Contest Winners- July 15, 2013

Hello all. I'd like to take a minute and say thank you to our 5 judges that have just finished their last week judging. We appreciate your commitment and your job well done!!!

Congrats to this weeks winners and HM's!!

WINNERS:

Confessions & Heartaches
by Senyru- 10+ 10 + 7 = 27

Catacomb.
by Poet on the Piano- 7 + 7 = 14

On The Mountain
by Slighte- 10 + 4 = 14

HM'S:

Renewable Resource
by Hannah Lizette (10)

The Warmth in her Cold days
by Lucero L (10)

In the Attic of the Past
by Wild Flower(7)

Reflection
by: The Huntress (7)

Settling
by: Tara Kay (4)

In the Attic of the Past..
by Wild Flower (4 points)

Lifelong Punishment (Huitain)
by Meena Krish (4)

Reflection
by The Huntress (4)

WINNER COMMENTS:

Confessions & Heartaches
by: Senyru

What a stunning poem! I love the development of your thoughts in this piece, the emotion you portray very vividly, and the beauty of this tender love. These were some of the most memorable lines to me, especially with the metaphor of the rose that I think can often lose meaning in it's overuse:

"I contemplated if your thorns grew
from tragedy or merely as a preliminary defense. Even so,
I'd risk the prickle of a thousand thorns.

I was caught in the beautiful tempest that ravishes within you."

- The risk of this is very tangible, as well as the chance you could give your heart away and break through her wall as well. It's like there is a true innocence in the rose but also a downside, that you have to learn to trust and just get past the thorns.

I really believe you didn't just write a poem but you crafted art. In every line I feel a certain sadness, maybe recklessness, the true awe of love, and you expressed that carefully to convey different emotions.

The ending is not what I expected yet it leaves the reader thinking this may not be the big finale, that this imagined love may become reality as long as you still care for your heart, and wait for that moment. It seems so innocent yet a bit frightening, especially coming from the line of "I was never much of a dreamer", and now your heart has dreamed of this love. Very heartfelt poem with a deep aching in this confession. But it's something the reader feels sympathy for, as I think we have all taken ourselves away from reality even subconsciously. It's soul-shattering to be woken up for that, especially a love that was supposedly so pure, but that it's to be found anywhere now.

Incredible voice in this gem! (10)
------------------------

Confessions & Heartaches
by Senyru

I like how this piece was broken down into four parts and also how each part held something that made it stand out. I particularly like the third part the most. I love the creative way of using the rose and the thorns. How Senryu compared the beauty of the rose with this person but what I liked the most was how Senryu arrived through the realization of why an innocent rose could bear thorns through looking at this someone. and I thought that it is through wonder and comparisons that we arrive at realizations, isnt that sweet? I wish to say much more and highlight each part of this piece but the poem speaks for itself. The ending was not expected, but it clearly shows that someone liked to play with fire. Great job (7)
-----------------------

Confessions & Heartaches
by Senyru

Initially, the length of this made me hesitate a little before beginning to read as I often find that several longer pieces of work slowly lose their power and meaning as I get further on into the poem. I was pleasantly surprised to discover this wasn't the case with this. On the contrary, I felt this became better and better as I progressed.

I adore the stand alone lines between each verse, read together it seems like they could make up another beautiful verse on their own. The beauty in this poem dazzles me, it really is magnificent and striking.

The closing line was unexpected, being so short I half expected the ending to be somewhat lack luster because of how detailed the other parts were. Again I was pleased to see that wasn't the case at all. In fact, I believe that this line holds as much power as the rest of the verses combined.

It's been a long time time since I read anything that captivated me so much and I thoroughly enjoyed this fine piece of art. (10)
-------------------------

Catacomb.
by Poet on the Piano (7)

"Sometimes I wonder if I'm only good for keeping my face expressionless,"

Wow. What a fantastic opening! So much meaning and emotion in this line alone that I can't help but to be instantly hooked into this poem. I find this line so true, we all put on a facade at some time or other, we're all guilty of hiding our emotions and thoughts and this captures that so perfectly.

"Why can't my speech flow like the verses of my poetry?"

Easily my favourite line of the poem. I believe this is something many of us can relate to. In our writings our deepest thoughts become unravelled and are left on show for everyone to see, but to merely tell another person our deepest desires or fears strikes fear into most of us and is something many of us find incredibly difficult to do.
--------------------------

Catacomb
by Poet on the Piano

"The picture in MaryAnnes mind that she used as a footnote in the bottom of the poem was truly inspiring, and she marked it well within her poem here. "Why can't my speech flow like the verses of my poetry?
I am the farthest from grace but when the moon
unveils its age, my hands unfold themselves and
write,"

I'm a huge fan of her poetry, so I can only imagine knowing how wonderful her words are that it isn't the same when she speaks -- these words are always so carefully placed and well thought out. I also love the part about being farthest from grace, and the moon revealing it's age is really a beautiful thought and image. I love how her metaphors truly come to life like no other. I've read this poem over and over and get a new and different feeling every time. Truly, truly wonderful!" (7)

-------------------------

On The Mountain
by Slighte

This poem's voice speaks directly to me. I like how I can relate this piece to life and how thought-provoking this write is, not to mention that it's enchanting. There are some stanzas that stand more to me than others for example:

" After everything happened,
I used to lie awake in the dark
and look up at the stars, praying that I
could somehow become like them."

--- This is a nice introduction. It draws the readers attention right away. It allows for the reader to continue reading and also to wonder about the mystery of the stars.

"Some stars are so far away that they could
have died years ago, and no one would notice.
I thought maybe I could understand them."

" The stars don't sing for me anymore,
but sometimes on the mountain,
I dance slowly for them anyway.

(And sometimes, on the mountain,
I feel myself burn that bright.)"

---- There's so much that I can take from this stanzas and it's not just the imagery but I in one part can see this poem in the life category because the stars could stand for friends or people who over the time set distance between a relationship, or I could just take it literally and see the stars as something symbolic. Either way, I love how peaceful this piece is yet kind of nostalgic and I understand why it may have been place in the miscellaneous category because one can interpret it in many ways, yet this piece can touch many when reading it. Well written(10)
-------------------------

On The Mountain
by Slighte

"and look up at the stars, praying that I
could somehow become like them. "

I love this. This creates such a beautiful visual in my mind of the night sky and yet at the same time I picture someone emotionally broken, wishing that they could change, whether it be something about themselves or within their life and it creates somewhat of a paradox for me because of the conflicting visuals and emotions I feel from this.

"Some stars are so far away that they could
have died years ago, and no one would notice. "

This. I love this. Oh my word. How can so few words create such powerful emotion? I have no idea and yet I am completely awed by this. When I first read this line I had to stop, go back, and read it again. And it made me think on how true this is, and something we never really consider.

Personifying this, I can also assume this can be related to my earlier visual of someone broken, they died inside but nobody has noticed yet.

"(And sometimes, on the mountain,
I feel myself burn that bright.)"

I love this. The poem to me, so far, has touched on a melancholic tone, but this: this leaves me with a feeling of hope. That you -can- burn brightly but without ever diminishing. That you -can- shine and that you are worth everything and more.
Lovely poem. (4)

HM COMMENTS:

Renewable Resource
by Hannah Lizette

"This is one of the most emotional and heartbreaking pieces I've read in a long time. My thought automatically takes me to the subject experiencing a death, and while I've never experienced it in this sense, I felt overwhelming guilt and grief. The images of wearing the shirt and ciggarette butts just hurts to read. It really reminded me a lot of the movie PS I Love You. I really like the structure here as well.. usually when you get so into detail in the emotional side of a poem, you can lose the poetic devices, which is definitely not the case here. The ending here is what really solidifies the pain for me. So many people propose, every single day.. but it'll never hold the same meaning here. How could it? What a beautiful poem!" (10)
------------------------------

The Warmth in her Cold days
by Lucero L

I can't begin to express the power and beauty of this piece, but I'm going to try!

Lucero has crafted a fine, and impressive piece here. The beginning stanza took my breath away with her play on words, the elegant twist of sees and sea, blending Ocean... just made me speechless, this poem deserves to be highlighted. The Message is a touching and heart wrenching look at a serious, dark and sorrowful moment in a womans life... I felt so many emotions within this piece that I cried.

Lucero has crafted a very tasteful, artistic, and creative poem here, VERY IMPRESSIVE!! (10)

----------------------------------------

In the Attic of the Past..
by Wild Flower

I truly admire the grace of this dark, visionary piece.

The tone is set to the feelings of emotions felt within a dark day, moment perhaps, and I can feel the scalding emotions boil within a cauldron.

Love the metaphor within this poem. Truly a dazzling, poetic gem here.

Well done Wild Flower (7)
---------------------------------

Reflection
by: The Huntress

I cannot "pick and choose" verses here that spoke to me because every single word did, like it left a tangible remnant of your soul. I admit that I, and maybe others, can hold back in poetry in the matters of penning our brokenness or our journey in realizing we may not have had reasons for it that others did. It's hard to be that open and reflective sometimes because we can be afraid of what others will comment, if they won't even try to understand our doubts or where we're coming from. I loved how your voice was genial, honest, heart-breaking and yet knowing you have made this realization by yourself and that no one has made it for you. Even if you are still caught in trying to cope or strive for acceptance/perfection/achievement, this is like a weight of your chest lifted it seems to just express it so outwardly in these words.

A beautiful metaphor about the souvenir! I imagined an often used, cheap toy from a park or something that a person grows about from.... that was only for temporary amusement, yet is not cherished the way you should be, the way memories should be. I like the contrast of "wedding" too, it shows that strong need for love to be shown, not just believed in.

I feel like, especially those last lines, were dipped in sorrow and an experience, real touch of life. Just like we can do good to others but we may not have that returned until much later in our life, treated poorly and not even human sometimes. But if we think "bad", whether that be terrible about others or about our own failings, we can drive ourselves crazy nit picking at the wrongs we create.

Such a "full" piece I really have no place in critiquing. Reading this poem fully in one sitting leaves you kind of speechless but I'm not sure if I'm close, just sharing my thoughts. I could probably write pages about what each line made me think and how deeply rooted it is in truths you've recognized and the footsteps left behind.(7)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Settling
by: Tara Kay

I really admire how you turned the whole concept of settling and turned it into such deep verses for the reader to wonder about!

"And I won't apologise for being reckless
or taking too much out of something,
I've just learnt to listen to my own instruments."

- I feel like you are now moving on from shame or inner turmoil, because you are admitting you are listening to your own heart and regardless of what others think, you are taking time to see where they could go.

Also liked how you brought in the "he can still be the ladder that I climb", kind of insinuating a relationship you are now working with because he was your foundation and still is. Even though mistakes were made.

A lively piece with many thoughts and lessons that all gave insight in this piece. I love how you open with that image of the drums and guitar and go even deeper 'til the end, more about life itself. What I received from this poem is that you are seeing the good, the beautiful in something others would disregard. You aren't "settling" in this situation because you believe in this person when others may direct their critique toward you. You are holding your opinions up. Interesting! (4)
-------------------------

In the Attic of the Past..
by Wild Flower

"In the Attic of the past" I could see everything that was told. I could also hear the howls and squeaks surrounding this someone. I like how "poison-like-potion" makes me think of a witch. This poem has this haunting tone and atmosphere that I just love. In so little words, Wild flower took me to the past of this someone; to the memory that rest in the attic and that perhaps has been there for so long. Well written (4)â ¨

When I first began reading I was unsure what the poem in its entirety was about and then I got to the note at the end. That coupled with the line "I mutter,"I surrender"..." killed me emotionally. We all suffer being judged at some point, we are guilty of judging others ourselves too and we never really stop to focus on what this does to each other emotionally. That line alone made me think on how someones judgement could negatively affect those people that aren't that strong emotionally and what consequences could potentially happen from this.

A beautiful, thought provoking and moving write. (7)
----------------------

Lifelong Punishment (Huitain)
by Meena Krish

Meena, is the queen of formed poetry in my opinion! I have read several pieces by her, and this one stands out for me.

She takes this form and wrapped sorrow felt emotion in each line, tying together the thyme pattern nicely throughout.

Truly admire this powerful poem.

Well Done Meena (4)
-------------------------

Reflection
by The Huntress

"For some reason I really love when people use the word baptized in their poetry. A refresher, a rebirth, a new period in their life. Being baptized by reality is a really interesting thought, because so often we get slapped by it and brought back to the real world. This way it seemed a little more gentle. Perhaps through the reflection and this time period the character is going through, they were able to find a new birth in the reality instead of being smacked into it. I love reflection poems because I feel it's a healthy dose of therapy, and this definitely felt that way for me. I could go on and on about this piece but I will just say it's well deserving of the front page :D" (4)

So I'm officially all done?! Wahoooooo! :)

(I was a judge, in case you didn't catch on :D )

Thanks Chels, mods and all who participate in this. I know it can feel time consuming, boring, frustrating and fun all at the same time.

Good luck to the next batch of judges!

Thank you so much judges for the HMs it means a lot:)

Congratulations Winners and HMs!!

Thank you judges and Chelsey for the hard work:)

Yes indeed we are Britt xD

Thanks Chels for putting up with me and my scattered-ness! (it's a word now.)

Good luck to the new team!

Thank you so much for the win! I'm honored to share the front page with slighte and Senryu, and I also noticed we're all 18! Congrats to them and all the HM's....... I was a judge as well so thank you Chels and other judges for the hard work.

Good luck new judges! :]

This judging period finally came to an end, it was a unforgettable experience. Thanks Chelsey for being so patient and to the other judges too for their hard work.

And thank you so much for the Hm!

Congrats all and well done.

Beautiful Poetry everyone! Congratulations to all the winners and Hm's.

I was also a judge, thank you Chelsey for putting up with me :-) It's always an honor I take seriously and enjoy doing it when needed <3

Now that all five judges have outed themselves, I'd like to HEARTILY THANK
Andrea
Britt
Jenni Marie
Luce and
Mary Ann
for the smoothest tenure in my memory.
(No jokes about early dementia, please.)

Lmao you all did have some errors, but I definitely have patience for you because when I first judged and first hosted I messed up a ton! so youre most welcome. Thanks so much for all your work.

I loved the 10pm texts on Sunday night 'uh are you judging?' Followed by some words I cant post here (by me of course) haha

Lmaoo!!! if it happened one more time there was gonna be some not so nice words by me.

so new judges, I need your phone numbers lol lol im jk

Congrats to the winners, all three poems are wonderful reads.

A big thanks to all five judges, your dedication week after week is really appreciated. Same goes to you Chels.

Thanks for posting all your fantastic comments on my poems, judges. You were great and showed impeccable taste.

Good luck to the next lot.

Congrats Winners and HM's :)

Thank you for the HM :)

Congrats all!

Thank you judges for all your wonderful comments!!! as well as my latest HM! <3

Ahhh thank you!! And congrats to the other winners and the HMs. Stunning as always (:

Thanks heaps to the judges and Chelsey for your weekly dedication and effort, you guys are awesome.