Weekly Contest Results 07-20-15

All 5 judges submitted their votes and comments to the joint moderator account not only on time, but ahead of time! This situation is rare, but it means that I'm able to reveal next week's winners 12 hours before their names and poems even grace the front page. It's like looking into the future -_- nnnnggg

Thank you, judges, for doing your jobs beautifully. Congratulations to Larry, Ben, and Maryann on your wins!

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WINNERS:
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Leaving Slowly - Fears of Unknowing by Larry Chamberlin the Godfather
21 points

I Am A Living Tempest by Ben Pickard
21 points

Genie, please grant me a prayer. by Poet on the Piano
20 points

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HONORABLE MENTIONS:
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Beyond the Solstice by Larry Chamberlin the Godfather

Tease My Eyes Then Leave Me Behind. by Ben Pickard

Savoir-Faire by Maple Tree

Reflecting by Ssenevol

Full Circle (triple etheree) by Mr Darcy

Stardust and Nebula. by Rings of Poetry AKA Naughtymouse

Tags by Poet on the Piano

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COMMENTS FOR WINNERS:
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Leaving Slowly - Fears of Unknowing
by Larry Chamberlin the Godfather
21 pts

"This was not only written in the flawless style of this author, it captured something anyone over fifty should relate to and even impressed some younger folks." (10)

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"Sigh...
Oh Larry, sometimes your poems hit my hard so hard that I find it hard to recover from, and this is one of those times. I knew what to expect from the poem just by reading the titles, I hesitated but then decided to read it.
I know age and life has a lot to do with it but still I never saw you in that light, as being tired or simply exhausted. Am used to the funny serious side of you so to have a glimpse of whats going on in your head just gave me a sense of sadness. We are so lucky to have someone like you in here.." (7)

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"I have to say this poem was such a sad truth. The first stanza was a bit too slow for me to be captivated immediately, but it was the ending stanza that brought this all together for me. I like the beginning and the end both giving examples of forgetfulness and how it's basically a sign of aging and life running out. Scary to think about. But then again, quite beautiful to think about how much a person has to go through in life, both good and bed, to get to that place. I say beautiful because reflecting life will always be beautiful to me. What I also liked in this piece was the tone was not entirely obvious. Though a sad topic I'd say, I felt the frustration. Even took me back to watching my grandparents and even parents get frustrated when forgetting things they walked into the kitchen for. ... Though not a heavily detailed poem, this was well written and I enjoyed." (4)

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I Am A Living Tempest
by Ben Pickard
21 pts

"Again this poet grabs my attention. The title felt intriguing as to why would the writer refer to himself as a tempest. The first verse was my weak point and my favorite thing in this poem. The vulnerability he was willing to show and the way he pleaded for his loved one to stay. Sometimes we feel that we are at the edge of something and we need the other person to balance us, to keep us grounded, and to remind us of who we are.
I loved how the writer carried his feelings through the poem, and how at the end of it he found that his inner turmoil is way too much to handle. And thats how the title came to place. Perfect poem that will remain in my favorites for sure." (10)

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"This one had me at the first stanza, but the natural disaster line blew me away." (7)

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"I like the way Ben starts by talking about something that is dragging him down and making him unable to move or live but doesn't state the problem specifically, although I gather it's about someone or something he is very close to.

The repeated use of the weather- storms, sun, clouds, are consistent enough to really allow you to gauge his mood but not so consistent that it becomes too repetitive. Mentioning an orb of hope makes me feel like he is feeling desperate within himself to be able to pull through although he is starting to believe he is too weak to overcome this problem.

The last few lines made me think he is talking to/about depression? I could be way off; but that's where I ended up after the mention of the storm being inside his head and really the sun never left combined with the shadows in his head being long earlier.

Moving piece and written well." (4)

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Genie, please grant me a prayer.
by Poet on the Piano
20 pts

"Maryanne, this here is a masterpiece. I don't know if you struggled to pull your stanzas together, but if so I couldn't tell . The way the characters soul was poured out in each verse was so captivating. The first stanza being somewhat dark I wasn't sure where this poem was going, but the second stanza , wow! Loved the details there, their perfect vision of God being a genie. The third stanza I fell in love with, with the use of numbers to tie in the whole Genie analogy...and NOT being cliche wishes made this so good. The ending was superb. You're so good at topics like this, it's always a hint of dark, but the creativity in your pieces are never over powered by anything creepy. Touch of desperation, touch of sad, and the end was a dose of just harsh reality. Well written!" (10)

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"MaryAnne has such an ethereal way with words that I sometimes wonder if there is anything that she wouldn't be able to write about beautifully. The mention of the skin being clung to rather enforces the subject in the first few lines and whilst it is always a tricky subject to write about, MA does so very well.

The second verse is both enticing and sublime. There's so much colour and imagery here that everything becomes very easy to visualize, coupled with the tinge of pain and it's one beautiful verse, as is the entire poem.

I liked the mention of three wishes, it ties in very well with the mention of genies and treasure chests, I wonder if that was an intentional number because we mostly always get offered three wishes in movies.

'illusions are poison we must ease out of our minds' I love this. More people need to remember this when life gets in the way and bogs them down with painful things. Our mind is always the worst culprit for our actions and reactions and that's summed up here in so little words.

As always, stunning work." (10)

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COMMENTS FOR HONORABLE MENTIONS:
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Beyond the Solstice
by Larry Chamberlin the Godfather
10 pts

"Starting by the Tip of this poem, the title was very tempting and eye-catchy, not many are working on their title choices in the past period of time, and this has been a catcher. As for the content, other than its classy tone of poetry and depth, this poem unfolds the writers emotions infront of the reader in a tight manner leaving the reader uncertain how this is piece will end.

I am very fond of the word choice and wording, as well as the coherence in its general structure.

A touching poem with a beautiful imagination. It's very beautiful to see how nature can connect to humans and move their emotions and thoughts.

Really a very beautiful poem." (10)

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Tease My Eyes Then Leave Me Behind.
by Ben Pickard
7 pts

"For the first attempt, I was uncertain about my feelings toward this poem, but then the more I read the more I felt the connection between your form, style, tone and emotion and that of old poetry, and the more I appreciated the content and worth of this piece.

There is some very clear effort spent on this poem, and although the opening lines could be made strong with some wording edits, but I see that piece stands out and has a very praise worthy content.

Touching and sad. Well done." (7)

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Savoir-Faire
by Maple Tree
4 pts

"A very relatable poem, touching simple and neat.

The imagery is what most stood out for me, and the main reason that made me feel like this poem is worthy of recognition was its authenticity, often personal poems are dairy-like structured, not necessarily poorly structured but rarely so vivid yet so deep.

Hats off; endearing." (4)

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Reflecting
by Ssenevol
4 pts

"This one hit the spot in personifying self knowledge . The mirror knows me as well." (4)

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Full Circle (triple etheree)
by Mr Darcy
7 pts

"Wow! I have to admit it's been a while since I read a triple etheree, these are not easy and take patience and a lot of thinking to pen. I am so deeply amazed at the detail in this very formed piece of poetry and what I loved even more, is how you could end such a simple life on nature that we don't even view that beautifully. In fact, I myself am scared of birds so I am amazed I voted for this lol.

My absolute favorite thing in this piece, was the simile of the Calligrapher!!! That was so brilliant , so elegant, so poetic, so unique, you have mad kudos from me for that line alone.

Well done on the form again, I admire formed poetry, even more so when they turn out this perfect." (7)

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Stardust and Nebula.
by Rings of Poetry AKA Naughtymouse
7 pts

"This author is becoming a fast favourite of mine. The beauty in his poems amazes me and succeeds in making me smile every time I read something from him.

'I miss that wickedness In your glance' such an intriguing opening and after reading the entire poem I believe the author references of times past when there was a playful wickedness between him and the person he is writing about.

I'm not usually a fan of using the sea or sky etc to mention the blue-ness of someone eyes as it often becomes over used and somewhat cliche; but I think it worked well here possibly because of the exact specifics mentioned throughout, and I adore the phrasing of dance on stardust. Makes me think of pixies dust and childhood memories and movies.

The last line makes me think that he is pining over a loved one, he is alone again and feeling numb and lonely. Quite a surprising turn given the rest of the poem; but that only makes it better as it is unexpected.

Lovely work." (7)

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Tags
by Poet on the Piano
4 pts

"Wow! In those short lines you managed to give us a full story of how you felt. It is hard when you are the one hanging around waiting to be remembered or acknowledged. Not knowing if you were let go of or not. Not being given a proper goodbye or simply a proper explanation. I hate situations like this but in life we sometimes come across such things." (4)

/grats all

Wow, thank you judges and Jane! Awesome work and congrats to all. Thank you, judges, for the comments :)

I almost feel like not responding, for thinking I'll jinx the next 12 hours.

But really, thanks judges (4!) for your comments.

Thanks also for all the judges doing such a great & timely job. Hope you keep it up. Thanks Jane for brightening my Sunday by posting this early.

Congrats to Ben & MaryAnn. I especially am happy that Ben has this win. Congrats to the HMs as well.

First off, congratulations to the two other winners - both outstanding pieces - and to the HMs which I've read most of.
Secondly, many thanks to Larry for those kind words - they mean a lot; nice to have a legitimate win this time, lol!
And thirdly, many thanks again to the time and effort put in by the judges!

Congrats everyone and thank you for the HM as usual i had my head in the lcouds so i didnt even know i was nominated, but thank you Ben for pointing it out :) smiley face

Congratulations Winners and Hm's another pick of Stella poems this week!!!

Judges did awesome this week!! keep up the good work and I might as well sneak a quick thanks to Crystal for nominating and to the judge who wrote such nice comments on my piece, thank you so much it was really nice to read :)