14 July 2014 Weekly Contest Results

This week the judges were caught by yearning, whether it was the aching for the unattainable beach enjoyed by everyone but the dutiful flight attendant, or the lovelorn abandoned one likening himself to a cast out apple core. Among the ties, which was broken by the site, the yearning holds true: a man anguishes for a daughter lost before her birth, a lover yearns to understand how god could even create the sheer essence of his love's object.

The Distant Shore by Larry Chamberlin (10+4=14 Points)
Jealousy by Saerelune (7+4=11 points)

My missing girl by Darren (10 points)

Carnival Blue by Ddavidd (10 points)
Dematerialize by Saerelune (10 points)
Bewitching Bane (Haiku) by Sylvia (10 points)

True Beauty by Britt (7 points)
Chapters Beyond the Grave by Hannah Lizette (7 points)
Blind Heart by Meena Krish (7 Points)
Upon those pretty wings by Poet on the Piano (7 points)

A Child's Hidden Agenda by Everlasting (4 points)
Reconstruction by Hannah Lizette (4 Points)
Through My Eyes by Rei Severs (4 points)

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The Distant Shore by Larry Chamberlin the Godfather (10 Points)
This echoes my life so needless to say it touched me deeply, made my soul sigh. As a young person I wanted so much to have the white cottage with a picket fence, a husband who loved me and children. Despite all odds that never happened and the search continued and the results were always the same, happiness for a short time and then reality sets in, why on earth did I think I could have happiness for the remainder of my life and once again set out on that search. Experience and growth has finally produced wisdom and I found the happiness within myself, the one place I never looked before. I realized that I did not have to have another person to find peace and be happy, I could do that. This is what your two verses made me remember today and I am grateful that I have moved past that and no longer am searching or aching, I have found my beach, me.
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The Distant Shore by Larry Chamberlin the Godfather (4 points)
Oh Larry got me crying with this poem~
So many times people give their all and forget that they too need relaxation and comfort, so I took this on a personal level and could relate.
I feel he is writing of a flight attendant perhaps and her endless hours of care and work she gives to her passengers, flying them to vacation spots and she is possibly in need of a sandy beach as well...
this poem was wonderful!
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Jealousy by Saerelune (7 points)
The opening metaphor with the rotten core of an apple set such a sad tone, like you have already established your self-worth, and you don't believe that your heart has potential for a love that can grow and learn. I liked how you brought in the aspects of sweetness and sugar, asking that this person not hold that expectation of you. There was that sense of honesty, as well as realizing you cannot be that example of happiness or glee right now. The "use me" part was heartbreaking though, especially with the lines afterward of "one should only seek darkness when light has abandoned them". It's like you have given up on yourself to the point where you are saying, here, take my dignity, take all that's left. But I think there's always a way out of the darkness, you don't have to fully succumb to it. Then the piece almost took a softer tone when you advised this person I assume you care greatly about, to not seek you, because you will only bring them down. And maybe the title keys in here with a jealous attitude, that you are trying to distance yourself from this person, this love, for the better, as maybe there are others you believe would help and encourage this person. I felt sacrifice in this piece and also brokenness, that you can't realize the good in you. We all may have rotten parts yes, but those don't define us. A truly moving piece.
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Jealousy by Saerelune (4 points)
Beautiful sadness, this metaphor is a favorite of mine! There is a sense of loneliness, but not in a bad way. More of a comforted, know-your-place sort of way. Sometimes we are forgotten and used (like the ill pastry) and people wonder why we're rotten, when we've been treated like we were, until we weren't. If that makes sense. I felt such frustration as well because it seems like the writer wanted to be forgotten. There's less disappointment their, no high expectations, no pressure. And then there is the person who is never forgotten, never abandoned, and given everything whether it's deserved or not, that you will watch from afar. This poem is so interesting to me that I had to high light it. Beautiful!
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My missing girl by Darren (10 points)
This poem nailed me from the start. Having been through a situation like this, the pain of loss floods my memory again. I also like the sentiments shared by a father for his daughter and that makes the poem more alive and touching. The ending line in this poem, "I have your memories tattooed onto my soul." goes to show that no matter how many years go by that particular loss will never depart from a parent's heart. Giving a point for such a poem makes me feel uncomfortable because loss cannot be labeled, judged or prized.
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Carnival Blue by Ddavidd (10 points)
My breath was taken away by this piece! The questioning of the mysteries and great beauties of life in the beginning was touching, and filled your verses with wonder and awe. To me, the imagery almost held a spiritual tone, mixed with the nature tones as well. As if we cannot explain everything, how this world came to be, because we are human, and it almost seems divine, what we witness. I liked the contrasts as well that you showed, such as "majestic pose" from thorns from a bleeding rose, and bright flames from "pitch black coals". I loved how your stanzas transitioned, shifting to the purity of this woman who is unaware of how her beauty is reflected. The reverence in your verses was gorgeous, as well as the gentleness when you mentioned this woman, especially with these lines: "Like God who created the world alone from the reminiscence of your kiss".... how innocent and pure! The intensity of your emotions and admiration of this woman was felt when you kept asking how the creation of the world was possible without her kiss, without her touch. How you could possibly live and free your own soul from worldly things, without revering her. Romantic and sincere piece.
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Dematerialize by Saerelune (10 points)
Every reader can relate to what if's, and these poems have really beautiful metaphors and images. I love how the writer talks of decomposing to the night. We don't exist until we do, and it gave a beautiful image. This poem is so packed full of images throughout the poem but my favorite was the first stanza, and shaking dust from sleeping bags. Interesting they didn't use sand instead of dust, because later discuss the ocean. It would've tied together, however I think it was intentional and lovely - shake off the dust (from elsewhere) and move on to another thing, deeper than before. This poem definitely made me think, and I'd love to know the actual intention behind it. Beautiful!
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Bewitching Bane (Haiku) by Sylvia (10 points)
I decided to grant this breathtaking Haiku as my 10 choice this week, it's hands down one of the prettiest and creative Haikus I have read in quite some time.
Haiku's are small yes, but can be tricky to write, due to the syllable restriction but also, the wording has to be captivating, exciting and unique and Sylvia has done that and much more with this piece.
I was mesmerized by the wording of this poem, and I am also drawn to poisonous flowers for some reason so I couldn't help but get sucked into this piece.
The title ties in nicely with this piece as well Truly beautiful piece this week by Sylvia !
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True Beauty by Britt (7 points)
A poem that reaches out and speaks to every woman young and old. Its inspiring, moving with touches of God's purpose for creating women. There is beauty in everything a woman does, whether happy or sad, pain or joy along with all the pluses and minuses; we as women keep walking through it all. I also like the message which points out to be oneself and not change for others to like let alone accept you. I especially love the final message of this write. We are who we are shaped up with the lessons of life and blessings of God.
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Chapters Beyond the Grave by Hannah Lizette (7 points)
This poem is so intriguing to me. I instantly picture an old, haunted house with an old man who had such a troubled childhood or early adulthood that he gave up on everyone and everything. He wrote away his life rather than lived it with others and collected dust. He allowed the roots to take hold. But at the same time he still wanted to love and be loved, as we all do. That's exactly what I felt when I read this poem, and it was beautiful. I love your wording and placement as well!
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Blind Heart by Meena Krish (7 Points)
The grief of either a "death of a loved one" or the "death of a relationship" at times does hide anger and we do not express it or show it to the world "because that would not be proper". We feel guilt because we dare to feel the anger. We have the anger because we see the love was full of lies, we have been taken on an emotional roller coaster, our hearts blinded by the words of love uttered by our "mate", we were fooled by their smiles and we are left with the remnants of the dreams of how the relationship was in our minds versus how it really was. This just feeds that anger that hides beneath our grief. Another writer who has used simple words to express the emotions and feelings and it works. It is understandable and as a reader makes me say, yes I have felt that way before, I can relate.
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Upon those pretty wings by Poet on the Piano (7 points)
I truly felt like I was growing wings while reading this poem. Maryanne has a unique way of splashing color, life and elegance within her poetry and this piece is at the top of her list!
This life inspiring poem is filled with unique word display and visuals that left me spellbound.
"summon my bones" <---------
very powerful line here.. that got me thinking on so many different angles.
I truly feel this poem ties in nicely with Martin Luther Kings quote " I have a dream" and if he were alive today I think he would agree with me! It's an uplifting piece.. just lovely!
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A Child's Hidden Agenda by Everlasting (4 points)
A short narrative packed with action and emotions! It felt like I was running along with the child and the imagery just springs forth with pain and breath taking emotions. What makes this write even better are the eye catching lines for instance:
Bushes quivering to barks,
as footsteps splash fear into walls,
His shirt soaked with adrenaline
All for the sake of sprinting
the long walk to freedom.
Excellent piece of work here and wish I could give out more points!!
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Reconstruction by Hannah Lizette (4 Points)
What is not clear to me nor does it make a big difference is whether the "lost love" died or the relationship ended. In either case the writer has expressed emotions that we do feel when this happens. We think about how it was, how we directed the "relationship", things that we did together, how we hurt now, can we "reconstruct" our lives since that love is no longer in it. The writer has expressed all these emotions and feelings in simple words that ring true and that most can relate to. It is how real people think and feel including me. People can relate to the emotions and feelings of the poem.
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Through My Eyes by Rei Severs (4 points)
This was a very reflective piece, and I liked the whole aspect of being "outside and looking in", like we know we have free will and control over our life yet sometimes we feel unable to dictate actions, or regulate certain emotions. Lovely flow here and this poem invoked many important questions in me as well. Can we simply choose to change, restart? It reminded me of the quote I've heard before that your circumstances do not define you, you can overcome them. Like whatever happened in the past, or whatever memories keep playing in your head, or when we will feel all we can do is sin because we are imperfect humans with a tendency to make mistakes often. A poem filled with doubts, desire to change, and wanting almost a light to be shown that there is more. These ending lines "I refuse to care, I refuse to cry" especially reached me, as we often get stuck in that time where we don't have care or concern for ourselves or for the world around us, so we then feel numb. But all this will hopefully pass. Take each day at a time.

Thanks to the judges for my win and your wonderful comments, and congratulations to the other wins & HMs. Thanks also to Andrea for nominating the poem.

Also, to the second judge, yes, it is a flight attendant, my wife, who spends her days looking out the port windows at crystal waters and beautiful beaches & then turns to serve her unruly passengers.

Congrats all!!

Congratulations, everyone.

Larry, I'm in love with your poem. <3

Thanks to Larry. Thanks to the judge for the nice heartfelt comment and for taking time to READ my poem, and also for reading it diligently.
And likewise to darling Maple

Congrats

Thank you judges for the understanding in your comments.

Congrats all

You are very welcome Larry and Mr. Swan :-)

Beautiful poetry this week everyone! Congratulations!!

Congratulations winners & Hm's! Thank you Larry for posting and thank you judge for the vote and comment. Appreciate it.

Haha thanks for having the ears for swan songs.
Those very ears are very rare.

Thanks for the HM! :)

Thank you for the Hm.

Congratulations and thanks for the HM and the very nice comment on the poem. Thanks Judge!!

Thanks judges for the two HM's and wonderful comments! :)

Congrats to all! <3

Thanks Judges

nice to share the front page with Larry and Cynnie.

Congrats to the winners and HM's and thank you for the HM.

Well done everyone :)