Weekly Contest Winners 28/07/2014

Congratulations to the winners and HM's this week and a big thanks to our judges for their dedication, time and effort.

It looks as though the judges had difficulty choosing between from the amount of poems Colm had nominated this week! Colm ended up with a 17 point win while also receiving another 15 points in HM's. A nice welcome back to the site for Nor aka The Princess with a 14 point win and of course a congratulations to Noura, receiving 20 points for a vent that was both poetic and thought-provoking. All nominations this week made for excellent late night reading.

Just as a side note, I'm still waiting on one judge's comments. Once I get them I'll add them in so keep an eye out.

WINNERS:
A vent by nourayasmine 10 + 10 = 20
Back Down South by Colm: 7 + 10 = 17
Nubilose by The Princess 7 + 7 = 14

HM's:
Existance of a shadowless angels by Shanky Abissah 10
Our Time Will come by Maher 10
Fishmerman, in the Lake of Love by Everlasting 7
North Star by Colm 7
There wasn't you by Colm 4
Teardrop by Colm 4
Wading Through Waterfalls and Feelings by Hannah Lizette 4
Red by Maged 4
I miss call your name by Meena Krish 4

COMMENTS:

A vent by nourayasmine: 10 + 10 = 20

Comment 1:

Noura, what can I say? Your poetry truly amazes me! You have captivated, inspired and humbled the reader with this poem.. I cried through the entire poem and am not afraid to admit that. "You have shed light upon war, devastation, murder and mayhem- adding a very classy and yet "In your face" look at the feelings and emotions that come with true gut wrenching sorrow that is being shed upon this world. This poem needs to be spread worldwide ( It is by being shared upon this site) however it needs to be sent to every media coverage as well... I can't say enough... Top poem on this site to date! (10)

Comment 2:

The emotion stirring within this piece is something that cannot be contained, and something I cannot even fully grasp because I am not the one living in this fear, witnessing death everywhere I go. I have found with a lot of your poetry that you have a few lines that are "staccato", and you speak without sugarcoating, as directly as you can. I love that as it may be painful to read, I know it is not an exaggeration and that words still cannot express the horror of this violence. The opening line of "this isn't a painting" introduces the poem so well, capturing the reality that we all may protect our eyes from. It's not abstract; it's real. The third stanza is overwhelming in its intensity, and it is something I remember the most. "Don't write about freedom if you're home." How true is that? We talk and speak at how blessed we are of these freedoms, yet we may not know what it is like to live without them. The ending is more soft and I like how you write about beauty, still believing in it and searching it, wanting to embrace it once more. A seriously breathtaking write! (10)

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Nubilose by The Princess: 7 + 7 = 14

Comment 1:
I admire how your title ties in with the poem so well, painting that cloudy mood, and the earnestness in this piece. Your word choice is incredibly unique... "verdurous" automatically reminds me of a young love that once bloomed, then how you idealized this person and believed they were your true inspiration for writing. I like how you aren't ashamed to ask the question of "will you pray for me?" It's like you are at this low point, filled with doubt, and you reach out with a small voice. I also like how you mention how your land does not have a "precise linguistic definition" of love; there was no promise that it would last or any promise that you would not lose love. The reference to Prometheus is neat and not what I expected at the end. I have not studied much Greek mythology, but I know the basic story of Prometheus giving fire to man yet he was punished, though he protected man and gave many gifts. Very well-written! (7)

Comment 2:
The vocabulary in this poem is what made me fall in love. It's wordy without being wordy, if that makes sense (not stuffy). I immediately felt like this was a woman who had to flee her country, and change everything about herself for her own safety. I love the part about the painting. There is memory and sadness here that is just incredible. I've read this poem probably fifteen times and fall in love a little bit more each time it's read. Beautifully written! (7)���

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Back Down South by Colm: 7 + 10 = 17

Comment 1

Very nice write. Had I not known that Colm was from Ireland, I would have assumed he was born and raised in the Southwestern US. The words seem so natural as they are read, nothing forced and no sign of an Irish accent/influence at all. Seems like the story of a young couple newly married, a faded red convertible car and the happy times associated with the car. Now it seems that the "relationship" is over and that car is sitting under a cover almost forgotten but not quite. He takes the cover from the car and as he sits there relives the love they had and he always sits facing South. That in itself could have two meanings, one that for some reason the actual direction South was important and the other is when a relationship goes "South". Nice work. (7)

Comment 2:

What a creative poem about Texas country from an Irishman! The fact that I feel he really grasped the culture so easily in this poem was really interesting for me! I laughed at the thought of veering off left when trying to help navigate the map, as it's a common occurrence in a vehicle with me! This was truly just a feel good poem with a lot of integrity and character built into it, and I love every aspect of it. Great ending, wrapped up nicely but not abrupt. The images were spot on and I imagined myself living in a country song. Love this! (10)

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Existance of a shadowless angels by Shanky Abissah: 10

There is much to take from this poem, I don't even know where to start. It also points out the limitations of writing a poem versus a story/novel. We try hard to keep the message, make it a smooth read and at the same time add meaning to a poem; whereas a novel gives the reader access to everything. But there are still some secrets that not all writes can bring out nor label a person saying this is how she/he lived or is. There is depth to this write and the writer's voice can be heard. My favourite line in this: "Life is never a fully explained poetry, that's why they write novels of it." Loved this read. (10)

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Our Time Will Come by Maher: 10

I am not going to try and analyze every word or meaning/message of this poem. It is one of the best I have read on the site in a very long time. Professionally presented and reminds me of some of the old masters of poetry (Keats, Blake, Coleridge, especially Shelley to name a few). The title implies that time will come for two people who love each other to be together and/or it also could be about turmoil in world and the experiences of people during that time and in the end after all is said and done, their time will come to live in peace. I have not nor can I do this justice with comments that I might make so my final comment is that this write is worthy of gracing the front page of P&Q. I hope everyone will read this and enjoy as much as I did (10)

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Fishmerman, in the Lake of Love by Everlasting: 7

This write has a mystical as well as a haunting feel to it. It talks about how the fisherman uses the lake to catch all the fishes and not appreciate the lake instead bathing in all the glory and satisfaction he gets. Finally, the lake decides to keep/take him in her own way. I feel this poem has a message; that we as humans at times don't appreciate what we have or been given until it claims us. I also like how the lake was given a voice, character and feeling. Well penned. (7)

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North Star by Colm: 7

Colm- For such a small poem, this piece is packed with over 10 stanzas of emotion... brilliant poem! I took it on a personal level and so I cried with emotion. Being there for the one you love and or care for can be taxing, you do it because the love is unconditional and pure.. just being there, always... very emotional poem!On a technical writing perspective, I was in awe! Visual displays are hard to express in small poems and you have done that and more with this piece... well done! (7)

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Teardrop by Colm: 4

I thought it appropriate to listen to the song that inspired the title for your poem, hoping it would add to the atmosphere you created. I've heard this song before and feel it's nostalgic, and quite mellow. Your repetition of "the way you/your..." is reflective and gives this poem character. I feel like the connection you have with this person is unique and something so strong, like this person cares for you even in unexplainable ways. The little facial gestures show that concern or distaste for the things you may do without knowing, forgetting to clean up something or drinking a beer, but the beauty of love is it is a sacrifice. You work on things together, even if one person doesn't like what the other does, it's only the small things, small battles to decide to let go. The ending is heart-wrenching and so abrupt. The effect of "I can't, I can't" shows me how your pain cannot be measured, that however this love passed away, that you are helpless now to bring them back. That teardrop signifies that love and desire to be united again. Profound write, Colm! (4)

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Wading Through Waterfalls and Feelings by Hannah Lizette: 4

Feelings go hand in hand with nature, and Hannah has captivated me this week. What a dazzling, metaphoric nature poem! "nature's own baptism."----------- What a line!! The flow of this poem is seriously a waterfall of emotions which is why the title is perfect! The nature tones and display alone are why this is one of the top poems this week and then you add in the metaphoric message and it could clearly be posted as a love poem as well... I admire creativity in a poem, this piece here is packed with it!! well done Hannah! (4)

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Red by Maged: 4

An interesting and creative write by the author. The writer has used the concept of a mother and child to bring out the feelings of a saddened apple and its plight; with the tree (the mother) as a guide. I also like the language used here which makes the read more effective. Well written! (4)

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I miss calling your name by Meena Krish: 4

When someone we love dies or even when a relationship ends, there are no words that can express the pain that we feel at the time. We think about the fact the person is no longer here and that is unbearable and unbelievable to us. We cannot believe that we will never be able to call their name and have them appear or answer us. It is something that we miss so much. Meena has conveyed the anguish and the pain with her words. Nice work. (4)

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There Wasn't You by Colm: 4

This poem pretty much shattered my heart. Sad poems are hard to get through emotionally as it is, but when you write of a funeral and write it just so eloquently, with sadness and beauty, it's heartbreaking. This poem definitely tugged at my emotions in ways the other poems on the list hadn't. I love the part about listening to myself listening to the hymns and prayers. What a gorgeous concept. Truly a beautifully crafted poem. (4)

Congratulations.

Congratulations all. Great poems. Thanks Mel and judges

Congrats all, beautiful poetry this week!

Thanks so much judge for your HM and comment. <3

So happy to see so much variety, although I don't envy the judges having to pick between them!

Great job all.

Well done judges xx

Thank you for the comments, judges!
Congrats to Colm and Nor, and all H'Ms. Enjoyed reading your work.

And thanks, Mel, for posting.

Thanks judges forbthe kind words and hard work! Well done Noura amd Nor and the hm's, and thanls to Saffie for her great challenge which brought me out of my poetic hibernation :)

Wow, congrats winners & HM's! Thanks for posting Mel!

Remaining comments have been added, thanks to the judge for getting them to me!

Why are you thanking them they are late!? :):)

haha I know, Larry already answered this.