Weekly Contest Winners 4/11/2013

Another week, more winners :) This week the honour goes to Hannah Lizette, Euterpe and Meme to see their names on the bright lights of the PnQ front page!

'Y,' by Hannah Lizette was an exploration of the intricacies of the letter, question, shape and philosophy of the simple and oft' used syllable. The biggest question in the judges minds would have been 'why?' if this slice of creativity hadn't graced the front page.

'At Peace' by Euterpe was a poem both about nature and human nature, a literal and metaphorical piece that makes the reader bow their head like the moon against their own lilac sky in gentle wonder at the excellence it contains.

'When he's not a stranger' by Meme, a condemnation of romantic lies, is a poem that you don't have to listen too hard to hear the soundtrack of heartbreaking regret that surely makes the reader think of a trembling voice of their own.

Anybody who hasn't read them yet... what are you waiting for?

Thanks to our judges who as always provided their extensive knowledge and invested their time to pick their favourites this week.

Congrats also to hm's: Larry, Hannah Lizette (again!), Maryanne and Night Flyer!

Comments:

Y
by Hannah Lizette

This is such a well written poem as well as very creative. I love it how you were able to create such meaningful words out of a simple letter, and although the letter Y represents different things each time, all of the stanzas and their ideas seem to be incredibly well connected. It takes an incredible skill to be able to come up with a poem like this, extremely well done, it's really a pleasure to have the chance to read such poems.

I just adore the imagery and visuals that Hannah creates throughout this and this was really a breath of fresh air to read. I really enjoyed this and thought that it was incredibly unique and well written. (10)
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I love the journey this poem takes me on, as well as the author's significant ways of expressing the unknown. First, it is seen as a letter, one that almost mirrors our loneliness. Then, with the fork in the road, it really prompts trying something new or retreating back to old routine. Do we dare pave another path? Are we more vulnerable there? The third stanza is wonderful in that I did not even consider "Y" looking like a wine glass. Great visual there and it makes that yearning deeper. It reminds me of sitting alone at a sophisticated restaurant and trying not to see how much space is left on the table, or how much room for the person you won't meet there. Also, feel the desperation in regards to should I just leave it or drown my whole night/misery away? Beautiful inclusion with the wishbone... I never see that in poetry so that was refreshing.

I was not expecting the personification at the end to be so vivid, but it really added power in the truth that not everything is known. It makes me think we are all together in the sense that we don't always have the clean solution. Such a well-crafted piece! (10)
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Clever! It drives me nuts when people just write "Y" and I let go of that pet peeve to appreciate the art of your poem here. I thought this piece was really interesting, clever and unique. It has a few cliches (fork in the road for example), but it has a lot of new ideas rolled into it. I love the part about the wishbone donating hope - great use of 'donate' there. This poem is another poem highlighted this week that is very relatable - it's just one of those things we all do - ask why? Why do things happen? Sometimes it does seem like life is playing a sick joke and comes back with slaps in the face.. but I love that there is also a slight sense of hope in this poem. This is really awesome! (7)
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Absolutely loved the creativity this poem displayed. each stanza held such good visuals and the topic was so unique that the ending stanza really leaves the readers like "whoa"..very nifty idea, I like how you used it. I like that this tone was irritated with just a simple letter. ..everything was drawn together perfectly. Well written. (4)

At Peace by Euterpe

What a BEAUTIFUL piece of nature poetry!! The imagery is so jam-packed within this poem and is so breathtaking, that it truly is what made the poem for me. I'm in awe. I love the country feel I get when reading this, with lilacs and fireflies in a jar... that bit was probably my favorite just because the familiarity. This poem rings in such a sadness, someone who has possibly physically left this world.. the closing breaks my heart but warms me at the same time, because I know it makes the poem relatable. I think this poem can be taken in a few different ways, with the environment or with someone passing who had a fond love of nature/the way of the outside world. This poem is just such a beauty and I do hope it gets highlighted. (10)
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The beginning of this poem is so beautiful! Very pretty imagery, I can picture it. I love the nature in this piece because I think it does a very nice job of masking the sadness. It brings beauty to death and the beauty really overwhelms the reader. I felt like this was an elegant, soft toned poem..this may not make sense to say but it just "reads pretty"....I really can't exaggerate how much this poem exemplifies the beauty in death, but I think you completely nailed it. Amazing. (10)
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Second stanza: "clutch" should "clutched".
Your simplicity in the imagery is calming and put me at ease. I also feel reverence while I am reading this, with nature and with loved ones I have lost. I really enjoyed "lilac sky", how this person called you grasshopper (that was very endearing) and the most treasured part in my mind was the ending. This is where you tie in the symbolism of nature, how it has always been connected with your spirit, and how you are now understanding the earth has laid this person to rest. Peaceful indeed. I found this poem to be spiritual in its voice of nature.(7)
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Comment: Something new to read after long. Memories and the pain which it brings along, the happiness it carries is truly a mixed emotion. I like how the poet has blended nature so beautifully with memories. The imagery is so soothing yet a pain is struck in the air due to the loss of a loved one and the long lost words, happiness shared with them comes along. Nicely worded and a spectacular piece. (4)
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When He's Not A Stranger
by Meme

Comment: Flawless! The poet has done an incredible job in writing a poem which gives out so much of heart-felt emotions. I am pleased with the bits of old memories of love and the sudden happiness they emote. Also, the maturity and depth in the poem is terrific! "Heartaches are unfixable"- what a beautiful use of the sentence in a perfect place within the poem. It gives more volume to the poem. Indeed a cleverly-worded poem written by an experienced poetess. An Inspiration! (10)
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I really love this poem, extremely the juxtaposition between the butterflies she felt at the very beginning when they first met and the bitter reality. All of those images that you've created are extremely sweet and poetic, and the harsh meeting with the facts is something that's so unbearable for the poet that, by the end of the poem, she gives in to her sadness and lets it out magnificently.

"Liars are those who told you that it's better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all" as the poet preludes to her total melancholy, after a well thought of pause by the poet, anticipating one single strong statement, the cry of the heartbroken poet that regrets having had to go through such a heartbreak, because after all, he will never be a stranger. Good job. (7)

Another Saga by Hannah Lizette

Comment: I am amazed at the style of writing of this poetess. She really has a good flair for writing such wisdom within small bits of words and still engaging the reader to imagine a deep story which unfolds through the stanzas. The line which states that time is my lover does impacts the read and adds more appeal to the sadness. I need not explain how the poem was worded, for the emotion spread across is enough. Very well written. (7)
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I appreciate the quickness of the lines here. It made me read it in a quickened.. yet.. slowed.. pace? I don't know if that makes sense, but I "rushed" through the lines, with a long breath in between. Time as a lover, what an intriguing way to write this poem. I love the second half of the poem and felt that was the strongest. The opening lines were interesting but I felt they lacked.. something. I can't decide what yet, but it felt lackluster compared to the last half. I do like the image of apologies on the walls of hearts -- abstract art coming my way! (4)
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Moonlight
By Maryanne

I loved the uniqueness of this write. Being inspired by instrumental songs and turning it into poetry is clever when you write something random like this. I liked the echo in certain lines. It was a nice touch to the poem. ", and flannel sheet where I can close off the hours that the world is reusing."... That line is incredible. Nothing more to add to that. Very different write and it's refreshing to see such random inspiration, a form of art (music) inspiring more art (poetry)..great write.(7)
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Field of the Speaking Stones by: Larry Chamberlin the Godfather

Did some research on this after reading! Actually found an article concerning folklore about these stones... this was really intriguing especially regarding how these stones were said to cure evil, or that through which evil consequences came. I never have heard of people consulting stones as well, so that was interesting and something very unique to write about. I always find it fascinating to read poems like this, as well as what stories/legends are passed down and have meaning to people. You definitely painted the scene for the reader as well as showing a tradition one may not have heard of before. (4)

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Autumn Sky
by NightFlyer

This is a really rhythmical poem and its very good rhythm perfectly matches the constantly changing images reflecting the bliss of what the autumn sky represents for the poet.

I really like the idea of bliss that you were able to convey and some of the words you've used are amazing. What strikes me in this case is the vivid imagery you have created, it is like a continuous flow of images and the atmosphere that they convey is simply amazing.

I also have to give you credit on the fact that you have also made it rhyme, so congratulations to you. On the other side of things it feels like the rhyming has somewhat limited you. I can see you have got some great skill from this poem, just the extremely vivid and poetic imagery that you have created along with the rhythm (and the syllables) is something that is difficult to put together, as often the rhyming can end up cliche, so when I say that rhyming limited you it wasn't intended as a criticism.

I think that putting this together isn't really easy at all and perhaps you have been too ambitious, which is good anyway as that always leads to further improvement. In any case, well done. (4)

Thanks to the judge who wrote the comment on Speaking Stones. Actually, I embellished the story my mom told me about them: Traditionally they were said to answer your questions, but someone asked the same question twice and they've been silent ever since. I felt they could provide a more sacred duty.

Thanks to Colm and the judges.

Congrats to the winners & other HMs.

Ahhhh! I'm so excited lol. Thank you so much judges for your absolutely amazing comments! <3 also thank you to Hellon for nominating Y and Redangelwings for nominating Another Saga!!! :)

Congrats to all!

Your welcome Hannah. Thank you judges :). Congrats to all the winners and hms this week.

As sad as this sounds, I've never won any type of contest before, so this is quite exciting! Thank you judges for the wonderful comments, it's much appreciated. And thanks judge number three for the correction in my second stanza. (:

Congrats to the others winners and HMs too.

Congrats to the winners & all HM's!! Thank you judge for the comment, appreciate it.

Congratulations Winners & HMs:)

Amazing poetry this week!

No thanks to judges because my name isn't any where in this. How dare you!!
It seems nobody doing his/her job right without my name being included. By the way I am tiered of all these fake compliments and thanks.

Congratulations!! Is is really April, 11 or was it November 4 or just an odd way to write the date. I am OLD and am easily confused. LOL

Time doesn't affect your true youth dear!!

Colm writes his date day/month/year