double check the votes, and there is an error. So so sorry, I feel awful :/ If I get fired, I understand.

Secondly, I believe we are still looking for a fifth judge, hence why you'll only see 4 judges votes/comments present.

I apologize once again you guys :/ Here are the correct results.

Where Wild Violets Grow
by The Queen-10 + 10 + 7 = 27

Pussycat
by Real meaning- 10 + 4 = 14

The Elevator Gang
by The Huntress- 7 + 4 = 11

HM's:

Diner at 4 am (10)
by: Colm

Can a poem ever die?
by Amreen (7)

Make Believe
by Chelsey (7)

Unearthed
by Lisa marie (4)

Oh Weary Heart (sonnet)
by Baby Rainbow (4 points)

WINNER COMMENTS:

Where Wild Violets Grow
by The Queen
I hesitated voting for this to begin with as it left me in awe and I was originally unsure where I should even begin with my thoughts on this wonderfully beautiful poem, so bare with me whilst I try to rationalise and process the thoughts that I was left with after reading this.

First of all I really adored the title, such a simplistic one and yet one that already makes me want to dive into the poem just because of the imagery that is created within the title alone.
Upon reading the poem itself, I found I had to read it several times as the first time or two I was left completely speechless and yet I found myself enjoying it more each time I read it over.

My favourite part of this would be how the author uses such a simple vocabulary throughout and yet manages to ooze emotion and meaning from the beginning until the end. I believe everyone could find this poem very relate-able, to me it seems the author is speaking of the place she now considers home yet without it being her original hometown.

I found it to subtly state that the author has now made her own roots and foundations, and to do so with such profoundness and captivating elegant imagery throughout. (10)
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Where Wild Violets Grow
by The Queen

Where do wild violets Grow? Just as implied in the introduction of the poem, they grow anywhere in a partially shaded area and in a moist soil. This piece is compose of two well constructed ideas. One where the author describes the foreign land where now resides, and two where the author gives an insight into what many call home, however, it is not where the author grew up yet the author may feel like it is since everything about that land exudes a certain familiarity. What I like about this poem is the conflict the author experiences. The reader can feel the author's dilemma of whether to call it home or not, and if it is addressed as home, then the author's heart would see it as a betrayal. Patriotism comes into play but what's one to do, after all, a home isn't exactly where one grew up but where one feels comfortable and most importantly a place one loves just as that wild violet, it may have grown in another land then moved to another similar soil to where, from now onwards, it will continue its growth. Very well done. (10)
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Where Wild Violets Grow
by: The Queen

It's easy to fall in love simply with the title, and it automatically gives off a sentimental aroma, a place that gave birth to beauty. The ease and flow of the author's voice, especially concerning the opening lines, immediately is soothing and gentle. I feel as if I am sitting down at a fireside, never having been to this land, but being told it with almost a dreamy expression. I also get the notion whenever this author comes across roads that are just shy of twilight, they can reminiscence as if they have walked these roads, breathed on them.

The author's connection is the poem brought out a soft longing that makes me ponder where I have come from and what others view it has. I smiled at this line: "I learnt to love the peculiarities, the oddities, and the nonsense of this land,". There's a bond here, and it reminds me even objects or surroundings we might at first say we have nothing in common with, eventually it holds a small part of us, it becomes familiar even if we cannot come to understand it. What a nostalgic poem with such a beautiful presence! (7)
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Pussycat
by real meaning

One of the many things I truly admire about this poet, is his ability to make his poetry sing like a painting, and with this piece he did that and more.

I love the freshness of this nature piece, its vibrant word usage is enchanting, and when you read this you can't help but dance. The word usage and very creative rhyme pattern throughout the bulk of this poem was very interesting to the eye, and a very fun read.

The nature of this poem screams spring, with the details of "moon", "lagoon" and "cocoon".
I actually felt a Shakespearian touch to this colorful nature poem.

This piece had a tongue twister feeling to it, but when you read it, it's not confusing or hard to read at all in my opinion, and it radiates like a song... just beautiful!

One of the many things I look for in a poem is outside the box creativity and this piece has that and much more! Truly a must read! (10)
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Pussycat
by Real meaning

The poem "Pussycat" is one of those poems that incites the reader to think, but it also asks for a little bit of more punctuation ( I know the author decides on how to arrange the poem and how much punctuation to give, but I feel giving a little bit more of commas will ease the reader's understanding).

I cannot say that I understood this poem entirely; however, I like the image, the assonance, the rhymes and the personification implemented within this short write. What I like the most was how I pictured the pussycat jumping over the moon, and how she realized it was her hair that noon had gathered together to make her cocoon with the hair she had left on midnight ( see how the author personified noon, as well as, the narrative skills used to make the reader picture the pussycat on the moon).

I also liked the use of " the moon was a mirror lagoon" because I usually picture the moon at night, but I am aware that the moon can at times be seen during the day, and the used of lagoon makes me picture the moon reflecting on water. And if I am not mistaken the moon is kind of like a mirror that reflects the sun's rays, so the moon may be visible during the night and during the day depending on its position. Sometimes it has to be with the alignment of the sun, and the earth.. perhaps that's what the author meant with " swaying on the swing of a tune."

In this particular piece, I feel the focus is on the crescent moon, not just because of the line " a crescent of silver blooms" but because of how I picture the cocoon like the crescent moon where the pussycat rest and also for the use of "festoon."

I find the ending a bit confusing as I thought the author was describing what the moon was.." a mirror lagoon... a cocoon of afternoon... a crescent of silver blooms... and a festoon to attune the parallels of noon and moon... <-- so ending with moon was somehow confusing but I feel that it may have been a reference to night. The parallels of the night and day perhaps, and the use of "in the parallel of perplexed of now and soon" could be that one doesn't expect to see the moon at noon..? it's semi confusing. I may be so wrong on my interpretation and I'm probably over thinking, but I feel this poem deserves to be highlighted. Specially for the imagery that it has. The pussycat resting on the moon as her cocoon sways reflecting over the lagoon.

Great poem, it has a melody. I gave a 4 because I feel it needs some more punctuation to make it easier for the reader to understand it. (4)
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The Elevator Gang
by The Huntress

After reading this piece, I don't think I will ever see elevators as elevators anymore but more like a jar of pickles. See, some people like pickles others don't, and I happened to be one of those people who don't like pickles nor elevators so excellent simile( not just because I don't like them but because the simile served its purpose accordingly but also it approaches the reader and allows them to give there opinion). This short piece is an excellent example of brevity and how combining the right words can deliver an image and still leave the reader wondering: "how did the author came up with this creative write?"
I gave this poem a 7 and not a 10 because of that last line "trying to ignore the itch of my tongue," I can't put my finger on what it means, but mainly because, when I read the poem several times, that line felt out of sync with the rest of the poem, it felt kind of like rushed. I hope to continue reading pieces from this creative author. Well done. (7)

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The Elevator Gang
by: The Huntress

It's an honor for me as reader to come across a poem that takes me for surprise and denies expectations I may have within me, whether I realize it or not. There was definitely thoughts that were provocative as well as bold that gave this piece color, and something I hadn't thought about before. I love how this poem pens what this gang is, and the un-comfortability the character goes through while standing next to them. There were so many senses unleashed in this poem, it was like nothing I've read.

I can imagine these words written in ink on paper and somehow dancing across the page, making a scene. The simile of the freshly jarred pickles was magnificent! Never in my life have I heard of anything being compared to a pickle and yet the author states this simile so bluntly and honestly, it immediately gets my attention that this is not your everyday meet inside an elevator with commonplace people. I liked the character's almost perception of these men, having this ability to clearly see the truth of their life, the "sleepless, sex-deprived nights" they may struggle through. The creativity of this piece should be brought to attention. I just am in awe of each and every line and how much they made this moment stand out and feel real. Well done! (4)
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HM COMMENTS:

Diner at 4 am
by: Colm

I feel there could be so much said about this piece, but I can't do it justice in expressing such a vivid, lively poem. From reading this, I am inspired to write more brevity myself and not take for granted the power it can instill in the reader just by showing them something and not necessarily explaining it... I think it's wonderful when a long poem gives off emotion and imagery and an author can openly give each detail, but sometimes I feel when there's an underlying meaning, I am more curious at the end. Almost like there is a cliff-hanger. I only get a sneak peak of what is making the author tick, so maybe I can infer his situation.

I loved this one scene I had stuck in my head of the diner though. Truthfully I don't go to diners often, maybe once a year, and it gives off more spirit stating that's what it is. The yearning of this poet to acquire more space, go into orbit itself makes me think he desires to have a clean cut distance from this person, from remembering...there's also at the end just a strong feeling of exhaustion coursing through the author, as if in losing time, he has also lost a part of himself. A write that stands alone and can be read again with even more fascination and admiration. I believe the author gives nothing but himself for his poetry, and shares a uniqueness that he really owns through his writing. Fantastic! (10)

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Can a poem ever die?
by Amreen

I can't state how much I adore that one opening line. I believe we can all relate to that as poets and I find it to be so true- a poem is alive, because it's our thoughts, our words, our opinions, our emotions. It's our lives.

Whilst I really enjoyed this poem and do agree with it I found the ending to end on somewhat of a negative tone because of the way it was phrased whereas I found the previous parts incredibly thought provoking and moving.

Then again, I guess if/when a poem loses its meaning then that means that the time that the author talks about in said poem doesn't really have any meaning anymore, and this could be taken both positively or negatively depending on which part of a person's life was losing it's original meaning, so looking objectively and without knowing more detail I could take it either way.

What I do love is how the entire poem is worded and how it makes us question and really think on things, as of course to a poet a poem will always be alive at the time of creation and will be something unique and meaningful to each writer.

My only complaint is that I would have liked to see more imagery throughout as I believe this would have added even more emotion to a wonderfully penned piece. (7)
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Make Believe
by Chelsey

I can't express how much this piece dazzles, with creativity, romance, nature tones and even a touch of sorrow, no wonder it is in the miscellaneous section, because it's jammed packed with several genres.

A heart seeking love of another from afar, perhaps a crush, the soul needs to write, for the words may not be able to be expressed to the person at this very moment, so here is where touching and heartfelt poetry is born.. Chelsey has written a heartfelt piece from the soul! This poem has hope, dreams, wrapped in each line. The reader can't help but feel with this poem.

The visual displays of nature, example: city, oak trees, dock by the river, seagull's and ducks.. This poem has it all, it's a mouthwatering visual piece.. I like to see when I read, and I see tons in this poem.

Elegantly crafted, a beautiful read by Chelsey! (7)

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Unearthed
by Lisa marie

I've read this piece several times now, each time I take something else with me from this poem.
Lisa Marie has penned a poem filled with strength to overcome obstacles, and survive a sad time in the message of the poem perhaps. I like the nature metaphor given to enhance the feelings within this piece.

I get the feeling she is talking to a spirit perhaps that has haunted her steps in life, or maybe that of someone who needs to be kept in the past.

True elegance and simplicity in each stanza, however a soft touch of visual detail that brings this poem life.

To me: What greater form of life and inspiration, than that of nature, and then to add a life message of survival, is truly wonderful in my eyes as a reader. Very nice!! (4)
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Oh Weary Heart (sonnet)
by Baby Rainbow

I am always in awe at those that can pull off a sonnet and make it look ridiculously easy when they do so, I find myself even more in awe when a sonnet seems to flow effortlessly from one word to the next and melds together so perfectly combining the syllable count, content, flow and imagery, and this poem does just that throughout the entirety of it.

I really like the use of "weary heart" as how many people can relate? At times life bogs us down, or overwhelms us and we just want to rest, we grow tired, and we want our heart/mind to listen and believe what we tell them, and yet it isn't always easy to believe the things we so often tell ourselves no matter how much we try or how often we state these things to our self.

I found the only thing I didn't like very much was the use of "and, I, you, but" etc at the beginning of some of the lines, I realise this was most likely in order to allow the author to keep to ten syllables per line but I felt that the constant use of filler words such as these started to ruin the impact of the poem overall and believe that with a little rewording this could really be a truly great sonnet.

That being said, I see this is the author's first attempt and for a first attempt I believe she did a commendable job. (4)
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Congratulations to all.

Chels, I see the fraudulent vote that put Amreen's poem on the front page instead of the Huntress'. I share the blame since I got caught up this weekend as well.

We are still looking for a substitute judge, but it was a different judge whose computer is in trouble that had to abstain. The departing judge was kind enough to remain one extra week.

Congrats Everyone.

Congrats winners & HM's!

Congrats to all

Thank you so much guys I appreciate.

Thank you and congrats to all the other winners, too!

Sorry...I've only now had the chance to read this so..Chelsey tells us she has made an error this week but does not elaborate on it so...we are left in the dark...Larry comes along and makes it even darker with the "fraudulent vote" statement so...what exactly happened?

It would appear that Amreen's poem should not have been on the front page but....that's definately not her fault....I see this poem is no longer on the front page and I can't see it listed on her account now so....I'm assuming she was so embassarred that she's taken it down....not really a good senario as it wasn't her fault and...whatever comments she had on it are also gone now...like to know some real answers as to why this happened...I know there was a new judge being scouted but it's also being stated that the departing judge stayed on for this week?

I have stated my error thank you very much, I didnt double check the votes. Thats where I personally went wrong, as well as Larry. We both had a busy weekend and didnt catch it..the votes were wrong....I didnt realize every time there is an error I have to go into full on detail as to what happened, but now I remember Nana use to be harrassed for not throughly explaining as well...my bad....

Larry what was it you called them?? Reader votes? Site votes? I forgot what they are called, but somehow extra votes are added to a poem without any judge doing so. All other votes were accounted for, yet somehow Amreens poem had
27 points on it which put it to the front page.....

This has happened a few other times, call it a glitch if you will, I still do not understand how random votes can appear, but Larry and I usually have to take care of it before Monday. In this case, neither of us were able to get to it :/

Hellon knows how the votes occurred; she was one of the four members who brought it to our attention. I think she was asking how we let it slip by us, since we knew about it.

I have no excuse and owe Huntress my apologies.

Amreen was honorable and deleted her poem & then resubmitted it rather than accept a false win. Whoever put her into that situation cost her a heartache & the loss of valuable comments.

When Janis returns we'll be able to track the public votes to the perpetrators. Until then we must remain diligent.

Each mod is taking turns to monitor the contest to help prevent future occurrences.

^^^

Thank you Larry...to be accused of harrassment was uncalled for IMO....I was uncertain if the initial problem was still ongoing and really didn't want to mention what it was exactly....that was all.

I didnt blame you for the harrassment...I'm just saying i remember she was several times over her hosting period when things went wrong.

thanks Larry!