Poets Formed by Their Own Words - Entries

Amazing burst of entries at the end. 14 submissions with 13 separate forms. I have a panel of judges salivating to get their own creative juices going, hoping to get the judging posted by Sunday.
[EDIT: I have moved the form descriptions to the bottom of the posting. Hope you enjoy the submissions as much a s I do.]

So let the poets parade:

1 Highway Scriptures - Quatern

Depths of my soul, crave poetry
it is the bloodline to my heart,
thirsty to explore avenues
less traveled, caves of emotion.

I write of secrets, nagging thoughts,
depths of my soul, crave poetry
allowing hidden tears to shine
dropping upon a stranger's tongue.

Shadow readers become my friends
for they can relate in some way,
depths of my soul, crave poetry
and they yearn to hear compassion.

I am not alone within words
as my eyes feed upon distance,
reading highway scriptures as one,
depths of my soul, crave poetry.

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2 Synergy - Haiku

Expressions, so deep
My inner feelings, exposed
For the world to reap.

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3 Poets Reflection (villanelle )

Poetry may be reflections of immortal souls
A record of life's journey to the sacred light
Each poet has their own individual goals

We are inspired by our missions we have our roles
Most of the time future visions are out of sight
Poetry may be reflections of immortal souls

Some gravitate toward spiritual black holes
Others find substance in the light and hold on tight
Each poet has their own individual goals

There are proverbial angels as well as the mythical moles
Blindly cast out of the heaven's by Saint Michael's might
Poetry may be reflections of immortal souls

It seems to be colder in the extremes of the polls
As a wayward stranger discerns between wrong or right
Each poet has their own individual goals

The good often die young as evil doers take tolls
Though the enlightened strive with grace for a new height
Poetry may be reflections of immortal souls
Each poet has their own individual goals

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4 Poetic Ecstasy - Con-Verse

They often start as scribbles,
words through a pen that wibbles.

Dwindle and grow they do, falling,
hearing a heart and mind calling.

With an imagination they float,
allowing egos within to gloat.

Realities and fantasies alive
into worlds, readers and writers would dive.

They let us bask in the glory of the pen,
for moments, till thoughts awake in minds again.

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5 Poetry - Acrostic/Loop Poem

Perhaps I am just overwrought
overwrought or equivocal,
equivocal thoughts
thoughts or ramblings
ramblings of a polysemic mind, yes?
yes...perhaps!

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6 Stress Builds Character - Double Etheree

Flames,
cold sweat,
scorching, hot,
I endure, for
Stress Builds Character;
the ruins of my mind
laid bare, channeled: I vomit
mediocre magic broken
when emptily dancing words escape
this hollow void consuming me always;
because my meds don't always do the trick,
poetry reminds me not to hate
myself so hard that I can't breathe
when I'm chained without relief
to the ticking bombs of
this anxiety:
my breath explodes
outwards to
avoid
burns

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7 The Cookies Poems and The Crumbles - SESTINA

Poetry, you were but specks of dust on my keyboard,
crumbles of cookie Oreo next to my touch pad.
No one noticed you; Not them, not me,
But I should have seen you crumbling off the cookie
rather than let you become particles never meant to be eaten
Awaiting for the time that I would see you.

But oh how could I have seen you?
How could I have seen you crumbling off on my keyboard?
If at night, I bit bit by bit my Oreo.. It was meant to be eaten.
I was enjoying its taste to notice you fall next to my touch pad.
I wanted to enjoy the whole cookie.
That's all I wanted, for the cookie to be eaten all by me.

But oh it was not meant to be all for me.
No, it wasn't. At least, not you.
Really, I didn't want to eat all of it in one bite, not the cookie;
So I bit bit by bit until it crumbled down on my keyboard
until it crumbled next to my touch pad
where the crumbles became particles never meant to be eaten.

And until those particles never meant to be eaten,
slid into the orifices of my keyboard's keys. They hid from me.
They distanced away from my touch pad
just so I could not see them, just so I could not see you
hidden underneath the keys of my keyboard
making me think that I had eaten the whole cookie.

But oh Poetry, you were the crumbles of the cookie;
you were the particles never meant to be eaten
so you hid in the orifices of my keyboard,
Just so that you could become invisible to me
Just so that you could wait till the time I could finally see you
until I could finally Feel you, in the keys, but not in the touch pad.

For if I had seen you and feel you in the touch pad
I would have thrown the crumbles of the cookie,
I would have thrown you...
to the trash can, for you were particles never meant to be eaten
at least not by me.
And now, I can finally feel you underneath the keys of my keyboard,

Not in my touch pad. You were the crumbles never meant to be eaten.
You were the part of the cookie that was meant not to be for me
Hence, you crumbled off the cookie to clog the keys of my keyboard.

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8 "My Words - Nove Otto"

Stories written from memory.
Dark stories written to set free
this heart torn apart with malice
with my words that portray lost hope,
and a fragile soul which won't cope
ignoring pain inside for bliss.
Because reading between the lines,
forcing my pen to write and rhyme
helps ignore the loss that I miss.

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9 Addicts Anonymous - Form: Free Verse

Hello, everyone.
Let's say my name is Charlie.
I'm not an alcoholic.
Not a drug addict.
I'm a liar.

I am the worst type of liar.
I lie when nobody else is watching me.
I lie when nobody is there to listen to me lying.
I lie to myself.

And last night I relapsed.
On poetry.
Hard.
Injected myself with Pantoums.
Snorted sonnets.
I was even up to my ear in rhymes.
I was f*****g seventeen again.

See...
I had this idea to write a poem.
From the perspective of a pen.

I haven't written a poem with a pen in years.
I was typing about being a pen.
That's right, typing.
About being bled dry.
Bled dry after another stanza.
After another 10 syllables.
After I found something to rhyme with 'light.'

Jesus Christ.

It was bad.
Enough that I convinced myself I had no problem.
See, that is the absolute worst thing about this.
I can convince myself I have no problems.
That everything is ok.
Will be ok.
That I don't love her.
I was a factory of lies.
Sorry, correction -
I am a factory of lies.

I had been doing pretty well.
But I guess I needed this.
In a way I'm lucky.
Words can be the cure and the cause.
I hope I can do better.
I hope that isn't a lie.

You don't need to hear more of the details.
I do.

And that's me, honest.
As you may have seen it was a struggle to get here.
I hope I can come back again.
Nearly as much as I hope I won't have to.
But I think I will.
I always do.
I always do.

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10 Inspire - Double Tetractys

I
pray that
the writers
of tomorrow
will spread the ashes of my poetry
into the nook of their misread hearts and
whisper blessings
to the clouds
I call
home.

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11 Transformation - Kyrielle Sonnet

I've lost the ability to
write on a whim, I cannot do
the melodic lines once performed
my words held captive and transformed.

My heart makes no sense of this wrong
no boundaries created for long
scribblings done on paper deformed
my words held captive and transformed.

Breakthrough is coming, this I see
poetry flowing within me
phrases released, subjects now warmed
my words held captive and transformed.

I've lost the ability to ...
(my words held captive and transformed).

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12 It Started (Acrostic Poem)

Impregnating the mind
Triggering the creation of a leaking depression baby

Searing apart the soul with the agony
Transgressing from today to a life time ago
Arranging memories
Repeating the poison deep inside
Tragic was the start of a gift
Eternity is all that's left
Daring a pen to move on paper

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13 Preying on Tribulation - Nonet

Words are vultures that latch onto a
thirsty heart, scavenging through the
conscious emotions; they thrive
off of decaying souls,
realizing remains
can subdue death -
and I, wear
ink to
live.

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14 In our Marriage - Acrostic

In our marriage you are an empire and I
narrate the territories you invade.

Our vows were written in the marrow of my ankle,
ungodly the way our bones would graze and you still
reenact those nights.

Months passed without you so I deleted every snippet.
Asked for you in prayer over a bowl of minestrone and spilt
ravioli on notepads you once wore. When the anesthesia
rejected, I looked for a place to keep you homely,
I tried to store you in Cornell's collections
and resuscitate you by greeting the 99c
garage sales and perfumes at the mall. In our marriage
every memory is a theatre and every moment a war.

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The Forms:
1 A Quatern is a sixteen line French form composed of four quatrains. It is similar to the Kyrielle and the Retourne. It has a refrain that is in a different place in each quatrain. The first line of stanza one is the second line of stanza two, third line of stanza three, and fourth line of stanza four. A quatern has eight syllables per line. It does not have to be iambic or follow a set rhyme scheme.
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2 Haiku (also called nature or seasonal haiku) is an unrhymed Japanese verse consisting of three unrhymed lines of five, seven, and five syllables (5, 7, 5) or 17 syllables in all. Haiku is usually written in the present tense and focuses on nature (seasons).
The 5/7/5 rule was made up for school children to understand and learn this type of poetry. For an in depth description of Haiku, please visit the Shadow Poetry Haiku, Senryu, and Tanka section. There is much more to haiku than the made up 5/7/5 version.
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3 A Villanelle is a nineteen-line poem consisting of a very specific rhyming scheme: aba aba aba aba aba abaa.
The first and the third lines in the first stanza are repeated in alternating order throughout the poem, and appear together in the last couplet (last two lines).
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4 The Con-Verse, created by Connie Marcum Wong, consists of three or more 2-line rhyming stanzas (couplets). The meter of this form is in syllabic verse.
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5, 12, 14 Acrostic Poetry is where the first letter of each line spells a word, usually using the same words as in the title.
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5 Loop Poetry is a poetry form created by Hellon. There are no restrictions on the number of stanzas nor on the syllable count for each line. In each stanza, the last word of the first line becomes the first word of line two, last word of line 2 becomes the first word of line 3, last word of line 3 becomes the first word of line 4. This is followed for each stanza. The rhyme scheme is abcb.
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6 The poetry form, Etheree, consists of 10 lines of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 syllables. Etheree can also be reversed and written 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
Double Etheree: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10, 9, 8, 7, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
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7 "The sestina is a strict ordered form of poetry, dating back to twelfth century French troubadours. It consists of six six-line (sestets) stanzas followed by a three-line envoy. Rather than use a rhyme scheme, the six ending words of the first stanza are repeated as the ending words of the other five stanzas in a set pattern. The envoy uses two of the ending words per line, again in a set pattern.
First stanza, ..1 ..2 ..3 ..4 ..5 ..6
Second stanza, ..6 ..1 ..5 .. 2 ..4 ..3
Third stanza, ..3 ..6 ..4 ..1 ..2 ..5
Fourth stanza, ..5 ..3 ..2 ..6 ..1 ..4
Fifth stanza, ..4 ..5 ..1 ..3 ..6 ..2
Sixth stanza, ..2 ..4 ..6 ..5 ..3 ..1
Concluding tercet:
middle of first line ..2, end of first line ..5
middle of second line ..4, end of second line..3
middle if third line ..6, end of third line ..1"
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8 The Nove Otto poetry form was created by Scott J. Alcorn. It is a nine-lined poem with 8 syllables per line (isosyllabic). The rhyme scheme is as follows: aacbbcddc.
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9 Free Verse is an irregular form of poetry in which the content free of traditional rules of versification, (freedom from fixed meter or rhyme).
In moving from line to line, the poet's main consideration is where to insert line breaks. Some ways of doing this include breaking the line where there is a natural pause or at a point of suspense for the reader.
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10 Tetractys, a poetic form invented by Ray Stebbing, consists of at least 5 lines of 1, 2, 3, 4, 10 syllables (total of 20). Tetractys can be written with more than one verse, but must follow suit with an inverted syllable count. Tetractys can also bereversed and written 10, 4, 3, 2, 1.
Double Tetractys: 1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 10, 4, 3, 2, 1
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11 A Kyrielle Sonnet consists of 14 lines (three rhyming quatrain stanzas and a non-rhyming couplet). Just like the traditional Kyrielle poem, the Kyrielle Sonnet also has a repeating line or phrase as a refrain (usually appearing as the last line of each stanza). Each line within the Kyrielle Sonnet consists of only eight syllables. French poetry forms have a tendency to link back to the beginning of the poem, so common practice is to use the first and last line of the first quatrain as the ending couplet. This would also re-enforce the refrain within the poem. Therefore, a good rhyming scheme for a Kyrielle Sonnet would be:
AabB, ccbB, ddbB, AB -or- AbaB, cbcB, dbdB, AB.
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12 (see 5)
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13 A nonet has nine lines. The first line has nine syllables, the second line eight syllables, the third line seven syllables, etc... until line nine finishes with one syllable. It can be on any subject and rhyming is optional.
line 1 - 9 syllables
line 2 - 8 syllables
line 3 - 7 syllables
line 4 - 6 syllables
line 5 - 5 syllables
line 6 - 4 syllables
line 7 - 3 syllables
line 8 - 2 syllables
line 9 - 1 syllables
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14 (see 5)

Well done PnQ!

I really want Oreos now...

Oreos: the original Formed Cookie

Seriously? Has no one any feedback on these wonderful poems?

Last time I gave feedback on a poem before judging was out I got my hand slapped, saying our comments could influence judges lol

I agree with Britt...

But at first read, I like the liar. On other thought, I too want Oreos. Is the double etheree counted as two forms?

Edit:
the acrostic/ loop poem

I'm jealous.

I agree! The liar poem just stood out best for me. It's just different..
Great entries!!!

Ouch, on second read, poem 3 grabbed my attention.

I feel the judges are going to have a hard time judging these entries...

These are great poems

Creative and wonderful poems! The free verse is definitely my favorite. Great job to all that participated.

Such a joy to read through these! Still amazed at all the different forms.

*and can you please stop talking about Oreos?? I haven't had dessert yet ah, someone can buy me a package and bring me a glass of cold milk though lol, and we could possibly share.... while sifting through these poems*

I just finished baking oreo cupcakes for my colleagues, I wonder if it was the poem that sparked that idea.

Great to read so many forms. Surprised with the variety and range of poems, good luck to the judges with it!

But no, these oreos. Seriously. Lol

I'm shocked at the variety as well, I truly thought there would be a lot of haikus or acrostics!

The poems are all great and unique... I like 5, 6, 7 and 11 out of the 14...

What are we suppossed to be commenting on Larry? And how is it going to be judged (a group of people, just the scores, vote... etc)? I guess that's why I've commented just now.

We have 3 veteran, talented judges, anonymous, who have been given the criteria I outlined in the original announcement. I have asked for their comments and scores by Sunday. Once I get them I will post them.

Remember not to post your poems to your account until the contest is over.

Re: Brit's prior issue when she commented on another contest, I do not think it is prejudicial for the judges to see other persons' comments. First of all they are all seasoned poets and commentators each in their own right. Second, it's no different from the weekly contest where each nominated poem has comments on it for the world to read.

I believe in a free and open discussion about merits of writing. I myself have changed my poems due to suggestions & feel it was for the better.

They don't even sell oreos in my town. Life sucks. It's tough living in the land of Ikea, Meatballs, and Polar Bears.

Wait, who got away with the free verse poem in the formed poetry challenge? Laaaarrrryyy, you didn't tell me there were loopholes! Jealous, jealous.

The only "form" in poetry I know is in context not structure.

Noura, your poem was beautiful & I did tell you days ahead. I am also sad it was not in time.

All that being said, your poem is astounding.

Yes, you did indeed tell me, Larry, and it was my fault the poem wasn't turned in, in time. Who said other than that? :)
And thank you for starting this contest. It made me write something & the forums are now alive again!

Can't wait to read the judges comments! I liked all the entries, especially the Liar poem.

Yeah, can't wait!

I have one judge's response & heard from another. We should have them today.
You guys will love the next challenge!

Edit: 2 judges

Should be in by the time I wake up then, I think. I love time-zones overall, it's Monday 1 AM over here, heh.