Contest Winners- June 3, 2013

Hey all! I'm back after a nice needed vacation :) Thank you Colm for filling in!

Congrats to this weeks winners and Hm's!

The long scratches in us
by Karla 10 + 10 = 20

Unborn Hero
by Hannah Lizette- 10 + 10 = 20

Modern Hearts
by Poet on the Piano 10 + 7 = 17

HM COMMENTS:

Phronemophobia
by The Queen- 7 + 7 = 14

Tears of a Warrior
by Tara Kay (7)

Almost
by Tara Kay (7)

Bloody Little Bird.
by Linda Leavers 4 + 4= 8

Moon dance
by Henry (4)

Blue Print
by Hannah Lizette (4)

The Union
by Real Meaning (4)

WINNER COMMENTS:

The long scratches in us
by Karla

There is something about this poem that I enjoyed and that has to be the conversation given from the poet to some one else or to herself. Though, that's exactly what I can't pinpoint whether this is meant to be said to someone who is in rehab or if towards the end the content is an inner conversation.

There are many words
in my distorted mouth.
Many unreachable words
waiting to be cuddled,
embraced, touched.

^ this has to be the part that I like the most as well as the ending.

The ending, it's the one that makes me believe that this was told to someone. And to some degree it makes me think that the poem may be about a couple who never really were a couple but they had feelings for each other. I liked this piece. (10)
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The long scratches in us
by: Karla

The beginning is powerful, let me tell you I can feel the intensity in the air of how the character is feeling, even just touching the surface, the author has much deeper meaning behind the lines I might never grasp, it's very personal. I love how you state the facts. I think in a stressful situation where we feel trapped, if we can say in our heads, over and over again, what we know, what is present, we can be calmed down or at least assured we have control. In this way, it's a reassurement that this is true. I liked your specific of bringing in Buddhism, how this has affected this person you are speaking about and it's a starting point for them to build on to heal. There is such a desire the author is expressing when saying this person grew inside her, and maybe showed her the bigger meaning of life, opening her heart up.... the inability therefore, further on, to find that again in the present moment is terrifying. I really feel in the next few stanzas that the author has somehow distanced herself from reality and this person, wishing she could not, but not always knowing what's a dreamy part of her past and what she now has to come to say. Wow, that ending gave me shivers! I absolutely love how you placed this final thought in the poem with saying, stuttering, how you cannot find these things that existed because you and this person's relationship never did. A moving, thoughtful write through and through. (10)
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Unborn Hero
by Hannah Lizette

I can't begin to describe the overwhelming emotion that came over me with this poem. Poetically speaking it had everything.. emotion, descriptive, creativity.. but it had something so much more that I can't really begin to imagine. The quote she added by President Reagan at the end solidified the tears streaming down my face. Such a powerful poem.. I'm speechless. She penned it perfectly -- we so often think of soldiers as the old men we see at Veterans events.. without realizing that those men we've buried are not grandfathers, but sons, husbands, brand-new fathers. My heart breaks for this poem. Overwhelming. (10)
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Unborn Hero
by Hannah Lizette

In my opinion, this is the best poem in regards to our fallen soldiers that I have read in a very long time. I give Hannah props and applause for such an elegant, tasteful, and respectful poem. This poem is one that should be read on memorial day, and everyday as a reminder of the caring and unselfish gifts that our soldiers give us every day ... Touching piece!

It is also very unique and creative, which is why I chose it as my Ten point poem, it has a flow that sings, with a beautiful word usage and creative flare.

To me, the entire piece is enchanting from start to finish, but this stanza here left me in tears.

"His future wife caressed
the scent of him between
her hands,
tracing carved marble
like she was doodling
his name with hers
along an endless line."

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ This is what I mean by such a unique poem.. this stanza here highlights the beauty of this piece to a tee..

Beautiful and touching poem!! (10)
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Modern Hearts
by Poet on the Piano (10)

What an exquisite write! The opening line instantly reaches out to me because of the truth in such a simple statement. We're all guilty of judging people before we know them, and this statement reminds me of the age old saying "never judge a book by its cover" and yet we do so anyway and will most likely continue to do so, even though we know we shouldn't.

"We are made of romance." I love this line, and I find it lovely how the author chose to describe us a whole. If only more people would take these views, the world would be a much happier and peaceful place. The closing verse is what did it for me, I thought it was simply divine. Our hearts are indeed what make us and drive us and it is our hearts we often follow.

This poem brought out such a contented feeling for me when I realised that some people do still think like this instead of constantly judging others when there is no need to. It promotes hope, and in such an elegantly crafted way that is brimming with pure imagery. Amazing work as always from Mary-Anne. (10)
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Modern Hearts
by Poet on the Piano

MaryAnne has a creative angle all of her own, and this is why I adore her poetry. This piece here is absolutely beautiful!

The starting stanza is the heart of the piece-

"We check out humans like they are library books,
browsing past their skin with retinas made for
archeologists and not jobless people."

It's very true- We do treat humans like library books.. I never thought of it that way until I read this piece. That is why I adore this piece so much, makes me think beyond what I normally would.

The message is very expressing and life gripping.. I can't say enough,
powerful life poem at it's best! (7)
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HM COMMENTS:

Phronemophobia
by The Queen

This poem holds so much imagery it's just absolutely gorgeous. The beginning of the poem is so interested, especially the part about the hem of the dress, and uneasiness.. very creative. I can't quite wrap my head around what the poet meant but I instantly thought of waking up from a dream that she didn't want to wake from. The morning brought her this ill-feeling because whatever was in her subconscious was much better. The whole poem felt of daydreaming.. so wistful and meaningful, but also very sad. I would love to hear the interpretation of this poem! :) (7)
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Phronemophobia
by: The Queen

I have never in my life heard of the fear of thinking, and I really had to contemplate on this piece about what the author is saying. I think it was perfectly expressed in a unique way the flow of thoughts, sometimes quite random, that overtake our minds, and even if we try "by force", they still remain there in remnants. What I understood from this piece is that the author is stepping out into the crisp morning air, and like the start of a new day, is trying to move ahead, and not think back and remember this "you". I also think she is noticing details around her, the way the wind and air is almost exuding power, and the more she ponders about it, the more she'll be at the hands of it. I loved the ending of moving ahead from that haze, that uncertainty in the air that could cause her at any time to stop and remember. Intriguing piece! (7)
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Tears of a Warrior
by Tara Kay (7 points)

I can't help but to fall in love with this poem more and more each time I read it. We see so often on here poems about giving in and life becoming too much that it was nice to see this because of it's uniqueness in the way it was crafted.

"I could face the battle without a shield, but letting myself go...That was the warrior's betrayal." This was what spoke to me emotionally. We are always our own worst enemy, we tend to see flaws in ourselves that often don't even exist but are imagined only by ourselves. Our mind is the most dangerous enemy of all, especially when locked in a raging battle with itself.

"because the tears of a warrior, signify giving in." I adore this line. We are taught that crying is weak and that we shouldn't succumb to it and this statement further strengthens that widespread mis-belief. However, tears do not signify giving in, but are sometimes needed so that we can take a step back and begin to heal ourselves from the inside. Beautiful and thought provoking. (7)
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Almost
by Tara Kay

--- This poem reminded me of "the road not taken" by Robert Frost. I think it was mainly due to the mention of a road.
But what I like about this poem is the honesty and the image that I get when I read it. At first I was unsure about the randomness of the three parts of the poem, then I grew to like it. I have to say that the last question got me intrigue. Do you know who you are? I mean base on the poem, it seems that Tara -almost- has an idea of who she is. I enjoyed this poem. (7)
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Bloody Little Bird.
By: Linda Leavers

I quite enjoyed the metaphor of the cardinal, as that would not necessarily have been the first bird in my mind, and I like how you give the specific. When I look at cardinals, I think of joy and brightness, I really don't look into the color resembling crimson or blood.... But you have definitely sculpted a cardinal that is fatigued not only by her past but by the weariness of the world around her. I liked the visual and helplessness I feel immediately from the line about her closing her eyes in hopes the vulture doesn't see her.... already, I want to hug and protect this sweet little bird. I also thought the structure was simple but effective in this poem, how "illogical" had it's own lines then how the last few stanzas were broken up. In a few lines, her whole life and heartbeat is taken, and it shocks me how sudden this moment is, how she can't fight back, how she emotes nothing. A neat, sorrowful piece that you bring alive with that one question of why we matter. (4)
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Bloody Little Bird.
by Linda Leavers

I hesitated voting for this for two reasons. The first being that it speaks to me on a personal level and I was unsure if I could remain unbiased, and the second because of what it represents and signifies. I eventually chose to highlight this poem because nothing but good can come out of this topic being addressed and for it to get the attention and understanding it so desperately needs.

I thought the analogy of a cardinal was creative brilliance, especially combining it with crimson to signify the self inflicted pain. "and she shuts her eyes because if she can't see the vulture, he can't see her." This tears at me emotionally. It has an almost bittersweet taste to it and reminds me of a two year old playing hide and seek. He/she will close their eyes because if they can't see, nor can they be seen. It reminded me of innocence, and immediately followed with "illogical" makes me think on the loss of innocence, and in such a brutal way.

The following lines, I found to be just as powerful as the rest, and it is true that so many people often think "I don't matter, why should I?" We need to stop adhering to that silly thought and begin realising that every single person does matter. This was such a moving poem. (4)
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Blue Print
by Hannah Lizette

The first stanza oozes sensuality and sexiness. Tousled is a word that instantly makes me think of between-the-sheets action lol. I love the use of elbowroom here in the poem as well, I felt it was an interesting way she wrote it but also very creative and fun. It's a great way to describe.. that act. The second stanza reminded of the scene from Titanic in the car... with the handprint. I love the way she penned this. The ending was the only part I took issue with.. I wasn't fond of the "faucet of my soul".. I liked the faucet metaphor but not so fond of the soul. With how creative this piece was I felt that was on the cliche side. I really adore the sandpaper idea as well, such a contrast to the rest of the poem. (4)
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Moon dance
by Henry

Henry is a new author to my eyes, and I have to say he crafted a breathtaking nature piece. The flow was elegant, and descriptive.

Throughout this piece there is a scattered rhyme scheme, not sure if the author intended for it to be that way, but its very fun to pick it out, and I find that very unique, which is why I chose this poem to be highlighted.

The word usage is enchanting and melodic; such as- "Ballerina, mystical, orbs" are just a few of the eye catchers in this piece, and to create a moon poem with elegance, those are perfect word choices. Beautiful nature piece by Henry (4)
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The Union
by Real Meaning

I can't find the words to express what's going on in my mind.
I fear that I may ramble and get nowhere, so in summary I think this is about relationships.
And how often times we get trap in the zoo of the view of the partner and we forget our own view, because we have no more view for others other than for that someone. And when the relationship is over, there is no more zoo, there is no more amusement. Though, every time I read this poem I get something different from it, sadly I can't gather a concrete thought to share it, but I see beauty and thoughts sprout from reading the rhyme scheme and the content. well done(4)

Congrats to all the winners, and HM's,
some really good pieces highlighted this week.

Thank you for both of the HM's, was not expecting it, but Thank you to the judges or judge for the comments.

and Thanks Chels again for doing such a great job.

Omg, thank you so much judges for the win and HM!!! Honestly made my day! <3

Congrats to all!!! :)

Thank you judges so much for the win! I was not expecting that at all and it made me smile... it's a huge honor to share the page with Karla and Hannah as well!

Congrats winners & Hm's!!!

Thanks so much judges. I am glad I am sharing the front page with two great poets.
Congrats HM's.
Congrats everyone!

Good choices. Congrats to winners and HMs.

Thanks judges & Chelsey.

Thank you judges and Chelsey!!! :)