Weekly Contest Results: 14/04/2014

Sorry i'm late. The time difference for me is always problematic, the winners make their way to the front page while I am sleeping and in the morning i'm straight off to University.

The judges had a lot of different opinions this week with votes scattered across a range of different poems. We had two clear winners and the site broke a tie between three poems all sitting on 10. Congratulations to the Winners this week and of course to the Honourable Mentions!

I want to say thank you to all of the judges who were extremely prompt at getting their votes and comments in. I greatly appreciate it. For me it means I don't have to stay up late on a uni night trying to sort out the contest and chase people up :P you guys are awesome!
-Mel

WINNERS:
Wreckage by Britt 10 + 10 + 4 = 24
Somnolent by Poet on the Piano 7 + 4 = 11
Nine by Demonicangelwings = 10
-
Pious by Dawn = 10
Equestrian Sport by Everlasting = 10

HONOURABLE MENTIONS:
Mirror Mirror by Tara Kay = 7
Lotus Blossom by Baby Rainbow = 7
Atmosphere by Beautiful Soul = 7
Sparks by Beautiful Soul = 7
Reciprocal mirrors by RealMe = 4
My thoughts would be galaxies by Everlasting = 4
Hitchhiker by Maple Tree = 4

Wreckage by Britt
This poem uses vocabulary correctly. It does not over exercise an overuse of words. It is creative and expressive. It uses metaphors and a variety of phrases that is relevant to the poem. It has an emotional impact on the reader, to me, it caught me as acts of greed. It is a very well done poem and provides the reader with emotional fulfilment. (10)

This poem is a reader's visual delight! Each line captivated me and left me speechless! Britt captured the moment to a tee with this touching and heartbreaking poem!

The detail she has written in each stanza is truly magical, I could see the vultures in the sky and I really adored the usage of polka dots: simple and detailed, LOVE IT!

I could actually smell the sorrow and see the cemetery, my heart broke for the author and for the people she wrote about.

The wording was very elegant and yet simplistic enough to hold me completely from start to finish. Breathtaking piece of poetry by Britt this week! (10)

After reading the comments and your response to the meaning of this poem, I am moved more deeply by it. I too first perceived this poem as taking place in a graveyard or being a symbol of war or multiple deaths in a city. I like the author's distinct relationship of "we" and "they", as both are from different areas of the world, where this scavenging was never needed before, and a lifestyle for the other. The senses in this piece are tangible and quite memorable. I can see the vultures and feel like I should turn away from the sight and smell. The ending is powerful as well, giving the theme of materialism and how two cultures live by different means. I feel compassion in the last line, like the author is looking on with a sort of longing that this would not be the peoples' future, that they would not have to dig through filth to merely survive. My only suggestion would be to add a bit more detail as I felt initially upon reading it was a bit vague. I like how the author didn't give the location away or say straight out who "they" were, but maybe add more specific images (like the vultures) after the second stanza? What a humbling write though (4)

--

Somnolent by Poet on the Piano
MaryAnne is very talented and left me sighing a variety of emotions with this poem.

Sorrow of winters depression holds and weighs heavy upon a soul's emotions at times, making them have a heavy heart and scared to open up to "spring".

Adore the nature tones of this very sad piece, and I took a personal look inside my own sadness. Truly and emotional poem for me to read and for others as well. Well done MaryAnne! (4)

This poem has an overuse of vocabulary which blunders the meaning of the actual poem. It is original poem with a personal touch on the seasons. It has correct use of the English language and has a relatable story behind it. (7)

This poem has an overuse of vocabulary which blunders the meaning of the actual poem. It is original poem with a personal touch on the seasons. It has correct use of the English language and has a relatable story behind it. (7)

--

Nine by Demonicangelwings
A really great poem. Had alot of imagery and the ending made you ask many questions and wonder what happened. (10)

--

Reciprocal mirrors by RealMe
This poem has a correct use of vocabulary but drags along. It is a very creative way of putting an old, traditional story which makes it more appealing to more subjects. It has correct use of the English language but lacks structure. It has a strong emotional appeal to reader by may not please all its spectators. (4)

--

Lotus Blossom (haiku) by Baby Rainbow
Beautiful Haiku by Baby Rainbow!!! Haiku's are the most elegant, small formed nature poems in my opinion and I am truly impressed with this poem. The message is the grand introduction to spring and the lotus blossom opens up, leaving winter behind (another chapter is born) Tons of detail in each line. Just a gorgeous haiku by this author, I really love it!! (7)

--

Pious by: Dawn
There is something so engrossing about this piece, and maybe it's in how the author sets the tone in the beginning. As the reader I almost feel made insignificant and stripped down to just my humanity; I can easily imagine the huge cathedral, the loneliness and haunting atmosphere it has. I like how there weren't any priests nor sermons, almost like sheep abandoned without their shepherd. There are only the people and their pleas. This poem is very sullen and I really feel like I step into this character's shoes, in an unexpected way. Almost like this character is trying to be understood... she has never believed in the same Lord as the others, viewing their blind faith as sad or foolish perhaps, and it makes me wonder if she has lost this idea of faith and prayer, or sees it as something that doesn't work. It also makes me wonder if she has had a tragic experience that caused her to question what she was taught, now trying to find the answers in the people. The images here are touching is such a sad way, especially with the character's perspective of them, like the lost children who I assume are being taught to accept the faith, and the characters feels like it will never guide them. A thoughtful, provoking piece. The ending is clever with the wording and has an impact on me. Makes me think of why the character approached the cathedral, if this was her first time, and if she has found something to make her "whole" again in her life, as there is emptiness and doubt within her. Part of me, after reading this, wants to suggest separating into stanzas, but I actually enjoy how "unbroken" the format was. It read to me like something you find in a journal, and there is this one page where the author has left an imprint. It also kept those thoughts together, like this is something the author can finally release from their chest. (10)

--

Mirror Mirror by: Tara Kay
This poem lifts my spirits up and is truly a gem. I like the unique wording of "mirror me", as it's something I've never heard before. There is such genuine confidence in this piece and hope in the future of these two characters. I always feel more connected to a piece when the author uses "we" or "us"; it seems to break that barrier between the screen and reader. These verses are simply worded yet it is in this they inspire. I have become uncomfortable with my skin before, and I know that idea of "pulling at our skin like it doesn't fit". There's also the aspect brought up about hiding in other clothes, feeling weighed down by that perhaps. This part almost reads as a lullaby to me: "Brush the stray hair from my face as I lean into you" and "mirror me, like we are the ending to a story." I am encouraged to "be brave" from this piece, and embrace reality instead of hiding away. Seeing truth as something we can learn from. Wonderful, soothing flow filled with optimism. (7)

--

Atmosphere by beautiful soul
This is such an amazing poem and it was written beautifully! (7)

--

My thoughts would be galaxies by Everlasting
This poem really had alot of imagery and was actually saddening. (4)

Sparks (Haiku) by Beautiful Soul
7 points Almost a 10, but I deducted 3 points for the use of the word 'Milky' to describe the moon. Too obvious for my taste, almost lazy and verging on cliche. I would love for a Haiku to win the weekly contest. Most people turn their noses up at this form. There are a couple of members on here that may have a bit of a whinge that a haiku even scores 7 points, but they miss the point. Every word used in a haiku should hold the same power as a full sentence. You only have limited syllables to portray a huge image that then ends in a turn. 'lush' is a great opening word. This makes you think of so many images, 'cherry' works because it tells us not only the color but hints at the texture, the taste and the vulnerability of the object. 'Blossoms' point to new life, a life cycle, something that holds strength but is also beautiful on the eye. 'Dance' a word synonymous with activity and enjoyment, also in wildlife something that is used to warn off the unworthy or to attract a mate, 'under' points to being below something in stature, to have room to grow. 'Moonlight' a powerful ever present object such as the moon, a light that calms the mood, a powerful object that controls the tide and life's cycle. 'Sparks' an erratic word that even sounds electrifying when spoken, 'ignite' links with sparks, points to the cause and the beginning of an instance. 'Inside' safe and warm, protected and out of harms way. Then we come back to that intrusive word.. 'Milky'. Almost a winning haiku. Yet I know that this writer will pull the cat out of the bag soon, I also know he will be over the moon to win the contest with a haiku and maybe leave those that don't appreciate the form, sick as parrots. (7)

--

Hitchhiker by Maple tree
According to my spell checker hitchhiker should either be hitch hiker or hitch-hiker. But spell checkers are too anal to appreciate poetry so I shall ignore its suggestion. I have judged many times over the years and almost every week I seem to find that I am commenting on a maple tree poem. I almost managed to avoid this scenario this week but I couldn't ignore this poem. Although only 4 points I believe it is worthy of an HM at least because it has been crafted effortlessly. I love the whole final stanza and that is what swung it for me this week. The middle stanza is a lesson for us all in how to write something that shouts volumes with just a few words. Great imagery and clever word choice, plus as usual we are transported into the scene that the writer has created. Again well done Maple Tree, a great little write. (4)

--

Equestrian Sport by Everlasting
This poem is expertly crafted and was the stand out poem for me by a good furlong... How it starts with the dark horse is clever, The outsider is the one we all want to win because it will have the biggest return, the whole point of gambling is to win and win big. I like how the last line is a warning, not only to those that gamble but it warns us that the horse is gambling with its life also. Throughout this write there is some clever word usage that is all very horsey. I love the 'hoarse chants' what a nice play on words. There is so much that is strong in this poem, 'benches of teeth' and 'harness joy' the use of 'clanking' and 'centrifugal'. All very powerful narrative words. Not just a poem but a great story as well. Perfection. (10)

Awesome job all and judges and mel. Thank you for the comments and hm's judges :) Also a big thank you to the judge who commented on "Sparks" That was powerful and it helped me a lot :)

Thank you so much judges! I definitely dont think this was my best write-wise, however this topic gives me so much emotion that I literally can't write it out..which is why I didn't go farther in detail. I wrote and rewrote words about a hundred times because no matter what my words don't do the city dump justice. I am so blessed and am sad it took this journey to realize how deep my blessings go.

Thanks Mel ;)

Thank you Judges, for the Hm's

both poems were actually sad.

In Equestrian sport, it saddens me, poor horses, specially those who may not have owners who care for them.

In my thoughts would be galaxies, I often get lost in those galaxies, too lost that sometimes I don't even know if I defied gravity and escaped those black holes, or if I'm still in them.

Beautiful and touching wins this week! as well as the wonderful Hm's , congratulations to everyone!

I want to say a big thank you to the judge for my Hm and awesome comment on my Poem "Hitchhiker"..

I tossed around the idea a few times to post underneath the poem why I chose to make Hitchhiker one word instead of two as it should be..

In the beginning of the poem I talk about "me" being alone as the hitch hiker: in the end It becomes 2, Me and him, making us the hitchhiker.. A play on words in my title.. :-) I really appreciate the comment and again I thank you for your kind words ~

Excellent choice for Britt. I've seen first-hand the horrors she speaks of . The hardest part is to admit you may not make a difference and yet still try.

Congrats to the winners & thanks to the judges & Mel

Congrats to the 3 winners this week, well done!

Also, excellent HM's , very varied poetry,well done to everyone.

Thank you judges xx

Thank you so much Mel and the judges.... congrats to all the winners & HM's!

Congrats winners and HM's, judges you had it tough this week, so much for you to choose from as the outcome clearly proved.

Thank you judges thank you for the win I'm surw many others probably should've won but I am glad I won a place thank you again