Weekly Contest Results 8-17-14

Wonderful work this week, wordsmiths. The site broke a tie for third, but you're all winners in my eyes. Thanks as always to our judges for making the weekly contest possible. Without further ado...

****WINNERS****

Ars Poetica
by Sincuna
(10) + (7) = 17

"Such a fascinating piece! I researched the title before reading and found "The Art of Poetry" is a poem written by Horace, which I have never read but learned he wrote that poetry demands unity, harmony, and using appropriate vocabulary and diction. This poem is dramatic without seeming fake or forced... several times I nodded my head, especially in the beginning with the mention of "sharing the same vein". Very potent image. I do think sharing emotions can be influential, groundbreaking, revolutionary perhaps and your transition in the second stanza, pointing out emotion's tendency to persuade us in untruth, that's powerful too. I do think we can let the pain speak for us. The emotion is real to us, but is it physical? It may seem like a dream as we have no physical ties to the aftermath of a dream. I love how you delve further into emotions playing into our mind, and use "postcards" to describe that. Indeed, emotions can author a hundred letters, there does not seem to be an end to how many emotions we can experience. Wonderful tie-in at the end with the perspective of the writer. I like how you said it can be both a selfless and selfish act as I find that true and think many people could relate. We make an honest confession, letting go of what holds us, yet is that selfish to give voice to that? To focus on us? Or is it selfless in that we are acknowledging that which held us back? The ending is eerie to me, and makes me ponder our purpose for writing. Do we write for answers, or to write through the emptiness, even for a brief moment. A captivating piece, well-written!" (10)

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"This poem blew me away. Truly beautiful. Sincuna has their own flair and vocabulary and thats something that stood out to me from the rest of the pack. The third and last stanzas were my favorite.. I love the use of continents of the mind. This poem is so original and unlike others I've read here yet something we can all relate to. I thought the beginning was interesting talking of those they havent met/experienced etc. Brought reality in a way." (7)

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When It Snows in August
by JaneDoeWrites
(10) + (7) = 17

"I read this poem again and again and each time it got me more involved
with the writer's emotion. Each stanza holds memory, feelings and all the senses
involved at that time which made it so vivid and alive. What stood out for me the
most is the second stanza. I also like how love was weaved with season and in this
case the cold winter, a simple snowflake. Beautifully penned...beautifully sad." (10)

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"A very nostalgic piece. Simply challenging the idea of it snowing in the middle of summer gives the reader a chance to imagine the unthinkable, and what else that may be beyond what we know as normal. I love how much balance you have in this piece, especially in remembering and cherishing the certain images you choose to recall. I can taste the fresh air and envision the trust you had in this person, from the closeness and the yearning to be with them each day. Beautiful wording. I also like the comparison of the mouth of the furnace to this person's heart. You have an eloquent though refreshing way of writing that you are trying to stay warm, and it's like the cold is unfamiliar to you both for awhile. The third stanza reminds me of the crafts we used to do in grade school of making snowflakes, and how each one had a different shape, displaying how unique we all are. This person graced your life in an unusual, unexpected way, and you can still feel their presence lingering. A cozy poem. I like how it is still remembrance in the last stanza, yet I feel you hold no regret, that you wouldn't trade that dedication and bond for anything... however this person exited your life, or even if you can't see them again until a certain time, you have this connection with winter because you know that time is spent with this person, and your soul can find warmth, shelter, rest." (7)

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****TIES FOR THIRD****

Addicts Anonymous
by Colm
(10) + (4) = 14

"Mr. Colm--- You sir, are so darn creative it kills me! When I first read this poem during Larry's contest I was captivated!
I applaud you for the gifted talent and rawness that you have displayed within this poem.

I have a personal connection with having a family member suffering from addictions and so when I first read this piece I started grabbing a message, relating to that. Then the metaphor hit me!

So many angles to this poem, that I was twisting and turning in many directions and when that happens I know I've got to highlight this piece!

Lying to yourself in poetry is easily done, especially when writing a sonnet (snorting sonnets is a fun and flavorful way to describe it by the way (ha!)

Normally, I'm not a fan of harsh curse words within poetry, and I'm glad you chose to Bleep out the middle portion of the word, only because it adds to the flavor of the poem and it also helps to express the pure frustration of the message itself and what you are trying to express... Well done!!" (10)

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"This is just a weird poem. So much punctuation, so much rambling/freak out moments, so much confusion.

But it works. I dont know why it does.. its one of those abstract pieces of art you find yourself spending a fortune on because it makes you feel something you just cant pinpoint. This poem is nuts and crazy and goes against the grain. ..and for that alone I love it." (4)

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Graveyards
by Melpomene
(10) + (4) = 14

"This poem can be taken in so many ways. Im not sure if this is of the past or present, but it seems like you're putting the past to rest and planting a future and vows with the current/future situation. Im in love with the actual use of graveyards etc to bring the death of a relationship to the poem. So much imagery that has your mind going in so many directions and so many ways this can be portrayed. Bringing the signature piece of all her work with adding ancient anything and this is a beautiful and thought provoking poem." (10)

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"Mel... I adore your metaphoric poetry, it's a style and category all on its own when you write my dear!

I love reading your poetry because I know I'm going to read a part of anatomy in it somewhere and I really like that...

it's fun and unique and when you are writing somber and sorrowful emotions, sometimes you need to add a touch of something different, I admire that!

I took a personal connection to this poem as well and that got me teary eyed.

It's hard to form a new relationship, possibly running into the "women before" - awkward to say the least and you captured that moment with a unique blend of writing. Love this small poem very much!!" (4)

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Despair
by Sylvia
(7) + (7) = 14

"This two stanza Rhyme poem stands out and I can't say enough about this lovely poem.

Sylvia has taken the art of rhyme and just poured out her raw emotions into each and every line.
Its difficult capturing deep emotions onto paper, let alone crafting in a rhyme scheme pattern, which you can do easily, but to make it flow and not sound forced? Well that's difficult, and she has written a beautiful and captivating piece this week.

It's a tearjerker poem, packed to the punch with a well written rhyme. Beautiful and inspiring as well, Wonderful piece by Sylvia." (7)

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"Misery and sorrow have taken my sinful soul in their clutches.
^^This opening line got me and pulled me deeper into the poem. There are
times that I've felt this way and was held in the clutches of misery and sorrow.
The thought of been locked into this prison without an escape is frighting. I feel
the desparity as well as the hopelessness the writer is going through. Touching write." (7)

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****HONORABLE MENTIONS****

Andrea (Acrostic)
by Maple Tree

"The writer has done a very good Acrostic, sounds natural when it is read, not forced which seems to be the biggest problem most people have with the form. This deals with Andrea and how she is feeling about the words she writes, she never knows if anyone reads them. She is overcome with emotion and feelings of doubt but yet baring her soul so people will know that Andrea indeed does have something to say. You can feel the doubt and tension and the pensive thoughts about her doubts. Well done, Andrea and I did gaze upon your words and read them." (10)

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2:45
by Armada the Gestalt

"Quite an intriguing piece! I like how adventurous the first stanza is, as if your soul cannot be content with living one life or looking simply through your eyes. You need to experience what others are. The repetition of the metaphor of time is done well and creates an ominous atmosphere, showing how powerless we are to stop death or even control any aspect of time. There is a bit of mystery in your words, but the second stanza reminds me of innocence, creating as a child, among nature and never thinking beyond the present. Now, as you are older, it is like you can do nothing to please reality. You try to keep promises yet they seem to break and it makes one wonder if there's a certain beauty in fading, a vulnerability we cannot change. My only suggestion: there were a few places I felt punctuation could make the meaning more clear, or when you change thought. Clever poem though. I also like how you shift the focus from saying "give me eyes to see" to seeing with your eyes and another's, to gain two perspectives. Then the end reminds me we need to stop contemplating and live our actions because there is no time for regret." (4)

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Haunt (Lanturne)
by Natalie

"Very short form but can be used to convey a strong message and/or image. You can see the tears falling fast and furious. You also know that it no longer haunts the person, that perhaps these tears are tears of joy they made it through whatever caused the tears to begin with. The writer did a good job to get this much meaning into so few words. Good job." (7)

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Aftermath
by Cassie hughes

"Time stops dead and all sounds cease.
Air thickens, cloying and almost sweet
^^The stillness in these lines kept me wondering; the wording also
creates a heavy mood clouded with a black atmosphere.

with fear.
We wait.
^^Waiting is always the worst part especially when its gripped with fear.
The unknown and its outcome deeply sets into the mind and leaves us
empty. What I like about this write is that it speaks of loss without saying what
it is, creates a somber mood without saying it. Within this short write there
is much said with feelings and imagery..well done." (4)

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Steps in the Dark
by Narph

"I am voting for this humorous poem because it struck home and brought back memories of the same situation happening in our home numerous times over the years plus it is a break from all the other sadness, bitterness, hate, etc., that has raised it ugly head in recent weeks. The writer takes us to their home, you can actually "smell" the scent and you do get that questioning look and start to look around. It is especially bad if it happens at night and you have to make a trip to the bathroom or to the kitchen for a drink of water. There really is nothing humorous about this at the time if it happens to you but later, you do laugh at yourself. Good job and thanks for the memories and for the laughs and smiles it brought to me. Thank you." (4)

Congrats all

Well done all involved

Great job everyone! Congrats winners & HM's!

Congratulations everyone - great work coming out!

Thanks judges.

Congrats all! :)

Lovely writes this week :-)

And thank you judge for such a wonderful comment and Hm ~

Thanks judges for the comments and well done to the winners and hm's :)

Thanks for the votes and comments, they are appreciated. Congratulations to the winners and hm's.

Hahaha, gotta thank Noura for nominating the poop poem.

Thanks for the HM, glad it conjured something for you. ;)

Congratulations to you all!