Weekly Contest results of 11 August 2014

Once again gloom prevails in the judges' selections. From the subtle depiction of an addict who's beyond the payment of further tolls to the nihilistic wandering of Luce in the symbolic abandoned structures of society. Even the site opted for gloom, as it broke a tie choosing the broken bottle relationship of Saerelune's Moments over the daring to believe in the improbable Hero who'd be Piloting greatness with POTP. Congratulations to the winners! Thanks Judges for having all the votes in early enough to dump the public votes before damage could be done.

Chain Smoker by Hannah Lizette - 10+7+4=21 points
Barren, Forsaken Stations by Everlasting - 10+7=17 points
Moments by Saerelune - 7+4=11 points

Piloting by Poet on the Piano - 7+4=11 points

Blue Lips by Alexandra - 10 points
Picture Perfect by Chelsey - 10 points
These Days by Rabea - 10 points

Poison by Dead Soul - 7 points
Sombrely Sounds by Baby Rainbow - 4 points
Unequivocal Tyrany by Maher - 4 points

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Chain Smoker by Hannah Lizette - 10 points.
'This poem stood out as a clear winner for me this week. I was glad to see it pop up on the nomination page after seeing it for one of the challenges on the boards earlier in the week. What I liked most is how the poem manages to effortlessly, but brilliantly, describe something without saying it directly. The ending line is excellent: 'What does it matter now anyway?' - This tells the reader many things. Most importantly, it tells how the grandfather has terminal cancer, probably caused by smoking. It also gives an insight into the character of the man: I can imagine a defiant, independent man who probably realises his mistakes but doesn't get too hung up on them. He wants to live the last of his life being himself and apparently smoking is something he has always done and will always do. Its such an unusual and original way to portray cancer, and it also comes across as very real. The poet doesn't use complicated words and descriptions: the reader gets the sense that cancer is what it is. Great job on this poem and certainly deserving of 10 points this week I feel'

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Chain Smoker by: Hannah Lizette - 7 points
The reality of this addiction is covered so well here, and it makes my heart ache for those battling it, and feeling they are tied to it and cannot recover, or don't find the worth in it. You introduce this man and his actions and though he is a stranger to me, I feel sorrow. I like how you also show the reader, and I can imagine him and the ashtray, almost as if he reveres it and they have a companionship. Though the relationship you have with this man is not mentioned, it makes me think he is someone you have known and care deeply for. That you already know his story, don't have to criticize since he realizes what you mean with that one look. That this is never what you wanted for him. The effect of having just one line of dialogue at the end make it more painstakingly real, that he feels this is all there is, and what is the point when he's already done so much damage? Sad piece indeed.

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Chain Smoker by Hannah Lizette - 4 points
Top poem in my opinion on the subject of Cancer!
Hannah has penned the true look at the addiction of smoking, what it can lead to (cause and effect) and how after diagnosis, the person feels in regards to smoking. It's written in an excellent way and I very much admire this piece, well done by Hannah this week!

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Barren, Forsaken Stations by: Everlasting - 10 points
I love the idea of the "barren, forsaken stations" that poets must struggle through. You give this poem spark and a refreshing look at human nature and how we respond as writers to the world around us. The depth in this is astounding, especially since you do not mention specifics, but the "inner and global wars" are witnessed by all. We do allow our emotions to manipulate us. What I received from this poem is that sometimes we impede true inspiration by writing based on frustration and difference in opinion. The metaphor of time shows me we use and abuse time, we don't let inspiration come or wait for patience or wisdom, we try to start everything, thinking our words will be a fix or a solution. A very mature, contemplative write. The two ending lines connect to the concept of war and how we "defend" ourselves in everyday lives, that maybe once we put down the defenses, we can welcome life and embrace inspiration. Excellent write!

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Barren, Forsaken Stations by Everlasting - 7 points
When I read the title it gave me an empty feeling and made me want to read this poem and sure enough it made me as a reader to feel that emptiness. With all the upheaval that is going on life too runs along with it and at one time or the other we are going to feel the burn as we see the future fade. There is a lot packed in this write which made me stop at each stanza and really think what life is all about.

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Piloting by Poet on the Piano - 7 points
'I thought this poem worked well from start to finish. It had a consistent overall theme but each stanza had its own sub-topic and the poem in this sense was well organised and structured. I like how we get an insight into the poet's mind in this poem: I think many people can relate to the desire to find the right partner to share their lives with, and it is a very personal thing. It was described in a very interesting way though for me in this poem: It was both specific and metaphorical at the same time and yet we had no trouble imagining the person described. I think he may be singular but different to each reader, with each reader having their own perceptions in certain unique ways. I like how the poet describes how the person she describes would be full of vigor and life: That he could reach out and express in real-life situations and not just on paper. That he is somebody that the poet would be so comfortable with, that they could share anything, be on the same page, and inspire each other in different ways and I think this is as good a representation of desired love as I have seen on here for a while. Well done'

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Piloting by Poet on the Piano - 4 points
"This writer is one of the only ones who can write "long" poems and keep my interest piqued the entire time. The first stanza drew me right in and held my attention the whole way through. This is a woman with expectations and standards, high but attainable. So many people don't know who they are or what they want and make unmanageable mistakes in life - but when you have a very specific idea, and you don't settle for less, you receive a beautiful gift. This was a beautiful poem, and to be honest I had to draw out of a hat between my 7/4 spots, lol. This was awesome and detailed and lovely."

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Moments by Saerelune - 7 points
"I feel like I can take this poem two different ways depending on how I feel, and I really like that aspect. It was short and simple, yet detailed and frenzied. The writer showed a lot of pain in this poem in just a few lines, yet seemingly summed up their entire relationship. I love the part about hearts on shuffle, and glass will still scar. It's not always easy, especially the pain, and when people don't fit, they just don't fit. No matter what. This was beautiful!"

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Moments by: Saerelune - 4 points
I always find this author's tone to be profound, and to create an almost startling atmosphere that speaks loudly to the reader. There is such a tangible sadness in this relationship, the abuse and allowing that abuse to continue. It reminds me of the lies we tell ourselves, the cycle of the man saying "I'm sorry" to the partner believing and convincing herself it won't happen again. Then, when it does, she may justify it or think she cannot escape it now. The image of this man zipping up her ribcage is so stark and personal, dangerous in that he has physically hurt her, possibly even life threatening. The vulnerability of her is obvious here as well, especially with her just wanting release from the voices in her head, maybe those that tell her she deserves this versus those that say she needs to get away. The ending is quite depressing but I like how clear you make it to the reader that they don't want help, this is the self-destructive path they chose and it gives this feeling of helplessness. That there will still be scars, and as long as they keep throwing away their identity instead of rebuilding it, these scenes will replay. Well-written.

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Blue Lips by Alexandra - 10 points
"This poem got the most points from me this week because the amount of detail pushed into it. Some say poetry needs to be abstract and as a writer, you have to bring the person to their own conclusion, but I don't think that's necessarily true. Sometimes when you're feeling something, so detailed and specific, and you can literally make someone else feel and see what you do - that's amazing. This poem is also something most of us can relate to - noticing someone and being unable to form anything human sounding to catch your nerve. I really enjoyed this poem!"

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Picture Perfect by Chelsey - 10 points
This metaphoric, love/relationship poem is beautiful by Chelsey this week!
The metaphor of paintings, sculpting and creativity is just wonderful! I can't say enough about this poem.. The feelings are mixed and matched, intertwined and it's very colorful. The visual display is very exciting as well. I can see a couple painting together, forming a friendship and turning into love by the end. It's also an inspirational poem about the budding of a relationship in my opinion. Very classy and detailed! Well done!

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These Days by Rabea - 10 points
What this world has come to, what is happening to out generation and what will become of the future is laid out in this poem. The heartaches, misery, death and exploitation which is seen, heard/unheard sometimes even ignored is written and heartfelt. Each stanza stands out on its own with images that is seen and heard. A moving write of the times we are living in.

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Poison by Dead Soul - 7 points
Dead Soul knows how to present a dark poem! He crafted this piece with raw and in your face feelings of how a dark love can be. It's elegant and tasteful and yet right to the point. He writes of the dark side of a broken relationship and how it can turn sad... His rhyme scheme is very rhythmic and powerful.. All and all, a unique and delightful dark poem, oozing with richness!

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Sombrely Sounds by Baby Rainbow - 4 points
Now here is a write that is not only written well but it also holds an image for the reader. The writer has used words beginning with the letter "S" and at the same time written it in a way that makes sense. As for the write itself, it holds a deep sadness that has been portrayed in a beautiful way. The loneliness and longing is captured within this write...lovely.

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Unequivocal Tyrany by Maher - 4 points
'This poem caught my eye as it was something different. I think it is tough in general to write a good political poem or a poem about a topical or current issue, but I think the poet succeeds here. It isn't a perfect poem, but I do think it is a good one. Some of the descriptions are very original, e.g. the image of a bomb 'flowering' - very interesting and effective description. The poem manages to paint a picture of the current situation in Gaza: dusty, half-bombed buildings, how leaders pull the stings and how civilians suffer, etc. Also, I think rhyming poems in general can be difficult but for the most part, the rhyme worked well here and it flowed pretty well throughout. There is quite a lot of emotion packed into the poem and an almost desperate tone that mirrors the desperation of the situation itself. Well done.'

Congratulations winners and HM's! Thank you Larry for posting, and judges for the HM.... was not expecting that at all and I appreciate it :]

Congrats all

Congrats to all the winners, and HMs. I will try to check out these poems as soon as I can.

Thanks judges, tough choices this week.

Aye, thanks for the hardowrk judges
and thx for the HM as well
nice to be @ it again

Thanks for the HM... congrats winners!!!

Thanks so much judges for your votes and lovely comments! <3

Congrats to all! :)

Wow thank you for those comments!

And congratulations everyone.